Nov. 18, 2015 LMU Volleyball on Facebook | | LMU Volleyball on Instagram
While sixth-year head coach Tom Black's attention is certainly focused on trying to guide his team to its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years, he has also taken a quick peek at the future of his program with the signing of a pair of standout student-athletes for 2016. Savannah Slattery (Notre Dame HS) and Jessie Prichard (Santiago HS) have both committed to playing for the Lions next year.
"We are absolutely thrilled about the caliber of our 2016 class," Black said. "On and off the court, we have a collection of driven young women, committed to being the best they can be on the court, in the sand, and in the classroom. In the two student-athletes we present today, and in the 2016 class as a whole, we couldn't more proud of who they are. They strive daily to achieve at the highest level."
Slattery is a three-year varsity starter for Notre Dame High School. The six-rotation player helped guide her team to the CIF Southern Section playoffs each of the last three years, including a semi-final finish in 2013 while leading the team in kills during both her junior and senior years. A 2014 All-League selection, she was also named All-Foothill Tournament team in 2013, and took home an All-Tournament selection at the prestigious Redondo Power Classic as a senior while guiding her team to the semifinals. A talented beach player, she was a 2014 USA U17 Elite 10 National beach team member, and 2015 USA U19 Elite 10 National beach team member. The daughter of Kevin and Madonna Slattery, she spent the last five years playing club volleyball for LAVA South.
"First off, Savannah is a warrior," Black said. "She will play as hard as she can for as long as she can until there is nothing left in the tank. Beyond that, she is such a high character young lady. She has been very well coached and brings an explosive all-around game to our program we cannot wait to continue to develop."
Prichard is a four-year starter at setter for Santiago High School, where she has guided her team to four consecutive League Championships. While earning multiple All-State and All-American selections as a prep player, she was also awarded 2014 Maxpreps Player of the Year. Bursting on the scene as a freshman, Prichard earned a spot on the Frosh 59, marking the best varsity-playing freshmen in America. As a sophomore, she was named MVP of her team while guiding the squad to the CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA Championship and a Division 2 State Championship. She would go on to earn All-CIF honors, a Maxpreps Underclass All-American nod, and PrepVolleyball.com All-American honorable mention accolades. It was more of the same for Prichard in 2014, as she was again named All-CIF and highest honorable mention All-American as a junior. The PrepVolleyball.com National High School Junior of the Year finalist was also named a Maxpreps All-American and the 2014 HS GameTime Player of the Year. Most recently, she garnered 2015 Preseason All-American honors from Maxpreps, and was named to the 2016 Senior Aces "the 150," placing her amongst the top 250 recruits in this year's class. Prichard is a member of the Mavericks Volleyball Club, where she has helped her club to numerous championships.
"Jessie comes to us next year as an exciting piece of our 2016 setting tandem," Black said. "She is a student of the game, always striving to learn and improve the intricacies of her position, and can locate with the best of them. Her ability to connect with her teammates and stabilize the court is impressive, and we cannot wait to have her, and all of her 2016 teammates, join us in August."
The 2015 LMU volleyball season continues on Saturday at Noon when the Lions host Pepperdine in a PCH Cup match on Senior Day.
