(4/9/08) Paloma Buckner Signs On To Play Volleyball for Ladyjacks

Ladyjack Head volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys announced the signing of Paloma Buckner to a national letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at SFA.

Paloma Buckner: 5-11 setter, Illinois Central (Junior) College. Paloma recorded her school's second-highest assist total when she tallied over 1,300 assists last season for the Cougars. She was named to both the all-region and all-national tournament teams in 2007, leading ICC to the national tournament after they finished ranked fifth nationally in the regular season's final NJCAA Division II poll. Buckner graduated with honors in the top 15 percent of her high school class and was named to both the Dean's List and the Director's List while at ICC.

Congratulations to Coach Humphreys and her staff.

(2/14/08) SFA signs three to join Ladyjack Soccer team

The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer program announced the addition of three student-athletes to join the team for the 2008 season. The signees include:

Katie O'Briant, 5'4", forward/midfielder, Colleyville, Texas
(Grapevine High School): Katie earned two first-team all-district awards and was twice named the district's offensive MVP. O'Briant was the top goal-scorer in the district each of her last two seasons. She spent three years playing premier league club soccer for the Texas Spirit. Katie also spent one year playing in the North Texas regional pool of the Olympic Development Program.

Janae Lee, 5'2", forward, Duncanville, Texas (Duncanville High School): Janae was a four-year starter for Duncanville High where she has earned all-district recognition three times (first-team all-district selection as a junior, after earning second-team honors her sophomore year and honorable mention recognition as a freshman) Into her senior campaign, Janae has put up 11 goals and four assists. She finished her junior season with nine goals and 10 assists. Janae has played club soccer for eight years (four years with the Texas Image 90 squad, followed by two seasons each with the DFW Tejanos 90 and FC Dallas 90).

Stephanie Brown, 5'7", defender, Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch High School): Stephanie has started all four seasons and is a three-time all-district honoree. Stephanie earned the district's defensive MVP in 2006 as a sophomore. She was a second-team selection in both 2005 and 2007. To date, Stephanie has been named to the I-10 All-Tournament team. She has played club soccer for the Eclipse 90 Black squad since 2002 and played for the Texas Premier FC from 1999-02.

Congratulations to the signees and the SFA Ladyjack soccer team.

(11/27/07) SFA Golf adds prep standout

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack golf coach Trey Schroeder announced the signing of Lindale High School standout Stetson McMillan to a national letter of intent. McMillan has performed at a high level for Lindale High School since his sophomore season. He finished third in state and was the district champion in 2006, and followed that up with a district runner-up finish the following season. He has recorded six tournament wins, and has recorded a 71.8 stroke average during his prep career. Hideaway, Texas, native, McMillan is ranked among the state's top 20 according to the Golfweek rankings. In 2006, McMillan was a member of the Texas Junior Golf Tour All-Tour team, and has been on the TJGT Red River Texas Team for two consecutive seasons. McMillan has
recorded success on the regional and national level, along with his
accomplishments at the state level. He has logged 30 top-15 finishes in statewide events, and 12 top-10 finishes at regional and national events to go along with two Texas Legend Tour wins. In addition, McMillan is a member of the AB honor roll and the National Society of High School Scholars.

Congratulations to Coach Schroeder.

(11/15/07) SFA Softball Signs Five during the early signing period

Stephen F. Austin softball coach Gay McNutt announced the addition of five Texas high school recruits during the early signing period. The quintet includes outfielder Amber Price, catcher Kayla Gutowski, infielder Krista Hallmark, infielder Jessica Arana, and first baseman Samantha McKenna.

Amber Price, 5'7", outfielder, Leander Vista Ridge High School: As a junior, Amber earned recognition on the All-Central Texas first team and picked up TGCA All-State honors. She was named to the Hill Country News Dazzling Dozen squad after earning First-Team All-District 26-4A honors and leading her team to the regional finals. As a sophomore, Amber was a second-team all-district selection in softball and earned all-district honors in cross country, along with a berth in the regional championships. She was also a member of the varsity basketball squad that year. In her freshman campaign, Amber earned the starter's role on the diamond and took bronze at the district cross country meet, earning all-district accolades and a trip to the regional meet. She also played junior varsity volleyball and earned a spot on the varsity basketball roster. She plays club softball with the Round Rock Blaze Gold. Amber
also excels in the classroom, where she is a three-time academic
all-district selection in both softball and cross country. She has
earned the same honor for basketball each of the last two seasons and was an academic all-district choice in volleyball as a junior. Price is a member of the National Honor Society.

