Melissa Harper Class: Senior Hometown: Peoria, Ariz. High School: Peoria Height: 6-0 Position: MB Experience: 3L

2008

A continuing force in the middle blocker position, Harper led the Lady Buffs and the Lone Star Conference in hitting percentage in her third season with the team. She appeared in 38 matches, killing 354 balls in 795 attempts for a hitting percentage of .333 and an average of 2.90 kills per set. She also led the team and was second in the conference in blocks, tallying 22 block solos and 107 block assists for 129 total blocks (1.06 blocks per set). Against Emporia in the semifinals of the South Central Regional tournament, Harper put up eight blocks to tie for eighth in the WT record books for blocks in a match. She also tied for eighth in block solos in a match, and earned the seventh spot for attack percentage in a match for her .810 percentage performance against Cameron on Oct. 25. Harper joined the ranks as a Lady Buff all-American, being selected as an AVCA Honorable Mention. She was also named to the AVCA all-Region first team, the Daktronics South Central all-Region second team, and the LSC all-Conference first team. Harper was also listed to the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll for her performance in the classroom.

2007

Harper's role as a dominant middle blocker was greatly increased in her second season with the team. She appeared in all 43 matches and racked up 479 kills, averaging 3.337 kills per game. Her match percentage of .786 against Panhandle State on Aug. 24 tied for ninth on the WTAMU match percentage list in the school records. She also tied with Julie Myatt for ninth in attack percentage in a season, with .356. She led the LSC in hitting percentage and was selected as the Lone Star Conference MVP. She was also named to the LSC all-Conference first team.

2006

Harper appeared in 26 matches during her freshman campaign and contributed 76 kills in 183 chances for an average of 1.46 kills per game. She piled up 39 total blocks on the year, five solo and 34 block assists and enjoyed an outstanding performance against Harding on Aug. 26, collecting a season-high 10 kills with three blocks.

High School

Harper attended Peoria (Ariz.) High and played for head coach Robin McDowell as a middle blocker. She was honored as an all-State Honorable Mention as well as first team all-Region and Team MVP in 2005. Harper is the daughter of Kristie Harper and Jerry Bruen.