FAIRFAX, Va. – The season for George Mason University's women's volleyball team may have finished only 10 days ago, but head coach Jackie Simpson-Kirr and her staff are already looking ahead and announced the signings of setter Emily Konchan and defensive specialist Emily Haak to the team's class of 2017.
"In our first recruiting class we brought in players at a variety of positions around whom to build our defensive system and with attackers to stabilize our out-of-system transition offense," Simpson-Kirr said. "The 2017 class brings in increased ball control for first and second contact and will be the core of our offensive system moving forward."
Emily Konchan – Providence High School | S | 5-10 | Charlotte, N.C.
After running the Panthers' offense in the last few years (two of them as a captain), Emily Konchan completed her career at Providence High School with a well-decorated resume that includes a South Meck 8 Player of the Year honor and an Under Armour All-America Honorable Mention. In addition to Konchan's eye-catching performances on the court, she excelled in the classroom and graduated with nearly a remarkable 4.95 weighed GPA. Konchan was also the president of her class as a freshman and a sophomore, an active National Honor Society member, and a Junior Marshall.
"Emily has quick hands and a great release point and will add speed to our offense, which will give our smaller outside hitters the opportunity to find increased success pin to pin," Simpson-Kirr said about her recruit. "She has developed tremendously as a court leader and has the physicality at the net to be a great setter in the Atlantic 10 Conference."
Emily Haak – Woodgrove High School | DS | 5-7 | Round Hill, Va.
Emily Haak has already accumulated over 10 seasons' worth of volleyball experience at the high school and club levels. Haak split her varsity athletic success in high school between volleyball (2 years) and track (2 years), but ultimately decided to follow her mother's steps in intercollegiate volleyball after earning all-conference honors and captaining the Wolverines in both sports. Off the court, Haak has developed a love for science, which has brought her much success as well: two Woodgrove High School – Outstanding Achievement in Science awards; the George Washington University Young Scientist Award; Data Forensics Lab – Clarity of Presentation Award; and second places in astronomy and physics in the Loudoun County Science Fair.
"Emily is a great addition to our program," the head coach said. "She has a natural passing platform and a desire to be the best. She is extremely hard-working and the epitome of a team player. She has high standards for herself and her teammates and will bring great value to our program on and off the court."
