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April 14, 2008

CANYON, Texas - Riding the momentum of back-to-back Lone Star Conference Championships and National semifinal appearances, the West Texas A&M volleyball has received the commitments of two outstanding student-athletes for the upcoming 2008 season. Erika Dupree and Leah Flatness join Kristen Beck and Kayla McKinny, who signed during December, to bring the 2008 recruiting class up to four.

Dupree is a 5-foot-9 setter/outside hitter from Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas. As a senior, Dupree garnered Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 4A All-State and Academic All-State honors following her senior year in which she helped lead Poteet High to a regional quarterfinal appearance. A four-time All-District selection, Dupree also played club with Dallas Premier - 18 Mizuno and the Texas Assault 17 Kaepa, 16 Elite. Dupree was selected to play for the North Texas Region team during the 2007 USA Volley High Performance Championships.

"Erika is a very versatile player who is capable of playing several positions for us," said head coach Tony Graystone. "She is most experienced as a setter and right side hitter, but has begun training as an outside hitter and shows promise there as well. Erika's flexibility and athleticism will add a great deal of depth to our lineup as well as give her more opportunities to help us immediately."

Flatness is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter who has the opportunity to make an impact for the Lady Buffs on the court as a freshman following her prep career at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.. As a senior, Flatness racked up 356 kills and 339 digs to earn honorable mention All-State honors as well second team All-State accolades from the Arizona Tribune. She served as team captain for HHS and garnered Team MVP honors after her freshman and senior seasons, while being named a AIA Scholar Athlete all four years. Flatness played club ball with the Arizona Juniors.

"Leah is a truly gifted outside hitter who will make a dramatic impact on our program," Graystone said. "She's a big jumper who will score a lot of points for us, but she also possesses a great block and enough ball control to make her a 6-rotation player. Leah is a huge signing for WT and will compliment our line-up extremely well."