HAMILTON, N.Y. (1/20/2010) – Colgate head volleyball coach Ryan Baker has added four high school standouts to his program’s roster for the upcoming seasons, it was announced Wednesday.
Caitlin Cremin (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS), Kaylee Fifer (Lantana, Texas/John H. Guyer HS), Lexi Finger (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport HS), and Lindsay Young (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep) will be joining the Raiders’ program beginning August, 2010.
“This is another very strong recruiting class for our program. Each of them plays for and contributes to some of the most successful club programs in the country,” said Baker. “Their passion for the game, competitive drive, and commitment to their teammates is what I noticed immediately while recruiting them. This group’s athletic ability has received a great deal of attention from the volleyball community. Their lists of prestigious accolades are most certainly well-deserved.
“We are also very proud of what they have accomplished in the classroom. Their academic success hasn't gone unnoticed either,” continued Baker. “They have received numerous national merit awards as well. We expect this group to make a big splash for us.”
Cremin, a 5-8 libero, finished her career at Naperville North ranked among the top five all-time in digs and service aces. A 2009 first team all-DuPage Valley Conference honoree, she served as team captain for Coach Jennifer Urban and helped lead her squad to its second consecutive league title. As a senior, she posted the third highest dig total (377) and the fifth highest ace total (55) for a single-season. With Cremin on the varsity roster for three years, Naperville North posted a combined record of 96-18. She was the recipient of the 2009 FIGHT Award and was a four-time academic all-conference performer. Cremin is a member of the prestigious Sports Performance 18-Elite Club team.
"Caitlin makes the game of volleyball look easy. Her attention to detail is so much fun to watch,” said Baker. “She takes care of the ball with such pride. She came to our camp this summer and truly blew us away with her vocal presence, hard-nosed defense and desire to get better with every rep. She is going to certainly improve our back row in many different ways."
Fifer, a 5-8 setter, posted 312 kills, 209 digs, 813 assists, 60 blocks, and a team best .258 hitting percentage for Coach Jennifer Bramlett in the 2009 season at John H. Guyer High School. As a senior, she received several honors among which included being named the district and area setter of the year by the Denton Record-Chronicle, a TAGC all-state honoree, as well as being chosen to play in the 2009 Texas 4A-5A All-Star Game. A four-year starter for the Wildcats, she was named the Record-Chronicle Player of the Week six times and was a three-time all-state selection. In 2008, she received special recognition as a member of the Lonestarvolleyball.com all-Texas Team. The previous year, Fifer was named one of the top 79 sophomores in the country by prepvolleyball.com. She has been a member of the Skyline Juniors for the past four years, a club team based in the Dallas Area.
“I'll never forget the first time I saw Kaylee play. I couldn't stop watching her,” said Baker. “She was so feisty and competitive. She demanded a great deal from her teammates and herself. She makes you want to play for her which is very important in a setter. Her location with the ball and her decision making in crucial situations also stood out. We expect her and Blaire to work very well with one another."
Finger, a 5-8 libero, lettered three years for Coach Julia Hudson at Lockport High School. As a senior, she tallied 349 digs and has a 96% serving percentage en route to garnering 2009 honorable mention all-state honors from the Champaign News-Gazette and received SWSC all-conference accolades for the second consecutive season. In her three-year varsity career, she garnered all-area mention three times by the Herald and was named to the 2009 Mizzuno/St. Charles Scholastic Cup all-tournament team. Finger was on one conference title team in 2008 and posted a combined 63-25 overall record as a member of the Porters’ varsity program. She plays for the 18 1st Alliance Club team.
"Lexi is the ultimate team player. Her positivity and work ethic are very infectious to those who play with her,” said Baker. “She makes everyone around her better. I was really impressed with her speed and volleyball IQ. We can't wait to start working with her."
Young, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter, comes to Colgate after being named a 2009 honorable mention Under Armour All-American. As a senior, she posted 259 kills, 79 digs, 63 blocks to help lead Berkeley Prep to the Class 3A Florida state title. Young, a three-time first team all-state and four-time all-country selection, tallied 1,071 kills during her prep career for Coach Randy Dagostino. She has played for the Tampa Bay Juniors Club Team four consecutive seasons and has been a part of the USA Volleyball High Performance A1 and A2 Developmental Team for two seasons. Young was a 2009 AAU All-American as a member of the Tampa Bay Juniors 17 Black squad. In 2006, she was named to the 15 & Under National all-tournament team; was one of the top 10 freshmen according to prepvolleyball.com. In 2007, Young was recognized as one of the top 25 sophomores in the country by prepvolleyball.com and was tabbed the Florida High School Player of the Week once by MaxPreps/American Volleyball Coaches Association.
"Lindsay has the physical stature that we have been wanting in our program. Her size, jumping ability, and attitude make her very difficult to stop. She terminates the ball with great force and truly feeds off a block. Lindsay is a proven winner who is excited to wear a Colgate uniform.”
Both Cremin and Finger received Alumni Memorial Scholarships from Colgate.
The Raiders, who finished the 2009 campaign with their third consecutive winning season at 15-13, return five starters and their libero for the 2010 campaign.