Volleyball inks 2

[GreenBat]

The North Texas volleyball team signed two players to National Letters of Intent at the beginning of the early signing period. Brittani Youman of Tatum, and Amy Huddleston of New Braunfels will both join the Mean Green in 2007.

Youman, a 5-11 senior at Tatum High School, will bring her pedigree to Denton in 2007. The daughter of former NFL star Larry Centers, Youman was an outstanding two sport athlete in both volleyball and softball for the Eagles, earning all-district honors in 2003, 2004 and 2005 including Outstanding Blocker of the Year for District 16-3A in 2005. She was also recruited by schools such as Auburn, Memphis, Louisiana Tech and North Florida.

MORE

[sports88guy]

this looks really good, with one of them considering large schools out of the state and signed with us, very good signings for volleyball

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

I am glad to see that we signed Larry Centers' daughter. If she has very many of her dad's genes, she'll be a terrific athlete.

I'll never forget an interview with Larry Centers after the '88 season. That was the season that we beat Tech, Rice, and got cheated at Texas in that infamous game that we still talk about. But, we weren't the Southland champions that year. That honor went to SFA. When asked why North Texas could, in reality, beat three former Southwest Conference teams and lose to Stephen F., Centers told the interviewer,"because they don't consider themselves to be 1-AA. They get up for the 1-A games but they just won't make the effort against their 1-AA opponents," or words to that effect.

He was right. At the time, we had had about thirty years in the top group and this was our sixth year of 1-AA. We never really put forth the effort required to be a playoff team again until our return to 1-A had been announced.

[Fletch]

Here is the KLTV site that shows Youman at her signing.

http://www.kltv.com/Global/category.asp?C=...&nav=menu117_10

It is under "College Signings."

Go Mean Green!!!

[MeanGreenBuzz]

Its good to hear Volleyball turning recruiting around. Last year I was talking to one of the top San Antonio prospects and she told me she would rather go to a JUCO than UNT. It was kind of harsh but a year and a half ago I couldn't blame her. After the season we had that should change alot of girls minds.

[Doublequick]

I know the team is very excited about the recruits for the '07 year. Youman is a little undersized but is a great athlete as well as a lefty. There is actually talk of a possible red-shirt for her next year because positionally she is behind Brooke Engel right now who is LEADING the NATION in serving aces. Amy Huddleston comes off of the 2005 State Champion 4A team of New Braunfels and was the State Tourney MVP. Again a little smaller @ 5'11 but very athletic much like Youman. Huddleston will be able to play at just about any position and has some great arm speed.

Recruiting has not been down for this program at all. A year and a half ago we started 5 freshman on the court and now those freshman are juniors - Plain and simple - experience and maturity. Rachel Raley is now a sophomore who is from San Antonio and will step into the offensive spot light next year as the team loses Tara Hooser. The team feels we have recruited some great talent and most importantly athletes that want to be apart of the building of this program and the university. Many athletes still do not want to know about this program because of where it was during the Big West. The coaching staff is doing it's best to break down those walls. There comes a time as a coach when you know that athletes are not interested and you have to move on to those that are. That doesn't mean we aren't trying to get the top players

Those of you that may be interested please come out to the new Mean Green Village tonight at 7 p.m. This team is playing for it's first divisional championship and could use your support. It is always senior night and the program will be recognizing Tara Hooser and Brittney Gregory.

[Eagle-96]

Wow, did someone say the words facilities, North Texas, and Great all in the same sentence. Looks like Liberty is paying off.

[Harry]

I'm really pleased with the direction and performance of the volleyball team right now!

[GrandGreen]

Wow, did someone say the words facilities, North Texas, and Great all in the same sentence. Looks like Liberty is paying off.

←

I wonder about the new facility. Writeup states almost a capacity crowd with attendence at 550. Doesn't seem like it may be big enough if interest in team keeps growing. Good problem to have.