AZUSA, Calif.-- Azusa Pacific volleyball head coach Chris Keife has announced the signing of 8 new recruits for the 2005 season.

All 8 of the incoming athletes are freshmen, 6 of them from Southern California, and all have the ability to step in and contribute from the outset.

“I am very excited about this recruiting class,” said Keife, who guided the Cougars to a 20-13 finish last year and an appearance in the NAIA Region II Playoffs. “I could not have asked for a better group of girls who will represent everything about Azusa Pacific and uphold the values of this institution. To have these athletes in our program for 4 season is wonderful.”

Kacey Brooks prepped at Liberty High in Brentwood, Calif. A utility player, the 5’ 10” Brooks has an ability to play a variety of positions, which will enable her to step in to any situation and contribute.

After prepping 4 varsity seasons at PUC Prep in Angwin, Calif., Brittany Brown will compete for time on the outside. Brown was a 3-time all-county selection, earning Napa County Player of the Year honors earlier this year. She helped lead the Falcons to a 4-year 78-15 mark. An accomplished athlete, Brown also played 4 years of varsity basketball and 2 years of varsity golf.

A 4-year standout at Riverside Christian High, Megan Burch comes in looking to push for a starting spot on the right side, although she has the ability to play on the outside as well. Burch was a 3-time All-CIF selection and a 4-time All-Metro League honoree, earning MVP honors in each of her final 3 seasons. She led the Cougars to 4 straight Metro League titles and 4 straight CIF appearances, including a semifinal appearance as a 2003 junior. This past year, Burch set a school- and county-record with 30 kills in a match.

One of 2 new setters, Heather Flores prepped 3 varsity seasons at Centennial High in Corona, Calif. Flores was a 2-time All-Mountain View League first team selection and holds Centennial records for assists in a match (60), season (984) and career (2,326). Flores will compete for a starting setting role and will also see time in the back row as a defensive specialist.

Allison Kincheloe will also compete for the starting setter spot. A 2-year varsity athlete at Southern California-power Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif., Kincheloe was part of 2 CIF Southern Section and CIF Division II State Finalist squads. The Monarchs won the 2003 CIF-SS title. As a 2004 senior, she earned All-CIF and All-Serra League first team honors, and she was named to the CIF-State All-Tournament team after averaging 43 assists per match.

A 3-year varsity athlete at Christian High in San Diego, Calif., Kelsey Knudsen played for former Point Loma Nazarene head coach Barb Wnek. Knudsen was a key figure in the Patriot’s CIF playoff team that advanced to the state tournament. She was named All-CIF second team. Knudsen will push for time in the front row and is a solid blocker.

Defensive specialist Laura Stiles is an exceptional defender with solid ball control skills. Stiles prepped 4 varsity seasons, 2 each at Brethren Christian in Huntington Beach, Calif., and Long Beach Wilson High. She made 3 CIF playoff appearances, including 2 semifinal berths at Wilson where she was part of a pair of Moore League championship teams. Her second year at Brethren, she was named All-Academy League second team.

Another defensive specialist, Mindy Taylor prepped 3 varsity seasons at El Dorado High in Placentia, Calif. Taylor, whose father Mark played football and cousin Melissa played volleyball at Azusa Pacific, was part of 2 CIF Quarterfinal teams at El Dorado. She received Century League honorable mention this past season. A tremendous athlete, Taylor also ran 2 seasons of varsity track (800 and 1600) and played 2 seasons of varsity soccer.

“The one thing athletically that I wanted to accomplish this year was to bring in players who could perform all the skills of volleyball well,” said Keife. “I wanted players who understand the game and can perform all skills at a high level. This will help keep our practices competitive and will give us many options to play with next season. I really feel that the talent level for this program has increased tremendously for next season, and I’m excited about the possibilities.”