SAU volleyball adds one to program

MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Southern Arkansas volleyball coach Steven Gream has announced the signing of Bentonville High School standout Hailey McNee to the Lady Mulerider program.

A 5-11 outside hitter, McNee earned All-State honors and was a part of two 7A state championship teams at Bentonville, and also played club volleyball at a high level.

After 7A state championships in 2010 and 2011, she guided Bentonville back to the state tournament this past year, recording 47 kills, 33 digs and six service aces in their three matches and was named to the All-State Tournament team. She finished the season with 295 kills, averaging 3.47 per set, a .299 attack percentage, 62 service aces and 248 digs.

McNee was a first team all-conference selection, named to the Northwest Arkansas Media Big 7 team, was a member of the Arkansas volleyball all-star team, was selected a national AVCA/Max Preps player of the week and was Bentonville's team MVP.

On the club scene, she played for Club One in Tulsa, Okla., participating in the Junior Olympic nationals four consecutive years which included a fifth-place finish in 2010. She is currently playing for Ozark Juniors in Fayetteville.

SAU is coming off of its third consecutive successful season under the direction of Gream, reaching the semi-final of the Great American Conference tournament for the second consecutive year. Gream has compiled a 60-40 mark over the past three years, after the 2009 team had gone 1-32 prior to his arrival.

The team's 23-12 record this past season was the most wins and second-best NCAA finish since the 1996 squad went 27-10. They finished the conference regular season tied at second, setting the school NCAA mark in winning six consecutive league matches and matching the school record of nine consecutive wins since being affiliated with the NCAA.

"Hailey comes from an excellent high school program and a talented club team," stated Gream. "She is a talented player who will contribute greatly by using her skills as a hitter, server and passer. She has experience playing multiple positions which makes her very valuable to the program, and her skills will only improve as she gets accustomed to the college game."