Rice University Athletics
Rice Volleyball Signs Two for 2010
12/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 1, 2009
Houston -- Rice University head volleyball coach Genny Volpe has announced the signing Megan Shepard from Dripping Springs, Texas, and Mariah Riddlesprigger from Fresno, Calif., to National Letters of Intent to attend Rice and play volleyball for the Owls beginning in the fall of 2010.
Shepard, a 6' 1" outside hitter, is Dripping Springs High School's all-time season leader in kills with 526 in 2009, and sported a .270 hitting percentage in being named MVP of District 26 4-A. She also led the Tigers to the state regional quarter-finals after winning the district and bi-district championships. A strong defender and passer, Shepard collected 305 digs as a senior 2009 and served up 78 aces. She hit a season-high 23 kills vs. Klein Collins H.S. Dripping Springs H.S. finished the 2009 season with a 37-11 record and a 12-0 mark in district play.
Shepard, in 2009, earned all-tournament accolades at the West Wood Tournament, Fraulein Fest, and Pearland Tournament. Dripping Springs won the Silver Bracket at the Fraulein Fest and at the Pearland Tournament. In 2007, Shepard earned first team All-District 16-4A and was the Newcomer of the Year for District 26-4A.
On the club scene, Shepard played for Austin Juniors Volleyball Club and led it to a third-place finish at the 2009 Junior Olympics in Miami Beach, Fla. Megan is the daughter of H. Leigh Shepard II and Sharon Neugebauer-Shepard. Her mother was an All-American volleyball and track & field athlete at the University of Texas and was inducted into Texas' Hall of Honor in 2005.
Riddlesprigger, an outside hitter for Bullard H.S., was named district MVP as well as earning all-tournament accolades at the Clovis Classic and Beach City Invitational during her senior season. The Knights finished the 2009 season with a 25-7 record. As a junior, Mariah was a first team all-district selection and second team all-conference. She was also the Bullard Knights' team MVP.
