APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Volleyball
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University head volleyball coach Taylor Mott has had barely a month to settle in but has filled a pair of needs for the 2012 season, signing April Adams, of Ashland City Tennessee, and Samantha Strother, of Richmond Texas, to national letters of intent.
Adams, a 5-6 libero, recently led Harpeth High School to a 21-5 record and the TSSAA Class AA sectional round for the third consecutive year. She recorded 433 digs as a senior and was named Most Valuable Player in District 11AA and the District 11AA tournament. Adams also recorded 402 digs as a junior in her first full season as a libero.
“We are excited to have April join our program,” said Mott. “She is tenacious on defense and will push her teammates to give 100 percent at all times. Finding a libero for the upcoming year was one of our critical needs and I believe April is the right person for that role.”
Strother, a 6-0 outside hitter, helped lead Second Baptist School in Houston to a state semifinal appearance in Class 3A of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) with a team-best 301 kills (3.8 per set) and 67 service aces (0.85 per set). She was a second-team All-State selection, a first-team all-district pick, an all-tournament honoree and an all-academic team choice by TAPPS.
“Samantha is a versatile attacker with experience playing the outside and opposite positions,” said Mott. “We are excited to be getting an athlete who can contribute at multiple positions and has the ability to play both front and back row.”
Strother began her prep career at Travis High School in Richmond. As a junior she recorded 319 kills, 64 service aces and 368 digs and was a first-team all-district selection. She had 102 kills, 36 service aces and 163 digs as a sophomore.
2012 Austin Peay Volleyball Incoming Class
April Adams, 5-6, libero, Ashland City, TN. (Harpeth HS)
Sammie Ebright, 6-0, outside hitter, Sunbury, Ohio (Big Walnut HS)
Aubrey Marsellis, 6-1, setter, Owasso, OK. (Owasso HS)
Samantha Strother, 6-0, outside hitter, Richmond, Texas (Second Baptist School)
