UAlbany Volleyball Coach MJ Engstrom Announces Four Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010 Season

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's volleyball coach MJ Engstrom announced today that four student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Kaley Jacobson, Lindsey McCloskey, Vanessa Sheffield and Tamara Weems have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Great Danes next year.

A 5-foot-9 setter from Watertown, Wis. and a four-year letterwinner, Jacobson was a two-time captain and was the Public School Athlete of the Year in 2010. Jacobson helped lead Watertown to the Little 10 Conference Championship in 2007 and 2009, and guided the Goslings to the 2007 Wisconsin Division I State Championship in 2007. Jacobson is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Society.

"As a setter, Kaley has a great feel for her hitters, tremendous court sense and is extremely competitive," Engstrom explained. "She's a very exciting player to watch and has the leadership skills required for the setting position."

McCloskey, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was a three-year letterwinner at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. A senior captain, McCloskey helped guide the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section Championship Quarterfinals in 2007 and the second round in 2009. She was also a captain of the SCVA High Performance Club team in 2009, and played for five years on the TCA SC Volleyball Club. McCloskey, who was also a member of the soccer, basketball, softball and swimming programs, competed in the USA Junior Olympics for five straight years from 2005 to 2009. She was also an ocean lifeguard for the City of Huntington Beach for five years.

"Lindsey has been successful in one of the toughest leagues in the nation," Engstrom said. "I look for her to have an immediate impact in both the front and back row this season."

Sheffield, who committed to the Great Danes during the early signing period in November, is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter hailing from Oswego, N.Y. A two-time team captain, Sheffield was a three-time Section III Class AA All-CNY All-Star and an All-American League first-team selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Sheffield, who also played for the Onondaga Storm Volleyball Club, was named the Section III CNYCL American League Player of the Year as a junior and senior and earned All-State Class AA honors in 2009. Also a letterwinner in basketball and track and field, Sheffield was a member of the National Honor Society and was a high honor roll student as a scholar-athlete, posting a 3.70 grade point average.

"Vanessa is an outstanding athlete with huge potential and I'm very happy that we have another New York State player on our roster," Engstrom said.

Weems, a 6-foot middle blocker and middle hitter, is a two-time captain of Bishop McNamara High School in Upper Marlboro, Md. "Tamara is the second player from Bishop McNamara to become a Great Dane," Engstrom state. "She's very quick both laterally and off the floor and we predict will have an immediate impact in the front row."

A four-time letterwinner, Weems finished her career with 447 kills, 114 blocks, 241 digs and 153 service aces. She was the team's most valuable player in 2008 and 2009, and earned Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first team honors in those same seasons. As a junior, Weems was named first-team All-Prince George's County before earning county Player of the Year accolades as a senior. She was also an honorable mention All-WCAC selection and earned all-county second-team honors in 2007.

"I am very excited about the class of 2010 because they have the potential to make significant contributions this season," Engstrom explained. "All four have a tremendous work ethic, are very athletic and have great attitudes."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information