CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga volleyball coach Travis Filar has not only been busy preparing the
Lady Mocs for the fall, but has also been on the recruiting trail. Sophomore setter
Bridget Camacho (Cumming, Ga.), a transfer from Virginia Commonwealth, and freshman
Melissa Green (Boca Raton, Fla.) are going to be joining the team in August.
"I am really excited about adding to an already solid class
that includes Kasey Talley and Jessi Blackstock, who made their commitment in
November," said Filar. "I feel real fortunate after coming in at the end of
February to gain two additional players in Bridget and Melissa.
"Both of these players are great leaders and have a good
court presence. They are going to bring a sense of competitiveness in the gym. They
are exactly the type of athlete, student and people that we are trying to bring
into the Chattanooga volleyball program."
The two additions provide depth and stability in a couple of
key areas and will create a more competitive practice environment come fall
camp. Camacho provides the Lady Mocs with a second setter something that every
team wants and Green looks to add depth on the back row.
"We now have two very capable high-level setters in Tess [Koycarz]
and Bridget," said Filar. "Right now, Paula [Passmore] is a phenomenal libero, and Melissa
adds depth at that position and is a great ball-control player that is going to
improve the quality of our first contact. We have to have consistent passing for
the type of offensive system that we want to run."
Last season as a freshman at VCU, Camacho played in 28 of 33
matches and totaled 3.83 assists and 1.74 digs per set. The Rams compiled a 13-20
overall mark, but went 9-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as
Camacho helped run an effective 6-2 offensive system.
The Cumming, Ga., native was a four-time all-region and
three-time all-state selection as a setter at Pinecrest Academy. She helped
lead the Paladins to four regional titles including state runner-up as a
freshman and the program's first-ever state championship as a senior. She
played with the A5 Volleyball Club with current Lady Mocs Aneisha Christie and Jennifer
Kuroski.
Camacho graduated Cum Laude in 2010 and was a member of the
National Honor Society at Pinecrest Academy.
"Bridget truly understands the setter position and all of
the demands and responsibilities in leading her team," said Filar. "She is
a student of the game, and has a very steady and confident court presence that
will add to our team's chemistry."
Green is a defensive specialist that graduated from Boca
Raton High School in May. She set a Bobcat record with 443 digs during her
senior campaign and became the first libero in the region to earn Palm Beach Post Large-School Player of
the Year. The Boca Raton, Fla., native was additionally named first team
all-county and all-conference as the Bobcats' team captain. Green also played
for Tribe volleyball club on the program's top team.
She participated in the Bobcat Buddies, a group assisting
special needs students, and the Triangle of Truth, an organization that raises
awareness about the issues in Darfur, at BRHS.
"Melissa's energy, fire, and competitiveness on the court
are contagious," said Filar. "She will be a huge addition to our back row play
and overall quality of first contacts and ball control. Melissa is a
natural leader on and off the court and will positively impact the chemistry
within the team."
Chattanooga volleyball will be conducting three camps from
July 11-16 and has discounted the cost for all three events. The first camp is for all-skills from July 11-12 for ages 10-14. A
High-Potential Camp runs from July 13-15 for the 14-18 age group. The third
camp is the Little Mocs Camp for ages 5-10 on Saturday July 16. For more
information, see the brochure at the top of the page.
2011 Volleyball
Class
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown
(School)
Jessi Blackstock OH 6-0 Killen,
Ala. (Brooks)
Bridget Camacho S 5-10 Cumming, Ga. (Pinecrest Academy) (VCU)
Melissa Green L 5-4 Boca
Raton, Fla. (Boca Raton)
Kasey Talley MB 5-10 Boiling
Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
