March 23, 2000

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Virginia head volleyball coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton has announced the signing of Whitney Ashcraft (Yorktown, Ind./Burris) to a national letter of intent to attend the University of Virginia and play volleyball for the Cavaliers beginning in the 2000-01 academic year. Ashcraft will be joining talented recruits: Shannon Boyle (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy), Kimberly "Paige" Davis (Austin, Texas/Westlake), Kathleen "Katie" Synan (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor), and Anne "Abby" Whittenburg (Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo) who all signed with Virginia in February.

Ashcraft is a 5-9 outside hitter and defensive specialist. She was a three-year starter at nationally-ranked Burris High School as an outside hitter and middle back. Ashcraft has garnered Indiana All-State awards in 1997 and 1999, while earning a spot on the Indiana All-Tournament team in 1999. She missed the 1998 volleyball season with a knee injury. In addition, she was a four-year starter in basketball, earning All-Mid-Eastern Conference honors in 1998. Ashcraft was also named to the All-Sectional team in 1998. Ashcraft also lettered in track twice.

Ashcraft was an Honors Scholar from 1996-1999. As a volleyball player, she was named the Mid-Eastern Conference Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year, and was also named All-Mid-Eastern Conference in 1996, 1997, and 1999.

"Whitney is an extraordinary addition to an already amazing class. She brings years of volleyball knowledge and experience to our team. I am confident her ball control and desire to win will earn her a substantial role next fall," said Shelton.

Virginia finished the 1999 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the ACC. The Cavaliers earned their second consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament in 1999, but fell to Arizona 3-0 in the first round on December 2, in Austin, Texas.