Volleyball Adds Pair to 2005 Roster

BOULDER - Dana Crary of Coto de Caza, Calif., and Ashley VenHorst of Bettendorf, Iowa, have confirmed admission to the University of Colorado with the intent to join the volleyball team in the fall. 

Crary and VenHorst double the size of CU's incoming class to four. The duo join Mallori Gibson of Bakersfield, Calif., and Lauren Schaefer of Mountain View, Calif., who signed last fall.  

"We are very pleased to be adding Dana and Ashley to our team," CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. "Ashley attended our camps last summer and we loved her work ethic and energy. Dana comes from a very strong club program which has sent Colorado many fine players. She will shore up a position in which we were very shallow this spring. She brings a lot of experience and some great competitive fire."

Colorado, 14-14 overall in 2004, is expected to return 11 letterwinners, including its entire starting lineup in 2005. The Buffaloes advanced to the NCAA Tournament last fall for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons. 

Dana Crary, 5-10, Middle Blocker, Coto de Caza, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic)
Crary was a three-year letterwinner at Santa Margarita Catholic High School where she earned first team California Interscholastic Federation and second team Serra League honors as a senior. She helped the Eagles to a pair of CIF Division III championships and a state runner up finish in 2003. Crary hails from the same Orange County Volleyball Club program as several prominent CU alumni including All-Americans Kelly Campbell (1996-99) and Monique Gerlach (2000-03) and current AVP tour member Rachel Wacholder (1993-96).

Ashley VenHorst, 5-7, Defensive Specialist, Bettendorf, Iowa (Pleasant Valley)

VenHorst, who will become CU's first ever player from the state of Iowa, earned four letters at setter for Pleasant Valley and will play defensive specialist for the Buffaloes. She is a two-time all-district and All-Mississippi Athletic Conference first team selection. VenHorst gained third team all-state honors as a senior, was named team MVP and played in the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Senior All-Star Classic. As a junior she earned all-state honorable mention while guiding the Spartans to the MAC title. A versatile athlete, she also competed in basketball, track and soccer at Pleasant Valley. She was a second team all-state performer in soccer as a junior, helping the Spartans to three regional titles.