Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Head Volleyball Coach Kristina Hernandez today announced the signing of two student-athletes, Caitlin DeCoster and Shelby Young, to National Letters of Intent. Both student-athletes will begin their academic and athletic careers at Hofstra beginning this fall.
The signing of DeCoster and Young completes the recruiting class for the upcoming season as Hofstra announced the signing of 6-0 middle blocker Ayesha Hein (Honolulu, HI) in November.
HERNANDEZ ON RECUITING CLASS
We are excited about adding Shelby and Caitlin to our 2010 class along with Ayesha. They all come from highly competitive high school programs that have been extremely successful. Ayesha and Shelby both are tremendous athletes that will fit in well with our style of play. All three can make immediate impacts and we are excited about adding them to our team. We are also impressed by the heart and personality that these three will add to our program. They all have the character that we look for in successful student-athletes.
DeCoster, a 5-10 setter from Crystal Lake, Illinois, will join the Pride from Crystal Lake Central High School. A four-year member of the Tigers volleyball team, DeCoster helped lead Crystal Lake to a 136-12 record during her four years as a member of the team. Highlighting that stellar run was the 2007 season in which Crystal Lake won the Class 3A State Championship with a perfect 42-0 record. A three-year class president, DeCoster was named the best server on her team as a junior and senior.
HERNANDEZ ON DECOSTER
Caity has beautiful hands, and we were impressed with her ability to run a fast offense. She has a great court demeanor and is very comfortable delivering the ball at a fast tempo so she will fit in perfectly with the way we run our offense.
Young, a 6-0 outside hitter from Lincoln, California, played volleyball for four years scholastically at Whitney High School in Rocklin, CA. In 2009, Young helped Whitney qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section CIF playoffs for the first time in school history (school is five years old). Young averaged 9.4 kills, 13.6 digs and 3.3 aces in her senior season, while earning Chik-Fil-A Outstanding Athlete of the Year honors. She was also named to the USA Volleyball Youth A2 Team in 2008 and was first team all-league in her senior campaign.
HERNANDEZ ON YOUNG
Shelby is a spirited competitor and has a huge ceiling. She attacks high above the net with a lot of force and aggression. She can be a dominant offensive force for us not only in the front row but the back row as well.
Hofstra opens the 2010 season in late August when they host their annual tournament. This year's two-day tournament will feature North Carolina A&T, Missouri State, Canisius, Texas State and the Pride.
