INDIANAPOLIS- In an announcement by UIndy head volleyball coach Jody Butera, early signees Brianna Gannon, Hannah Kirk, Jaymee Reynolds and La'Voya Williams are set to join the Greyhound volleyball squad.  The quartet will suit up for UIndy this fall to help the Greyhounds defend their 2009 Midwest Regional championship.

Says Coach Butera of her future freshmen: "I am really excited about this incoming class.  They are all extremely competitive, they hate to lose attitude, and they do the intangibles that win championships."

Hailing from LaPorte, Ind., Brianna Gannon helped lead the Marquette Catholic volleyball team to an amazing four-straight IHSAA State Volleyball Championships at the Class A level.  The 5-7 libero garnered First Team All-State accolades all four years as a prep and was also a finalist for National Freshman of the Year in 2006.  Gannon finished with over 1,600 digs in her time at MCHS, where she is a member of the National Art Honor Society and the honor roll.

"Brianna is the most decorated libero in her class in the state of Indiana," comments Butera.  "She only knows winning.  She has the ability to make an immediate impact due to her excellent court sense and her contagious work ethic will only add to the success of our program."

A 5-9 outside hitter, Hannah Kirk comes to UIndy via Wabash, Ind. and Southwood High School, where she is the record holder for both career kills (1,145) and career digs (940).  She garnered first-team recognition from Wabash County and the Three Rivers Conference in each of her final three seasons, as well as First Team All-State her senior year.  Also a standout on the track & field team, Kirk led the Southwood volleyball squad to a pair of regional titles as well as an appearance in the 2009 IHSAA Class 2A State Finals match.

Says Butera: "Hannah is very athletic and versatile.  She could play anywhere at the net.  She is also  very competitive and her tenacious attitude will only make her a great player at UIndy."

Setter and local-product Jaymee Reynolds will graduate from Lawrence North High School this spring.  As the school's record holder in career assists, she collected many team awards at LNHS, including Most Improved, Mental Attitude, and M.V.P.  Reynolds, who plans to major in Biology at UIndy, was named All-Marion County and All-State Honorable Mention each of her final two seasons was a prep and as dubbed a Preseason All-American by Under Armour as a senior.

"Jaymee a very athletic setter that makes plays," Coach explains.  "She's a player that has yet to reach her potential.  Her work ethic and leadership qualities will enable her to become an outstanding player here at UIndy."

Fort Wayne, Ind.-native La'Voya Williams rounds out Butera's group of early signees.  The future North Side High School graduate was named First Team All-Summit Athletic Conference three straight seasons as well as picking up All-Northeast Indiana Honorable Mention in 2008.  The 5-9 outside hitter will graduate from NSHS with distinction as a member of the honor roll, before going into Pre-Dentistry at UIndy.

"La'Voya is very dynamic with a huge ceiling," boasts Butera.  "She's another player that hasn't come close to her potential.  She has the ability to end plays and play way above the net."

Butera's signees will join a Greyhounds team that will lose just one player to graduate from last year's record-breaking squad.  The 2009 Hounds compiled an amazing 38-2 record while earning the program's third straight NCAA berth, second Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and first-ever Midwest Regional title.  Butera was named National Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association at the conclusion of the season.