CLINTON, Iowa - Head Coach Micah Cewe and the Ashford University volleyball team announced Wednesday that they have received two more signings for the upcoming 2012 season. Nechelle Veal, a Calumet City, Ill.-native and Caitlin Foran, of Gilbert, Ariz., have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at Ashford University.
Wednesday's announcement brings the total number of newcomers to 12 for the upcoming fall season.
Veal comes to Ashford via Parkland Community College in Champaign, Ill., where she spent the last two seasons playing for the Cobras. During that time, PCC compiled an overall record of 80-19 which includes a 3-1 record and a ninth-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament this past season.
The 5'9'' right side hitter appeared in 298 sets during the first half of her collegiate volleyball career and recorded 219 kills to go along with 150 digs and 20 service aces. However, her best statistic came around the net where she blocked 245 opponent kill attempts.
"We are very glad that Nechelle chose to continue her playing career and academics at Ashford University," said Head Coach Micah Cewe. "After watching Nechelle play for Parkland, we knew she would make an immediate impact for our program. She is very athletic, rises well above the net and loves to block and is committed to playing defense at the net. We look forward to the contributions she will make over the next two years at Ashford."
Veal was named Second Team All-Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) following last season and was a two-time all-league selection during her prep career.
Nechelle is the daughter of Sonya Brunt and plans to study sports management when she enrolls at AU. She marks the second Parkland Community College transfer to make the transition to Ashford after Morgan Martells signed earlier this spring.
Foran is closing the book on her senior year at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Ariz. where she is a two-year varsity letterwinner for the Tigers. As a libero, she helped GHS capture the 2011 Class 5A-1 State Championship in the state of Arizona while being the #2-ranked player in her position in the state according to MaxPreps.com.
"I had the opportunity to watch Caitlin play in Denver back in March and we loved her enthusiasm and energy on the court," added Cewe. "She was a great leader in the back row and really thrived on her excellent communication skills during play and with her teammates. She works extremely hard and we are glad to have Caitlin in our program for the next four years; she will compete for the libero position right away."
Caitlin is the daughter of Charlie and Gina Foran and plans to study biology at Ashford.
2012 Ashford University Volleyball Commitment Class:
Samantha Magnussen - McHenry, Ill. (McHenry East HS)
Taylor Mullen - Chicago, Ill. (Andrean HS)
Erica Dinnocenzo - Crete, Ill. (Illinois Lutheran HS)
Kimberly Borowczyk - Niantic, Ill. (Sangamon Valley HS)
Morgan Martells - Sterling, Ill. (Parkland Community College)
Ariana Newton - Haiku, Hawaii (H.P. Baldwin HS)
Nakai Green - Anaheim Hills, Calif. (Canyon HS)
Danielle Rzewnicki - Harwood Heights, Ill. (Ridgewood HS)
Victoria Day - Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake Central HS)
Aubree Pirello - Hesperia, Calif. (Sultana HS)
Nechelle Veal - Calumet City, Ill. (Parkland Community College)
Caitlin Foran - Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert HS)
