University of Massachusets Athletics
Volleyball Signs Two More Recruits For 2000 Campaign
March 14, 2000 | Women's Volleyball
March 14, 2000
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts volleyball team has recently signed two more recruits for the upcoming fall campaign. Joining Lindsay Bailey and Crystal Kirk as new additions to the 2000 squad, are Kuulei Kamanao of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kelly Lewis of La Jolla, Calif.
Kamanao is the first recruit from Hawaii to be signed by UMass. A 5'9" setter, she was a four-year letterwinner at Kamehameha High School, where she was a two-time second-team All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu selection in 1998 and 1999 and a second-team All-State honoree in 1999. She helped lead the team to a No. 1 national ranking during her senior season, in which the squad won the state championship.
"Kuulei played for the No. 1 high school team in the country," head coach Bonnie Kenny says. "And she competes for a great club program in Asics Rainbows. She is a very skilled and well-trained Hawaiian volleyball player."
Lewis was a three-year letterwinner for The Bishops School, where she was named the Division IV California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F.) Player-of-the-Year and a Coastal Conference first-team All-League selection in 1999. A 5'11" outside hitter, she also competed in soccer at her high school, where she was a first-team All-C.I.F. selection.
"Kelly is a very athletic and versatile hitter that will add depth to the program," Kenny says. "She has the ability to play a lot of positions and is naturally very strong."
UMass finished fifth in the Atlantic 10 Conference this past season with a 16-13 overall record and a 10-8 mark in conference action. The Minutewomen will return four out of six starters for the 2000 season, and will open up the year at the New Hampshire Tournament from Sept. 1-2. The tournament will also feature Utah and Eastern Michigan.
