Dover, Del. (May 22, 2013) --- Delaware State University's new head women's volleyball coach Lakisya Killingsworth-Putney has announced that three talented high school seniors have signed the National Letter of Intent to attend DSU and join Hornets for the 2013 season.
Accepting scholarship offers from the Hornets are setter Taylor Marshall of Lancaster, OH; middle blocker Jenessa Helu of Danville, Cal.; and outside hitter/middle blocker Ariana Stevens of Los Angeles, Cal.
Marshall (5-7) helped lead Fairfield Union High School to a 20-5 overall record and second straight district championship in 2012. She recorded 1,572 assists during her varsity career, highlighted by school records 636 in a season (2011) and 51 in a match (2011). Marshall tallied 33 assists in the Falcons' 2012 district championship victory.
“Taylor is an outstanding ball handler who should step in and help us right away,” said Killingsworth-Putney. She is a hard worker who comes from an outstanding high school volleyball program.”
Marshall plans to major in Primary Elementary Education at DSU.
Helu (6-0) was a key member of Monte Viste High School's 2012 North Coast (Cal.) Section Div. I semifinalist team. The Mustangs posted a 25-11 overall record during her senior season.
“Jenessa will bring a strong blocking presence to our team,” said Killingsworth-Putney, who ranks among the all-time block leaders at the University of Florida.
Helu intends to pursue an accounting degree at Delaware State University.
Ariana Stevens (left)
Stevens (5-11) helped lead Da Vinci Science High School to an 18-6 record during her last varsity season. An all-conference selection, she was a member of the school's league championship squad.
“Ariana is equally strong as an outside hitter and middle blocker,” Killingsworth-Putney said. “She has worked hard to excel at each position; and should be an asset to our team.”
Stevens plans to study for a degree in biology/pre-health at DSU.
The new Delaware State University head coach added, “Our newcomers are students of the game and passionate about the sport. I am equally impressed with the character and academic credentials of these young ladies. Each should be a good fit for the university as well as the team."
Kisya Killingsworth-Putney was appointed as head coach of the Delaware State University volleyball team this spring. Prior to accepting the DSU position, she served the past two years as an assistant coach at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Bethune-Cookman University.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Killingsworth-Putney was a standout player at the University of Florida from 2004 to '07. During her playing career at Florida, she helped lead the Gators to three Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championships, four SEC regular season titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances. Florida advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2008 and Sweet 16 in 2006 and '07. The Gators compiled a 120-14 overall record and 68-4 mark in SEC regular season matches during her career.
