Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Volleyball Signs Three Standout Players
November 16, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 16, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech volleyball has announced the addition of three highly-touted student-athletes that have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Red Raiders next year. Amanda Dowdy (Lexington, Texas/Lexington H.S.), Karlyn Meyers (China Spring, Texas/China Spring H.S.) and Lubbock native Brooke Smith (Coronado H.S.) will all compete for Tech beginning in 2008.
"We are very excited about the addition of these girls," Tech coach Nancy Todd said. "They are great athletes and have the ability to really help this program. We look forward to them joining us and watching them play."
Dowdy, a 6-3 middle blocker, ranked among the top players in the nation in kills at 6.9 kills per game this last year. She also hit .418 to go along with 1.6 blocks and 2.7 digs a game while setting career records in both kills and blocks for the Lexington Eagles. Ranked as the No. 93 recruit in the country by Prepvolleyball.com, she was the district MVP and an Academic All-State performer that played her club volleyball for TexStar. She also received an invitation to play with the USA A2 Junior National Team this last spring. Dowdy was a state qualifier in track as a high jumper and also played basketball at Lexington. She is described as "a very physical player...with a very strong upper body and tremendous hops," by Prepvolleball.com. Dowdy chose Tech over Oklahoma and Baylor, as well as Kansas in basketball.
"Amanda is the type of player that can really dominate and take over a match," Todd said. "Her blocking and hitting abilities will be an important key for us, especially in conference play."
Ranked as the No. 43 recruit in the nation by Prepvolleyball.com, Meyers is a 5'11 setter that played club volleyball for the Waco Juniors. She was the Super Centex Player of the Year in 2006, an all-state performer in both volleyball and basketball last year and helped lead China Spring to the District 17-3A Championship this year. She has also been district MVP for the last three years. In 2005, she was named to the USAV Nationals All-Tournament Team. Coached by her mother, Stacy, Prepvolleyball.com describes Meyers as "a versatile player...with incredible command of the court... Her strongest attribute, however, is her `assisting' personality." She is China Spring's record holder in assists, kills, blocks and aces. Meyers chose the Red Raiders over Nebraska, among other programs.
"Karlyn is an exceptional athlete and leader," Todd said. "She will add a whole new dimension to our team. We are really looking forward to her setting contributions."
A Lubbock product, Smith is a 5-8 libero/outside hitter from Coronado H.S. Known as a very polished server and great defender, she played club volleyball for Amarillo Elite and has been on the Sun Country USA High Performance Team three times. Smith recently helped lead the Lady Mustangs to the Region 1-5A quarterfinals for the seventh time in the last eight years. Smith chose Tech over New Mexico State and Central Arkansas.
"Brooke will bring great ball control and serving to our program," Todd said. "She knows the game (of volleyball) very well and it shows in her play. She has the ability to be a standout defender on the Division 1 level."
The Red Raiders will have their last home match of the season with Kansas on Wed., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. before traveling to Lincoln, Neb. to take on No. 2 Nebraska on Sat., Nov. 24.