Rice University Athletics
Rice Signs Three For 2006
12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 1, 2005
HOUSTON - The Rice volleyball team signed Houston's Jessica Boulavsky, Mansfield's Leah Duncan and Natalie Bogan of Berkeley, Calif., to national letters of intent for fall 2006, head coach Genny Volpe announced Thursday.
"I think this is probably one of the most versatile and athletic classes in the country," observed Volpe. "This is by far one of the strongest classes we could have put together. Not only are they going to be great players for us, they are going to be great ambassadors for Rice volleyball. I think they are really going to help us right away."
Boulavsky, a 6-3 product of Clear Brook High School, led the Wolverines to the third round of the 2005 state playoffs. She is a three-time first-team all-district 24-5A honoree. Playing on the right-side for the Texas Tornados volleyball club, Boulavsky's team won the Las Vegas Invitational, the Lone Star Classic and the Big South Atlanta National Qualifier in 2005 as they finished fifth in the open division of the Junior Olympics. Additionally, she is a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the district volleyball all-academic team.
"Jessie is going to add great blocking skills and size right away," said Volpe. "She's a very composed player, very mature player and has played with such a high level of club team, we're looking for her to contribute really quickly. She's a gem. She's got size and athleticism, and she's a great team player. She's also going to do a great job here at Rice academically."
Checking in at 6-1, Duncan is a three-time all-district 4-5A first-team honoree after earning the newcomer of the year award in 2003 at Mansfield High School. She led the Tigers to the district title in 2005 after they won the area championship in 2004 when she was named the district player of the year. As a middle blocker for Texas Advantage Volleyball club, Duncan helped her team to finish second at the Lone Star Classic in 2005. Her club team also finished fifth at the Junior Olympics in 2003. Duncan also earned a spot on the USA Volleyball North Texas Junior Olympic regional team in 2004.
"Leah is another player who shows potential for versatility," Volpe noted. "She's played middle most of her career and we're going to be training her out of the middle and look at her on the right side as well. What she's going to provide for us right away is a solid block and strong play at the net. We are looking for her to compete immediately as well. She is definitely going to add strength at the net."
A 5-11 middle blocker at St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley, Calif., Bogan was named to the Bay Shore Athletic League all-league first team after winning the BSAL title this season. The Panthers' are the 2005 Northern California champions and play for the state crown on Saturday. Bogan was also a first-team BSAL selection in 2004 as her team won the league title. She helped her Golden Bear volleyball club team to finish in the top 10 at the Junior Olympic national championships in 2004 after the program won the bronze medal in 2003. She is also a former all-league triple jumper for the Panthers and a member of the honor roll.
"Natalie is very athletic and also plays on one of the best club teams in the country out of northern California," Volpe said. "She is very explosive and quick in transition, quick to block. Even though her size is not typical of a middle blocker, we still anticipate that being her primary position here at Rice because of her quickness. She has a deceptively big block and she's also just so dynamic on the net."
The trio of newcomers will join eight returning letterwinners from the Owls' 2005 season.
