Cox Announces Signing of Two During Early Signing Period

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team and head coach Glenn Cox announced the signing of two players during the early signing period to a National Letter of Intent on Friday, Nov. 19. The Pacers will welcome Heather Granger and Hannah Tierney to the squad for the 2011 season.

An outside hitter from Greenville, S.C., Granger played her high school volleyball for the Mavericks of Mauldin High School while playing her club volleyball with Club South.

During her senior season with the Mavericks, she was the leading offensive player tallying 285 kills and 44 service aces while also proving to be an effective defensive player as well as corralling in 305 digs. A two-year captain for the varsity squad, she was tabbed as an All-Region selection in 2010.

While playing club volleyball, Granger recorded 200 kills and led her Top National 17s team in defense in several of their tournament appearances. Her club team made it all the way to ninth in the nation at the AAU nationals this past year.

Equally active in the classroom, Granger has been named a Junior Scholar as well as a Newberry Scholar while participating in the Beta Club, National Honor Society and was a recipient of the President’s Award for academic excellence while participating in multiple service learning projects around Greenville.

“Heather is a solid all-around player who will bring both size and depth to our roster,” mused Cox. “She was the MVP at our summer camp this past summer and is an all-around great person.”

A native of Winchester, Va., Tierney finds her way to USC Aiken from James Wood High School and will provide another imposing 6-0 body to the Pacers front row as a middle blocker. She played her club volleyball for the Northern Virginia Volleyball Association.

In her senior season for the Colonels, she recorded 201 kills while hitting an impressive .333. She also recorded 54 service aces and used her formidable size to knock down 82 blocks while also corralling in 90 digs.

Tierney was named to the All-District first-team in 2010 and in 2009 was named to the second-team while being named her team’s MVP. In 2008, she led her district in blocks.

Also active off the court, Tierney has been a participating member in DECA and the National Honor Society while also being named to the All-A Honor Roll and earning All-Academic District plaudits multiple times.

“Hannah has the potential to be one of biggest blockers in the league,” Cox stated. “She brings some solid size and adds depth to our middle hitting position.

“I’m extremely excited to have signed both of these great kids, and am really looking forward to what next year will hold,” said Cox.

Granger and Tierney join a solid returning nucleus for Cox’s volleyball squad that graduates only one senior after making it all the way to the semifinal round of the 2010 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. The 2010 Pacers finished the regular season with an overall record of 15-16 while wrapping up the regular season fourth in the extremely tough PBC.