July 23, 2008

CU finalizes 2008 volleyball squad

LAWTON, Oklahoma (July 23) – After initially thinking her 2008 roster was set, Cameron Aggie volleyball head coach Brianne Smedley today announced the signing of one final player: Malyssa Acton of Murphy, Texas. The prospect of adding the recent Plano East Senior High School (Plano, Texas) graduate to the Aggie roster was too good to pass up, and Acton is officially added for next season. She is a 5’10” outside hitter who will begin the semester as a freshman pre-med (pediatrics) major.

“What I think will be a great benefit to our squad is that Malyssa is very solid both offensively and defensively,” Coach Smedley said. “I know her club coaches well so I know that she has gotten great training at the club level.”

Acton has gained tremendous experience in club volleyball, and even participated in the National Junior Olympics in 2006 and 2008 as a member of the Dallas Premier volleyball club. She also played on the Dallas Summit club team in 2004, 2005, and 2007, and was a member of the Richardson Juniors club in 2003.

During her senior season as a Plano East Panther, Acton was the starting right-side hitter for head coach Marcy Crabtree. The previous year, Acton was named her junior varsity squad’s Most Valuable Player. Acton only played one season as a member of the Plano East varsity team, but she had a very impressive senior campaign.

“It is absolutely great to add a player that is as well-balanced as Malyssa, especially this late in the offseason,” Coach Smedley said. “She provides talent all the way around and will be a great addition to our team.”

Acton is an avid environmentalist who enjoys golfing and boating in her spare time. She said her reasoning for choosing CU was the “good, competitive volleyball program and the solid educational opportunity.”

At Plano East, Acton was awarded the Top Cat Award after both her junior and senior seasons for her high GPA. She also graduated with honors this past spring.

As mentioned above, the signing of Malyssa Acton completes the 2008 Cameron University volleyball roster. The team begins play on Saturday, August 23, at the Black and Gold Scrimmage at Aggie Gym. The preseason exhibition begins at 3:00pm.

“I am very excited about our roster and now know that it’s finally complete,” Coach Smedley said. “I can’t wait for the season to start.”

CU’s regular season begins on August 29 when the team takes part in the Arkansas Tech University Tournament in Russellville, Arkansas. At the event the Aggies will take on the likes of Felician College (New Jersey), Arkansas Tech, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, and Drury University.