May 3, 2001

Chapel Hill, N.C.-- The defending ACC Champions North Carolina Volleyball Team announces the signing of seven players for the 2001 season. Heather Catlin, Caroline DeRoeck, Tammy Foxworth, Camilla Ihenetu, Jayme Mitchell, Molly Pyles, and Katie Wright, as the newest Tar Heels. UNC has won back-to-back ACC Volleyball titles (99 & 00) along with three consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament ('98 -'00) and looks to the future with these new additions to the program.

"I am delighted with the depth of this recruiting class," says head coach Joe Sagula. "They all come from highly successful volleyball programs and should add tremendously to the team concept we are developing here in Chapel Hill."

"Not only are they all outstanding students," says Sagula, "they have been the leaders on their respective teams. Their character and work-ethic will contribute to the team chemistry and the traditions we have established in the past few seasons. We feel fortunate to have this group of quality young people as part of our program and representing our university."

Catlin, a 5'8" outside hitter/defensive specialist of Atlanta, Ga, was also captain of the Marist School volleyball team where she won three straight Georgia state championships. Catlin was the 4A Volleyball Player of the Year for the state of Georgia in 2000 and plays outside hitters for the Atlanta Juniors Volleyball Club.

DeRoeck, a 5'9" outside hitter from Durham, N.C., helped a successful Riverside High School volleyball team to a state championship in her sophomore year, and state runner-up in her junior year. DeRoeck plays USAV for the Piedmont Sets and formerly of the Durham Hitmen. Her sister, Katy, is a freshman and a member of the Wake Forest volleyball team.

Foxworth, a 5'11" middle blocker from Joliet, Ill., joins the Tar Heels after spending two seasons at the University of Florida. Foxworth trained as an outside hitter, played in 38 games, and was named to the 2000 SEC Academic honor roll as anthropology major. Coming out of high school, she was named to Volleyball magazine's 1999 Fab 50 list and played for UNO Volleyball Club.

Ihenetu, a 6'0" middle hitter from Denver, CO, plays for one of the top junior programs in the country the Front Range Volleyball Club. This year Ihenetu earned All-State honors during her season at Kent Denver High School. She has also earned many academic awards over the past 3 years, including the Johnson Foundation Scholar, Ventures Scholar, National Achievement semifinalist, and the Links Award.

Mitchell is a 5'1" defensive specialist from Roscoe, IL where is has been playing volleyball for the past four years at Hononegah Community High School and the Sky High Volleyball Club. Mitchell has been the captain for the past two years for her high school team, a two-time All-Conference section, IHSA Scholar Athlete, Who's Who in Sports for Illinois, and a member of the National Honor Society for 2 years.

Pyles is a 6'0" outside hitter is from Hendersonville, NC and is one of the most talented and recognized volleyball players from the state of North Carolina. She was recently named North Carolina High School Athletic Association Female Athlete of the Year. She has led Hendersonville High School to four State Championships and earned four MVP honors at the state championship tournaments and three times State Player of the Year. Pyles was also named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000. She plays for the Biltmore Bombers in USAV.

Wright, a 6'1" Middle Hitter is from Dunwoody, Ga, helped the Marist School win three state volleyball titles. Wright, a team captain, was selected All Conference and All-State while at Marist. She plays as a middle and outside hitter with the Atlanta Juniors Volleyball Club. An excellent student as well she has been selected to the National Honor Society.