Kayla Gutowski, 5'7", catcher, Tomball, Texas: Kayla lettered in
basketball and volleyball in her high school career. On the diamond,
Kayla earned second-team all-district honors in 2007, when she helped lead her team to an area championship in Class 5A. She led the squad in home runs as a junior. In her sophomore year, Kayla batted .528 with a gaudy .778 slugging percentage. She played club for the Sudden Impact Gold squad.

Krista Hallmark, 5'2", infielder, Tomball, Texas: Krista has
experience at third base, shortstop and second base. She has been an all-district selection each of the last two seasons and led the district in home runs as a sophomore. Krista was presented with the "All-Around Hustle Award" at a University of Houston softball camp, and she has helped lead her team to a couple of deep playoff trips, including an appearance in the state tournament. Krista plays club softball with the MC Elite Gold 18-U.

Jessica Arana, 5'6", middle infielder, The Woodlands, Texas: Jessica was a two-time all-district performer at The Woodlands High School, where she has been a starter all three years. She has also earned all-state honors in her prep career, as well as winning the district's Newcomer of the Year award and her team's Heart Award and Best Defensive Player Award. Jessica plays club ball with the Houston Power 18-U Gold team. Jessica also excels in the classroom earning academic all-state selection as a junior and has been named to the academic all-district squad all three years. She is a member of the Anchor Club and Principals Council and is a nominee for membership in the National Honor Society of High School Scholars.

Samantha McKenna, 5'11", first baseman, Splendora, Texas: Samantha earned first-team all-district accolades all three years of her career, the first award coming as a utility player and the last two at first base. In 2006, she also won all-county honors at first base.

Congratulations to Coach McNutt and her staff.

(11/14/2007) SFA Ladyjack Volleyball signs three during the early signing period

Head coach Debbie Humphreys announced the signing of Amber Roberts, Melissa Miksch and Mary Bottles to National Letters of Intent to pursue their educations at SFA as members of the Ladyjack volleyball team.

"The 2008 recruiting class is loaded with athleticism and versatility," Humphreys said. They immediately make us quicker and add depth for us at every position."

Amber Roberts: a 5'9" outside hitter from JJ Pearce High School in
Richardson, Texas. Amber played club ball for Dallas Skyline. She was named MVP of the Skyline club, the same club squad that current Ladyjacks JJ Jones, Lauren Railey and Shelly Swendig. At Pearce, Amber was named District 10-4A Newcomer of the Year, where she also earned Defensive Player of the Year. A three-year starter for the Mustangs, she led her squad to a district title in 2005 and all the way to the regional semifinals of the state playoffs. Amber also competed in the open division at the USA Junior Nationals. She has also excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society, the Gifted/Talented Program at Pearce High School and has taken part in the Duke University Talent ID Program.

Melissa Miksch: a 5'9" outside hitter and setter at Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. Melissa was Most Valuable Setter in District 25-5A and was named Bowie's Offensive Player of the Year. A winner of numerous all-tournament awards, Melissa earned a varsity letter all four years for the Bulldogs and was named a team captain. Melissa was an academic all-district selection and ranks in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. She played club ball for the Austin Juniors, and won the Director's Award as well. She was selected to play in the Global Challenge Tournament in Croatia and competed in the Open Division a the USA Junior Nationals the last four years.

Mary Caitlin (MC) Bottles: a 6'0" middle blocker from Rowlett, Texas. Mary was named co-MVP of District 10-5A, as well as a first team all-district selection and Offensive Player of the Year in leading the Eagles to a co-district title. Mary also played club ball for Dallas Skyline squad and competed in the open division at the USA Junior Nationals.

Congratulations to Coach Humphreys' and her staff on another stellar recruiting class.