Jan. 19, 2006

Grand Valley State University volleyball head coach Deanne Scanlon announced the signing of five student-athletes to attend and play volleyball for the Lakers. Tamara Fant (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay), Kaitlin Gormley (Portage, Mich./Central), Krysta Kornack (Warren, Mich./Cousino), Meghan Scanlon (Jenison, Mich.), and Meredith Young (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) will all join GVSU's volleyball team in the 2006 season.

Fant, a 6-0 right side hitter, was a two-year starter at Central Michigan in 2002-03. In 2003, she led the Chippewas and ranked second in the MAC with a .364 hitting percentage. Fant averaged 2.91 kills and 0.84 blocks per game in her sophomore season at Central Michigan. In her two seasons with the Chippewas, Tamara tallied 592 kills, 1,324 total attacks, a .307 attack percentage, 148 blocks, and 67 digs. Fant has two seasons of eligibility left at GVSU and is a communications major. "Tamara was an outstanding athlete at the Division I level, " said Scanlon. "She is left-handed, which will provide us with a threat we didn't have before."

Gormley, a 5-10 middle blocker, led Portage Central to three straight conference and district championships. She was a two-time all-conference, all-district, and all-region honoree, while being named to the all-state honorable mentioon team once. Kaitlin's club team, Far Out, took second place at the Junior Olympics. She will be a business major at GVSU. "Kaitlin is the best athlete we have brought in to the program. She is quick and a great jumper," said Scanlon. "Her athleticism will help her compete for a starting role next season."

Kornack, a 6-2 middle blocker, is a two-time All-MAC Blue honoree and has earned all-academic honors for four years. She will be pursing her degree in secondary education and science. "Krysta has the size and the ability to be a good player at Grand Valley," said Scanlon. "She will have to learn that the game at the collegiate level is faster, but her upside is tremendous."

Scanlon, is a 5-7 setter, who was named to the All-O.K. Red First Team and All-Region Class A Team her junior year. Meghan earned all-tournament honors at Ferris State. She won the AAU Championship three times, on her 12,14, and 16-year old teams. She will major in pre-med at Grand Valley State. "Meghan obviously knows the tradition we have at Grand Valley as being my daughter she has grown up around the team and school," said Deanne Scanlon. "She knows what is takes to be competitve and win."

Young, a 5-10 outside hitter, was a three-time all-conference honoree at Forest Hills Northern. She earned all-state third honors as a freshman, all-state second team plaudits as a sophomore, and was named to the all-state first team her junior year. Young was her team's MVP both her sophomore and junior seasons. Meredith's dad played football, her brother played tennis, and her sister played volleyball for the Lakers. "Meredith is coming from one of the top high school programs and knows how to win," said Scanlon. "She will come in and play for us right away."