March 9, 2010

RedStorm volleyball signs Athens twins

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball program continued with what has been a very busy and productive recruiting season by adding twin sisters, Caity and Cindy Willis of Athens High School. The signing of the sister act brings the number of the 2010 recruiting class to four for third year head coach Billina Donaldson.

Caity, a 5'6'' setter/right side hitter, was an all-league performer during her senior season for the Lady Bulldogs and garnered honorable mention all-district honors as well. Cindy, a 5'7" outside hitter, was all-league and all-district in each of the last two seasons for Athens. 

Both players were very excited to sign with Rio Grande. "I'm very excited about signing with Rio Grande," Caity said. "I can't wait to start playing with all the girls and can't wait to be coached by Coach Donaldson."

"I'm excited that it's finally official and that I belong to Rio's volleyball program," Cindy said. 

Donaldson believes that both players are solid additions to the program. "Cindy and Caity are going to be great additions to the RedStorm this season. They are two players that play like four," said Donaldson. "They have the ability to do things that normally would take four or five players to do."

"Fundamentally they can do it all, these girls jump-serve, they block very well, both can hit the ball and their back row play is right up there with some of the libero's we played this season, the setting is good and their ability to lead is very evident," Donaldson added. "I would have to bring in several girls to do what I am expecting the twins to do."

Both Caity and Cindy cited proximity, the size of the campus, the team and Coach Donaldson as key reasons for signing with Rio Grande. "When we met all the girls they were very welcoming and treated each other like family, which is what I love about sports," Caity said. "The campus was small like my hometown. I've always wanted to play at Rio and play for Coach Donaldson."

"I like that it's not too far away from home," Cindy said. "I already know some of the girls and Coach Donaldson, so I know how the program will be." 

Donaldson believes the transition to the college game will come easily for the sisters. "The girls come from a very successful program (Athens) and a coach (Kelli Dyer) that has a very similar coaching style as I do so I think the change will be a relatively easy process for the girls," she said.

Both players stressed a team first attitude and also said they feel they need to get stronger to be successful at the college level. "I am extremely passionate about volleyball and play to win every time I step on the court," Cindy said. "My first priority is team. (As far as what I need to work on) I could be physically stronger as a player, put more balls away," she said. 

"My best assets are being a team leader and being dependable," Caity said. "I need to become a better player physically and fundamentally."

Donaldson breaks each sister down individually. "Caity has the ability to make decisions that can change the outcome of the play or even change momentum. She is doing things that seasoned players are doing, she just makes the game run at a different speed and that is something that I wanted to do in my time here at Rio, I wanted to turn our offense into a very low-quick offense and I can see that
happening," she said.

"Cindy is a very good blocker with a hit that is hard to read, she has great angles on her hits and jumps very well.  Her back row play is fun to watch.  She is a confident player that is ready to meet whatever challenge you throw her way and in college volleyball she will need to rely on her confidence," Donaldson said.

"Both girls are so fun to watch, they have this non-verbal communication, that I guess you can only have with a twin, they automatically know where the  other is  going to be or what the other is wanting as far as a set or who is playing where on defense," Donaldson added. "I am very excited to watch them mature more over the next few years and I can't wait to see what they are going to add to my already talented group."

"Next season will be a lot of fun and I can't wait to see the twins perform in the RedStorm uniform next fall."

The sisters come to Rio Grande with designs on being major factors in restoring the Rio Grande volleyball program. "(I want to) contribute all I can to the program to make it better," Cindy said. "Give all I can give the next four years to volleyball and enjoy it."

"As a player I want to be able to be one of the main factors to leading the program to an ultimate high," Caity said. "I have many goals, but an ultimate goal would be to win a college championship. I want to be able to give what I have to offer to help the team in tremendous ways." 

Caity seemed to be a little more versed in Rio Grande than her sister, but both had prior knowledge of the team and the coach. "I knew the volleyball program definitely excelled during the 2009 season," Caity said. "I knew Rio was a smaller school. I knew it was a campus you would want to go to if you wanted to know your classmates and teachers." 

"I did not know a lot about Rio Grande's university and academics," Cindy said. "Like I said, I know some of the girls and Coach Donaldson. I know that the program is getting stronger and better." 

Caity plans to major in early childhood education while Cindy will pursue a degree in nursing. 

They are the daughters of Terry and Tina Willis of Athens. 

Caity and Cindy join Jordan Nolan of Buckeye Valley High School and 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.