March 2, 2010

RedStorm volleyball signs second recruit

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball program has signed its second recruit for the 2010 season in the person of Jordan Nolan of Buckeye Valley High School. 

Nolan, a 5'9" outside hitter, comes to Rio Grande after two stellar seasons for Buckeye Valley. She earned 1^st team all-conference and 2^nd team all-district honors as a junior and garnered MOAC Athlete of the Year this past season as well as landing 1^st team all-conference and 1^st team all-district honors.

Nolan is following the same path as her parents, who are both Rio Grande graduates. "I'm very excited to be signing with Rio Grande. It is good to know exactly where I'm going," she said. "My parents both went to Rio and love the campus as much as I do." 

With her parents having graduated from Rio Grande, Nolan has some familiarity with Rio and the campus. "Both my parents went to Rio Grande therefore I always heard about the Bob Evans Farm Festival," Nolan said. "I always knew that the sports teams were pretty popular if you were attending Rio Grande." 

Rio Grande head coach Billina Donaldson is excited about the prospects of her latest recruit. "Jordan is a very explosive player and will be used as an outside hitter," she said. "The only thing I think Jordan lacks to be an impact player is experience. This girl is a great leaper and has a very quick swing on the ball, we will work with her on timing and technique, I can't wait to see what she is capable of by mid-season."

Nolan pointed out that the team and Coach Donaldson were the deciding factors in choosing to sign with Rio Grande. "The deciding factors for choosing Rio Grande were the volleyball team and the coach," she said. "I love the girls because they have such great energy. And the coach is amazing, I look forward to playing for her." 

Donaldson explains the expectations that she has for Nolan. "We will expect Jordan to go in games and come up with some key kills for us," Donaldson said. "Jordan has spent time with a few of my players and we all can't wait to start next season with her in our uniform."

Nolan discussed her strengths as a player and also what she feels she must work on to be a better player at the college level. "I feel my best assets are my high energy level and my leadership skills. I am constantly trying to motivate while I'm on the court," Nolan said. "But, I feel I need to work on not being so hard on myself when I make mistakes." 

Nolan's goal while playing at Rio Grande is to be a difference maker on the court. "My ultimate goal as a player for the next four years is to make a difference in the team. I want to help win the conference before I leave," she said. 

Jordan is the daughter of Andy and Kim Miller and Jon and Donna Nolan of Radnor, OH. 

She plans to major in education. 

Nolan joins Kayla Landaker of River View Warsaw High School as the current members of the 2010 Rio Grande volleyball recruiting class. 

Rio Grande posted an 18-19 overall record in 2009 while finishing in third place in the Mid-South Conference with a 9-5 mark.