The Stanford Cardinal women’s volleyball team has five incoming freshmen in 2010, three outside hitters, one defensive specialist, and one middle blocker that make up a young group of players with plenty of playing experience. Prep Volleyball.com named Stanford’s volleyball team third in the country in its annual ranking of the Top 30 Recruiting Classes.
Outside spiker and 2009 California Gatorade Player of the Year Rachel Williams will bring an impressive list of accomplishments with her when she steps onto the USC campus next year. Rachel is the 2008 and 2009 California Interscholastic Federation State Champion and was named an AVCA High School First Team All-American. Both Volleyball Magazine and Max Preps named her National High School Player of the Year.
Another Cardinal outside hitter, Lydia Bai, is the daughter of 1984 Chinese Olympic gold medalist as a player and 2008 US Olympic silver medalist as a coach, Jenny Lang Ping. With that impressive pedigree, Lydia is expected to be one of the most versatile players to wear a Cardinal jersey next year. She attended Arnold Beckman High School for four years, where she was the captain of her team, she was named a first-team All-Pacific League her freshman year and was the Pacific League Most Valuable Player in 2009.
Lydia’s international experience includes being a member of the US Junior National Team.
Carly Wopat is a 6’2″ middle blocker who will be attending Stanford with her 6’1″ twin sister, spiker Sam Wopat. The sisters are 2009 CIF Southern Section Champions and helped lead their Dos Pueblos High School team to two Canal League titles. Carly’s accomplishments include:
-Being named the Most Valuable Player of the Channel League
-California Gatorade Player of the Year Award Finalist
-was a 2009 PrepVolleyball All-American
-in 2009 a Volleyball Magazine All-American
-#4 on the PrepVolleyball Senior Aces list
Sam Wopat’s achievements are similar to his sister’s. The four-year-old varsity volleyball player was a two-time All-Channel League first-team selection, as well as a member of the CIF Southern Section first-team. Volleyball Magazine selected her to be on her second team All-American and she was also named a PrepVolleyball High School All-American.
Considered one of the top high school defensive specialists, Mary Luck is a district champion and regional finalist who attended Stratford High School in Houston, Texas.
The Texas All-Star earned All-State honors last year and was named the District 18-5A Most Valuable Player. Mary’s club team is the Texas Elite Volleyball Club where he competed for three years.
