Hay adds two to Wolves' 2012 roster

NEWBERRY - Newberry College head volleyball coach Todd Hay has announced the signing of Alexus Horton and Rachel Moran to the Wolves' roster for the 2012 season.

Horton is a 5-foot-10 middle blocker from Austin, Texas, and comes to Newberry from Pflugerville Connally HS and played her club ball with Austin Juniors. She played with Austin Juniors at the 2012 USA Volleyball Junior National Championships. She was first team all-district as a senior and second team all-district as a junior, earning first team all-academic honors in both seasons. She is the daughter of Paul and Rochelle Marshall.

"Alexus brings quickness, athleticism and a strong arm to our middle blocker position," Hay said. "She provides immediate depth and will compete for playing time as a freshman."

Moran is a 5-foot-8 setter or right side player from Cypress, Texas, and comes to Newberry from Cypress Woods HS and played her club ball with Willowbrook Volleyball Club. She was a five-time captain for her Willowbrook teams and helped lead those teams to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships on three occasions. In 2010, she led Cy-Woods to the Class 5A state semifinals and the team made the Class 5A final eight in 2011. She is the daughter of Dan and Teri Moran, and her brother Luke was a 14th round MLB Draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2012.

"Rachel will provide us with not only strong setting skills, but a strong left-handed attack on the right side as well," Hay said. "She will contribute and add depth at both positions."

The Wolves start the 2012 season on August 31 and September 1 with four matches at the Francis Marion Invitational in Florence.