ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball coach Mary Tendler has announced the signing of three players, Megan Gravley (Cary, N.C./Apex), Catherine Head (Kernersville, N.C./Glenn) and Ana Nicksic (Valaparaiso, Ind./Andrean), for the 2012 season.
 
“We welcome Megan, Cat, Ana and their families to the Elon volleyball program,” said Tendler. “There is no doubt in my mind that this 2012 recruiting class will make an immediate impact on our team. Add this group to our returning players and it will make for an exciting and successful 2012 season.”
 
Gravley, a 6-1outside hitter, recorded 421 kills (5.3 per set), 56 aces and 162 digs in her senior season at Apex High School. A 2011 varsity captain, she led Apex to its fourth consecutive conference championship. Gravley was named the 2011 Tri-9 Conference Player of the Year and is a three-time all-conference selection. As the team’s primary outside hitter in 2010, she recorded 322 kills to help Apex to its first North Carolina 4A state volleyball championship, ending the season with a perfect 27-0 record and a ranking 13th in the country. She is a member of the Triangle Volleyball Club, which has qualified for Junior Nationals four straight years. A four-time North Carolina High School Athletic Association Academic Scholar and academic all-conference selection, Gravley plans on majoring communications and English when she arrives at Elon. She is the daughter of former NC State baseball player Jeff and Mary Gravley.
 
“Megan is a skilled outside hitter who will be equally effective in both the front and back row,” commented Tendler. “I love her steady demeanor on the court and her consistent high level play. She was the first player we got a verbal commitment from and she was the player we built the rest of the class around.”
 
Head, a 6-1 middle blocker, helped Glenn High School to the second round of the state playoffs for the first time in 2009 and again in 2010. In 2010, she led the team to the Piedmont Triad 4A co-conference championship as the team MVP. Head, a three-year varsity letterman, was also named to the Piedmont Triad 4A All-Conference Team in 2010 as the team recorded its most wins in school history. A member of the Piedmont Triangle Volleyball Club, Head was named the 2010 Capital Hill Classic MVP and Best Blocker, while the team won the Capital Hill Classic Championship. Head plans on majoring in exercise science when she arrives at Elon. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Glenda Head.
 
“Cat brings size and athleticism to our middle blocking position,” described Tendler. “Every time I watch her play, I am even more excited to have her join our team. She has a passion to block balls, which will help our defense out tremendously.”
 
Nicksic, a 6-0 setter, is a three-time all-conference first team and all-area selection. A four-year starter, she helped Andrean High School to the 2011 conference title, a program first, and a semi-state playoff birth. In 2008, Nicksic earned all-conference honorable mention as the team tied for first in the conference and won the sectional championship. As a member of Ultimate Volleyball, she qualified for nationals in 2010 and 2011. Nicksic, a three-year member of the honor roll, plans to major in biology when she arrives at Elon. She is the daughter of former Wabash College basketball player Steve and Tami Nicksic.
 
“The setter plays a crucial position on a volleyball team,” said Tendler. “A setter not only needs to set an accurate ball but she needs to help us defensively and be a leader on the court. With Ana’s talent and personality, she will bring all of this and more to our team.”