Nov. 15, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa volleyball program announced the signings of three prep standouts today. Megan Eskew, Katie Kennedy and Aimee Huffman all signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall.
Eskew, a 5-9 defensive specialist from Schererville, IN, is a four-time all-area selection and was a third team all-state selection from the Chicago Tribune as a junior at Marist High School. She was named the Daily Southerner Player of the Year and is a two-time all-conference performer. Eskew led her team to back-to-back conference championships her junior and senior years. She played on the Celtic Force Volleyball Club, where they won the USA Volleyball 15 Open National Championship in 2004. Eskew was named to the all-America team and the tournament MVP.
“Megan is one of the most competitive individuals we’ve watched,” Iowa Head Coach Cindy Fredrick said. “She is a dynamic jumper, and hits with a great deal of heat. Even more impressive is her back row, as a defensive player and passer she will be even more valuable.”
Huffman, a 6-0 hitter from Poth, TX, is a four-time first team all-state selection, two-time district MVP and two-time state tournament MVP. Huffman led her team to class 2A state championships as a sophomore and junior. She plays club volleyball for the Centex 18’s.
“Aimee comes from a highly successful high school program,” Fredrick said. “She attended our camp for two years, as her dad is a native of Iowa City and her grandparents live here. Aimee could play a couple of positions for us, including middle, right side and setter. Aimee is a solid all-around player who should bring some more fire power to the front row.”
Kennedy is a 6-1 outside hitter from Iowa City, where she attended City High. Kennedy is a three-time first team all-conference, all-area, all-district and all-state selection. She led her Little Hawks team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament as a sophomore. Kennedy recorded 300+ kills in each of her final three seasons, while hitting over .400. She has also been a force at the net with more than 80 blocks in each of her last three years. Kennedy has played club volleyball for the Iowa Rockets since sixth grade.
“Katie was someone we had our eye on from the minute we came to Iowa,” Fredrick said. “She is a formidable force at the net; a very good blocker and a smart hitter. Katie was a Hawkeye from the get-go, and we’re very excited about the talent she will bring to the front court both offensively and defensively. It’s very special to bring someone of Katie’s ability to our program and to have her from our own backyard makes it even better. Katie comes from one of the best high school programs in the state, and will be a great asset to our program.”