Cowgirl Volleyball Signs Four for the Future

University of Wyoming head volleyball coach Carrie Yerty has announced that Laura Beach, Sheridan Burns, Kaitlyn Edwards and Kayla Slofkiss will join the Cowgirl volleyball program beginning in the fall of 2013.“This is a very experienced and athletic group, who have each played at a top level in both high school and club,” said Yerty. “Not only will they provide depth to an already strong core, they will also have the opportunity to compete right away. They are a perfect mix of competitive fire and skill. We are excited about this freshmen class and that they will continue to help our program.”

Here is a breakdown of the incoming players:

Laura Beach, 6-1, Middle Blocker, Lakewood, Colo. (Lutheran High School):  A four-year varsity letterwinner, while attending Lutheran High School. This season, she was named to the 2012 Under Armour All-American volleyball watch list, while leading her team to a 28-0 record and their second straight 2A Colorado State Title. She was selected Class 2A First Team All-Colorado as a junior, along with being named Class 2A Second Team All-State and to the All-State Tournament Team during her sophomore year. She helped her team to a 2A State Championship in 2011, while they qualified for the 2010 State Tournament. Beach played club volleyball for Front Range Volleyball Club. Her 2012 18-1 black team won a bronze medal at the USAVB Open Division Junior Nationals while her 16-1 blue team and 15-1 white team were Junior National Qualifiers in the Open Division. She was coached in high school by Alicia Oates. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society and an Academic All-Conference selection.

Yerty says, “Laura is coming off an outstanding season helping her team to back-to-back state championships. She led her team both offensively and defensively. She is one of three returning players that won the USAVB 18-1 Open Division tournament bronze medal while playing for Front Range Volleyball Club. She is a dynamic jumper, a great leader and will provide depth at the middle blocker position.”

Sheridan Burns, 6-1, Setter, Paradise Valley, Ariz. (Notre Dame Prep):   A three-year starter while attending Notre Dame Prep. She was selected to the Under Armour High School All-American watch list in 2012. This past season, she helped her team to a 20-2 regular season record and a semifinal finish at the AIA Division II Volleyball State Tournament. In 2011, they reached the quarterfinals finishing with a 21-2 overall record. She was the starting setter for her club team that won the Silver Division at the USAVB Junior Nationals 17 Open Division. The team qualified the previous season for the USAVB Junior Nationals 15 Open Division where they placed 15th. An excellent student, she has been a member of the student council, the Dean’s list and honor roll, while being active in several other scholastic activities.

“Sheridan comes from Arizona where she has had an extensive club career. At 6-1, she can not only set, but has the ability to hit and is a good blocker. She is a great student and has solid leadership skills. She will have the opportunity to transition into a 5-1 rotation setter in the future for the Cowgirls,” says Yerty.

Kaitlyn Edwards, 6-2, Middle Blocker, Playa del Rey, Calif. (Marymount High School):   An All-Sunshine League selection while attending Marymount High School. During her junior year, she was named to the Prepvolleyball All-American Team and in 2012 was selected as Prepvolleyball.com Senior Ace, which is given to Top 100 recruits. She has led her team to three straight Sunshine League Championships with a combined record of 30-0 during that time. They were CIF Southern Section Champions in 2010 with a record of 34-6 and followed that up with a CIF Southern Section and CIF Southern California Championship in 2011. The team was also a CIF California State Finalist in that same year. A three-year letterwinner in volleyball, she was coached by Cari Klein. Her father, Tom, participated in track and field at the University of Florida, while her mother, Lisa, was a two-time All-American as a member of the UCLA volleyball team for 1983-86.

Yerty says, “Kaitlyn comes from a very athletic background. Her mom was an All-American at UCLA and her dad participated in track and field at Florida. She plays for one of the most competitive high school and club teams. She is an exception slide hitter and an aggressive blocker. Kaitlyn will compete for playing time at either the middle or rightside position.”

Kayla Slofkiss, 6-1, Outside Hitter, Parker, Colo. (Cherokee Trail HS):   A four-year letterwinner while attending Cherokee Trail High School in Colorado. She was a First Team Centennial League selection in 2011 and 2012 and a Second Team All-League honoree as a sophomore. Slofkiss helped lead her to team to a 19-8 record after recently completing play at the 5A State Colorado State Championship and was recently named to the All-Colorado State Team. A two-time team captain, she was named to the Regis All-Tournament Team twice. This season, she averaged 3.2 kills and 2.6 digs and holds the all-time school record in kills and digs. She was coached by Terry Miller.

“Kayla is a dynamic, explosive outside hitter with great ball control skills. She can play all six rotations and has the potential to be a solid outside hitter,” says Yerty.