Of Ratzlaff?s 10 recruits, six are from Kansas, two from Colorado and one each from Nebraska and Arkansas.
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Ashley Cohlmia, Wichita, a 5-foot, 10-inch outside hitter and libero, is transferring from University of Montevallo (Ala.), an NCAA Division II school.
A 2006 graduate of Maize High School, Cohlmia earned first-team all-league honors and was the co-MVP in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League.
?We are thrilled to have Ashley return to Kansas and commit to Tabor,? Ratzlaff said. ?She was such a force on the court in many areas on her high school team.
?We look for her competitive spirit and tremendous skill to make an impact in many areas here as well.?
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Jordan Crosson, a 6-0 middle blocker, set the Minneapolis High School record for kills in a career. She earned all-league honors her junior and senior years and was named to the Salina Journal?s All-Area second team.
Following her senior year, she was voted her team?s most inspirational and most valuable player.
?As a volleyball player, she brings an amazing amount of strength and skill to the middle blocker position,? Ratzlaff said. ?As a part of the team, Jordan brings a tremendous work ethic and competitive spirit that will impact the team atmosphere.?
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Samantha Heldenbrand, Jamestown, a 5-10 hitter, played for the Concordia High School Panthers. She was an honorable mention North Central Activities Association all-league pick her senior season.
?Sam is a true athlete,? Ratzlaff said. ?She can contribute in multiple sports and is very team-oriented. Sam has been a part of a good program and will be able to bring that competitive drive to the Tabor team.?
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Alicia Hendricks, Ramah, Colo., a 5-9 outside hitter and defender, played for Limon High School.
Hendricks helped lead the Badgers to a district championship and third-place finish in the regional tournament.
?Alicia has a very strong commitment to team spirit and hard work,? Ratzlaff said. ?We are very excited to have that kind of player on our team and on our campus.?
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Alicia Hooten, a 5-10 outside hitter from Heber Springs, Ark., played Junior Olympic club volleyball for two years.
During her high school career she earned the sportsmanship award and was named to the regional all-tournament team, was named regional most valuable player, and twice made the state all-tournament team.
Hooten attended volleyball camp in Florida for four years and was named a camp all-star four times and the camp most valuable player and skills champ once.
Hooten was nominated to play in an all-star volleyball tournament in Hawaii.
?Alicia is talented in so many areas,? Ratzlaff said. ?Her commitment to excellence in athletics and academics will help her become a strong part of the Tabor community.?
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Clancey Kelley, Wichita, will be a Tabor College junior. She played soccer her first two years as a Bluejay.
?Clancey is a super athletic addition to our team,? Ratzlaff said. ?Her quickness and competitiveness will make an immediate impact on the team.?
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Lichelle Large, a 5-71⁄2 outside hitter, played for Hayes Center (Neb.) High School. She was named second team all-league in 2006 and received honorable mention in 2005.
Large earned McCook Daily first-team honors and helped lead Hayes Center to a district championship and a state tournament appearance.
?Lichelle has a passion for sports that you can see when she plays,? Ratzlaff said. ?She is a competitor and will contribute in many ways to the Tabor community.?
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Taylor Lawrence, a 6-0 outside hitter from Conway Springs, has transferred from the University of North Texas, a NCAA Division I school in Denton, Texas.
A 2003 graduate of Conway Springs High School, Lawrence led the Cardinals to three straight Class 3A state volleyball championships from 2000-2002 with a runner-up finish in 1999.
CSHS posted a record of 145-6 while Lawrence played there. She was named first team all-league for Central Plains League, first team Class 3A all-state, and Southwest Kansas Player of the Year for three years.
She also was named Class 3A Player of the Year and Kansas Volleyball Player of the Year in 2002.
?Taylor?s commitment to the Bluejays this fall was the spark that started the excitement for the 2007 season,? Ratzlaff said.
?Taylor is a phenomenally talented volleyball player. I have seen her play for years and am elated to have her back in Kansas. She brings competitiveness, incredible athletic ability, and fire to the team.?
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Jessica Perrault, a 5-10 middle blocker/hitter, played for Westminster (Colo.) High School, where she lettered all four years and twice earned Skyline All-Conference honors.
Perrault was named team captain for three seasons and earned team most-valuable-player honors three times.
?From the minute Jessica visited campus, we knew she would be an asset to our volleyball team,? Ratzlaff said. ?She is a hard-worker with a lot of talent.
?The experience she brings from her years of club ball will also help her have a strong start to her college volleyball career.?
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Heather Witham, a 6-3 middle hitter from Wichita, transferred at semester from Sterling College, where she was as sophomore.
?Heather obviously brings height to the team, but more importantly she gives our team a strong blocking force with the added benefit of unstoppable offense,? Ratzlaff said. ?She has quickly become a valuable part of our program.?
