MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Alyssa Cecil, Maddie Fella, Merideth Jewell, Jordan Jones and Danielle McCarson have signed National Letters of Intent with the Morehead State volleyball program. All five student-athletes will be freshmen during the 2015-16 school year.
"I am excited to share our newest Eagles with the Morehead family," Head Coach Jaime Gordon said. "This is an outstanding group of young women. They will continue the tradition of excellence that has been established on the court, in the classroom and in the community."
Cecil comes to MSU from Vista Ridge High School (Texas). The 5-foot-7 defensive specialist/libero collected 1,432 digs in three seasons, including 620 her senior campaign. She was a two-time team captain and earned Academic All-District honors each season.
Cecil helped the Rangers claim bi-district championships in 2013 and 2014, plus an area title her junior season. A native of Cedar Park, Texas, she plays for the Texas Eclipse club team.
"Alyssa may be the best athlete in this class, which says a lot," Gordon said. "Her strength, speed and explosiveness have made her a dynamic defender who is fun to watch and tough to play against. She is a fearless competitor who is passionate about the sport."
Fella joins the Eagles from Heritage Hills High School (Ind.). The 6-foot-3 middle blocker/outside hitter recorded 1,073 kills, 561 digs and 270 blocks in four years with the Patriots. She earned All-Pocket Athletic Conference honors after her final three campaigns.
A native of Santa Claus, Ind., Fella plays for the Audubon Volleyball Association club team.
"I can't wait to have Maddie in our program," Gordon said. "She brings so much versatility, and I'm anxious to come up with different ways to use her. She is one of the most natural blockers I've seen in a long time, and offensively she can attack from any position."
Jewell joins MSU's program after playing at Mercy Academy in Louisville. The 6-foot outside hitter posted 1,473 kills, 915 digs and 256 blocks in four seasons with the Jaguars. A three-time all-region choice, she was Kentucky's 2014 Region 6 Player of the Year.
Jewell, one of 18 finalists for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year award, is the first recruit in Ohio Valley Conference history to be invited to the Under Armour All-American Game. Jewell also earned the prestigious Miss Kentucky Volleyball award in 2014.
Jewell helped Mercy Academy to a Kentucky High School Athletic Association runner-up finish in 2012, third-place effort in 2013 and state championship in 2014. The Jaguars climbed to the very top of PrepVolleyball.com's national rankings during her final season.
A native of Mt. Washington, Ky., Jewell plays for the MidAmerica Volleyball Association club team. Her MAVA 17 Select team placed fifth nationally. She was a member of the 2014 USAV HP Women's Junior National A2 Team and was an A1 Team alternate.
"Merideth is an exceptionally competitive player and one of the hardest working athletes I've been around," Gordon said. "She is a well-rounded athlete who is productive at the net, in the back row and everywhere in between. She has many accolades, and they are all well deserved."
Jones comes to MSU from Westwood High School (S.C.). The 6-foot-2 setter registered 836 assists, 228 kills, 164 digs, 130 aces and 39 blocks in three seasons with the Redhawks. A three-time team captain, she earned all-state honors as a junior and all-star accolades as a senior.
Westwood volleyball tallied more wins than any other sport at the school while she was a sophomore and junior. A native of Blythewood, S.C., Jones plays for the Magnum Volleyball Club.
"Jordan is going to continue our tradition of great setters," Gordon said. "Being 6-foot-2 and left-handed, she brings a dimension to that position that we have not had. Jordan will be a significant threat offensively and defensively at the net. She is also very driven to be the best she can be."
McCarson joins the Eagles from Oldham County High School (Ky.). The 5-foot-3 defensive specialist/libero was named to Kentucky's 2014 Region 8 All-Tournament Team. She earned four varsity letters in volleyball and was the school's Defensive Player of the Year her first two seasons.
McCarson helped the Colonels to district runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2014, plus a regional championship her junior campaign.
A native of LaGrange, Ky., McCarson earned a spot on the 2014 Under Armour All-America Watch List. She was a member of the 2014 USAV HP Women's Junior National A2 Team and was an A1 Team alternate. The previous year, she was also involved with the USAV National Training Program.
"Danielle is a lightning quick defender who can cover the court with deceptive efficiency," Gordon said. "She anticipates her opponents movements well and is always in the right place at the right time. She works hard to take advantage of every opportunity to get better."
MSU appeared in eight consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournaments from 2006-13 and won four straight regular-season league championships from 2010-13. The Eagles also participated in the 2011 and 2013 NCAA Tournaments, which were their first two in school history.
"Our incoming group contains individuals of the highest character who will represent Morehead State in a first-class manner," Gordon added. "These five young ladies are also extremely talented athletes who will have a significant impact for us on the court. They have been part of our family during the recruiting process, but it will be great to finally have them here on a regular basis."
Photo captions from top to bottom -- Alyssa Cecil, Maddie Fella, Merideth Jewell, Jordan Jones and Danielle McCarson
