July 15, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- The 2008 USC women's volleyball recruiting class has been ranked third in the nation by Volleyball Magazine. It is the second straight year that USC has rated the No. 3 overall class.

A total of six newcomers join the Women of Troy this season, including two Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selections: 5-11 setter Kendall Bateman (Manhattan Beach/Mira Costa HS) and 6-3 outside hitter Alex Jupiter (Hermosa Beach/Redondo Union HS). The two other freshmen are 5-11 libero/outside hitter Kati Cattaneo (Santa Barbara/Dos Pueblos HS) and 5-7 defensive specialist Paige Obradovich (Laguna Beach/Laguna Beach HS). Two transfers round out the group: 6-2 middle blocker Audrey Eichler (Pacific Palisades/Boston College) and 5-11 outside hitter Emilie Stewart (Seal Beach/Fordham)

USC, coming of its fourth NCAA Final Four appearance in the past six years, will open the 2008 season at the prestigious Runza/AVCA College Showcase in Omaha, Neb., against Big 12 opponents Texas and Nebraska (Aug. 29 and 31). Both matches will be broadcast live nationally on CBS College Sports.