University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Santos Announces Addition of Three to Bulldog Volleyball
12.11.2019 | Women's Volleyball
ASHEVILLE – UNC Asheville head volleyball coach Frederico Santos announced the signing of three student-athletes who will join the program as freshmen ahead of the 2020 season.
The class features one local product from Asheville's A.C. Reynolds High School, and will fill needs at multiple positions, including outside hitter, middle blocker and setter.
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Kat Cruser | Outside Hitter | Rockville, Ind. | Riverton Parke HS
Cruser comes to UNC Ashville from Riverton Parke High School in Rockville, Ind. An offensive juggernaut, Cruser broke school records for kills in a match with 38, kills in a season with 554, and kills in a career with 1,592.
Cruser earned distinction as an all-conference performer after her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, and was named MaxPreps Player of the Week nine times during her career.
Santos on Cruser:
"Kat is a 6-rotation player who hits a heavy ball on the pin and will fight to her last breath. She is always looking to improve and is very coachable. She has always brought her teammates together and we expect that will continue here."
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Ona Elkins | Setter | Asheville, N.C. | A.C. Reynolds HS
Elkins will stay home to play collegiately, joining the Bulldogs from A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville. Elkins earned all-conference and all-tournament honors, and was a Western North Carolina second-team and honorable mention selection during her career. She also earned an Ingles Player of the Week nod during her prep career.
She excelled as a student, ranking eighth in her class of 301, helping her to earn recognition as an NCHSA Scholar Athlete and AAU Academic All-American. She was also named an Arby's Inspirational Student-Athlete.
Santos on Elkins:
"Ona is truly a student of the game. Her work in the classroom is indicative of how smart she plays and her understanding of offensive systems of play. Her court vision, fierce competitiveness and leadership will make impact our team tremendously. She will add depth and competition to our setter position."
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Kasey Thacker | Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter | Rome, Ga. | Coosa HS
Thacker comes to UNC Asheville after prepping at Coosa High School in Rome, Ga.. Thacker helped lead her team to state championships in 2017 and 2018, and earned recognition as the Georgia 6AA Player of the Year in 2018.
Thacker was named to the Georgia All-State team three times, while also being named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association all-region team and Phenom List.
Santos on Thacker:
"Kasey is a very versatile player who can give us depth in every position. Being a Georgia state champion and player of the year shows us the type of player she is: a leader and selfless teammate. Kasey will help our team and represent UNC Asheville incredibly well over the course of her college career."
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The class features one local product from Asheville's A.C. Reynolds High School, and will fill needs at multiple positions, including outside hitter, middle blocker and setter.
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Kat Cruser | Outside Hitter | Rockville, Ind. | Riverton Parke HS
Cruser comes to UNC Ashville from Riverton Parke High School in Rockville, Ind. An offensive juggernaut, Cruser broke school records for kills in a match with 38, kills in a season with 554, and kills in a career with 1,592.
Cruser earned distinction as an all-conference performer after her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, and was named MaxPreps Player of the Week nine times during her career.
Santos on Cruser:
"Kat is a 6-rotation player who hits a heavy ball on the pin and will fight to her last breath. She is always looking to improve and is very coachable. She has always brought her teammates together and we expect that will continue here."
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Ona Elkins | Setter | Asheville, N.C. | A.C. Reynolds HS
Elkins will stay home to play collegiately, joining the Bulldogs from A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville. Elkins earned all-conference and all-tournament honors, and was a Western North Carolina second-team and honorable mention selection during her career. She also earned an Ingles Player of the Week nod during her prep career.
She excelled as a student, ranking eighth in her class of 301, helping her to earn recognition as an NCHSA Scholar Athlete and AAU Academic All-American. She was also named an Arby's Inspirational Student-Athlete.
Santos on Elkins:
"Ona is truly a student of the game. Her work in the classroom is indicative of how smart she plays and her understanding of offensive systems of play. Her court vision, fierce competitiveness and leadership will make impact our team tremendously. She will add depth and competition to our setter position."
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Kasey Thacker | Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter | Rome, Ga. | Coosa HS
Thacker comes to UNC Asheville after prepping at Coosa High School in Rome, Ga.. Thacker helped lead her team to state championships in 2017 and 2018, and earned recognition as the Georgia 6AA Player of the Year in 2018.
Thacker was named to the Georgia All-State team three times, while also being named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association all-region team and Phenom List.
Santos on Thacker:
"Kasey is a very versatile player who can give us depth in every position. Being a Georgia state champion and player of the year shows us the type of player she is: a leader and selfless teammate. Kasey will help our team and represent UNC Asheville incredibly well over the course of her college career."
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