Jan. 13, 2012
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball program has received signed national letters of intent from Kinsey Caldwell, Ceannia Kincade and Bree Hammel to enroll at the university and play for the Rebels starting in the fall of 2012, head coach Cindy Fredrick announced.
"We are very excited about the athleticism, competitiveness and citizenship that all three of these young women will add to the Rebel volleyball team," said Fredrick.
Caldwell, a setter and native of Waverly, Iowa - Fredrick's hometown, will graduate from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 2012. She lettered all four years in volleyball for the Go-Hawks. On the court, she led her squad to four consecutive Northeast Iowa Conference titles, two state championships (2009 and '11) and one state semifinalist finish (2010). The Go-Hawks owned a combined 187-16 record in the four years that Caldwell played for the team. She was selected in some capacity to the all-state team all four years: first team in 2009 and '11, second team in '10 and honorable mention in '08. She was named to the all-conference first team each season, while she earned 3A All-Tournament honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was selected to participate in the Iowa Senior All-Star match and Tri-State All-Star matches. Last summer, she led her club team to a first-place finish at the USA Junior National Tournament in the National Division. This spring she will be playing for Club Iowa Juniors.
"Kinsey is a very experienced floor leader with an excellent I.Q. for the game. She will bring a very competitive work ethic and dedication to the Rebel volleyball program."
Kincade, an outside hitter from Baytown, Texas, will graduate from Goose Creek Memorial High School in 2012. She lettered all four years in volleyball and once in track for the Patriots. Kincade helped the volleyball team to an area finalist finish and a 28-13 record in 2011 after a bi-district finalist conclusion to the '09 campaign. She was selected to the Texas Girls Coaches Association's All-State Team and LoneStarVolleyball.com's All-Texas Honorable Mention Team in 2011. She was named the 2011 District 19-4A MVP after being chosen to the second team in '10 and honorable mention in '09. She was tabbed VYPE Magazine's 2011 Preseason Fab Five Stars. She was the named the team's offensive player of the year in 2009 and '10 prior to earning MVP recognition as a senior. She owns the school record in kills (1,002) and blocks (89) in a career. On the track, she participated in the triple jump, 400 meters and 4x400-meter relay, and set school records in each event as a sophomore. She will play for the Absolute Volleyball Academy of Texas (AVA) this club season.
"Ceannia is an outstanding athlete. She is a very dynamic and explosive player, who will be a very positive addition for the Rebels at the net."
Hammel, an outside hitter from Las Vegas, will graduate from Bonanza High School in 2012. She is a three-sport athlete that has lettered in volleyball, soccer and track & field for the Bengals. On the court, Hammel earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior before being named the 4A All-Southwest League's Co-MVP and Sunset Region's MVP. In track & field, she was Bonanza's Field MVP in 2010 and '11, and owns the second-best triple jump in school history (37-7.25). She will play club volleyball with Edge this spring.
"Bree has the potential to play all rotations for us. She is a very strong offensive player, who can also play defense, pass and hit out of the back row."
