18 Apr 2018 Conway player among recruits for UCA volleyball programs
The Central Arkansas Volleyball programs will feature some new faces next season, as head coach Jeni Jones Chatman recently announced the addition of six players. The group is split evenly, with three players joining the Sugar Bears for the 2018 indoor season, and three joining the Beach Bears for the 2019 beach campaign.
A 5’5” defensive specialist, Haley Weber doesn’t have far to travel to join the Beach Bears after spending her high school career in Conway, where she earned All-Conference and All-State Tournament honors for the Wampus Cats, in addition to an American Beach National Championship in 2017.
“I chose Central Arkansas for several reasons,” said Weber. “Not only is it the only university in the state to offer beach volleyball, but the coaching staff and record are very impressive. I was also drawn to UCA due to the proximity to home and the academics offered.”
“We are thrilled to add another local talent from Conway,” said Chatman. “Haley will bring great athleticism and speed to the game.”
Other signees:
Liz Crist, from Jonesboro, comes to the Sugar Bears after helping lead Valley View High School to back-to-back-to-back Arkansas 5A State Championships. A 6’2” right side/outside hitter, Crist earned 5A East All-Conference Honorable Mention and Prepvolleyball Sophomore 79 Honorable Mention in 2015, before being named to the AVCA Phenom List in 2016, and the Under Armor All-American Watch List in 2017.
“I chose UCA because I loved the atmosphere and the people there,” said Crist. “I love the team and how hardworking they are; it felt like home when I visited them.”
Maddie Bowles, a 6’0” opposite, comes to Conway from Strafford, Mo., where she earned numerous awards for her performances in volleyball and track and field. A member of the National Honor Society, Bowles earned three Academic All-Conference First Team awards and an AAU Volleyball Academic All-American award while earning All-Class 2 District 12 and All-Midlakes Volleyball honors in 2017.
Lexi Miller, a 5’11” outside hitter, joins the Sugar Bears from Carl Junction, Mo. A four time Academic All-State honoree, she has earned All-Conference First Team recognition three times, All-District twice, and was named All-State as a senior.
Kayla Cook, a 5’8” right side from Heath, Texas, makes the transition to the sand after earning All-District First and Second Team honors, Freshman MVP, and Club MVP at Rockwall-Heath High School and Skyline Volleyball Club.
Rounding out the group is 5’8” middle blocker Faith Hasness, from Spring Branch, Texas. A three-time All-District First Team selection at Canyon Lake High School, she was named Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, Offensive MVP as a junior, and broke the program record for career aces as a senior.
