Nov. 20, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay head volleyball coach Debbie Kirch has announced its four-member incoming class for the 2008 season. Abbey Gitter (Hortonville, Wis.) and Melissa Joyce (Chicago, Ill.) have signed national letters of intent, while Laura Garrow (Appleton, Wis.) and Kelly Mischler (Kaukauna, Wis.) have also announced that they will attend Green Bay.

"We are very excited about the class of 2008 that will be joining our program in the fall," Kirch said. "All four are excellent athletes who have also proven that they can successfully lead their teams as well. They will be great additions to this program."

Gitter, a 6-foot right-side hitter, was a 2007 first-team all-state selection according to the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association (WVCA) after being an all-state honorable mention pick as a junior. A two-time all-conference performer, Gitter was the Bay Conference Co-Player of the Year as a senior. She teamed with Garrow and Mischler to help the Fox Cities Elite Volleyball Club qualify for the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics National Tournament each of the past three years.

"Abbey is not only a tremendous athlete, but she also has the mentality and ability to carry a team," Kirch said. "During both her club season and her high school season, she shouldered a big part of her team's offensive load and she proved time and time again that she could handle that responsibility."

Joyce is a 5-foot-6 setter who was a Chicago Sun Times first-team all-area pick and was named the area's Player of the Year by the Daily Southtown. This fall, she led her prep squad to the state championship game in Class 4A, Illinois' largest classification. Joyce was named the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2007 and was a two-time all-conference selection. In addition, she was an honorable mention all-area pick as a junior.

"Melissa is a great athlete who has excelled not just as a setter, but as a hitter as well," Kirch said. "What stood out to us in the recruiting process was her toughness. People underestimate her because of her size, but that is a mistake. She worked extremely hard to accomplish what she did in high school and we are very excited she will be joining our program."

Garrow, a defensive specialist, was a four-time all-conference choice, including a first-team pick as a junior and senior. The 5-foot-5 player served as team captain her final two years and was twice named the team's Most Valuable Player. Garrow also played for the Fox Cities Elite squad and was voted to the all-tournament team at the USA Junior Olympics in 2005, when the team placed third.

"Laura has the quickness to become a great defensive player, but along with her ability, she has the tenacity needed in that position," Kirch said. "Adding her to our defensive corps should make us one of the top defensive teams in the Horizon League."

A 5-foot-11 middle hitter, Mischler was a two-time all-conference player in the Fox Valley Association, which included a first-team honor this year. A three-year letterwinner, she helped guide the team to the state tournament in 2005 and 2007. Mischler also played on the past two Fox Cities Elite squads that reached the USA Junior Olympic Championships.

"Kelly is an excellent athlete who was overlooked in her position because of her size, but she has great lateral movement and gets off the ground quickly," Kirch said. "She is a good enough athlete to be able to play other positions, but because of her speed, she can also be successful in the middle in our league."

--www.uwgbathletics.com--