BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University volleyball has inked three student-athletes for 2010, announced head coach Matt Ginipro Monday afternoon. Two of the signees hail from Kansas while one comes to Appalachian from North Carolina.

"We are very fortunate to have Jess, Lauren and Sophie joining our program next fall," Ginipro said. "All three bring a ton of talent and excitement to our program. On top of that, they all have been bleeding Black and Gold since the day they committed and can not wait to start their Appalachian careers in August. The fact that we were able to get commitments from such great talent during our struggles of the 2008 season speaks to how attractive a package Appalachian State is to players across the country."

LAUREN BROWN • SETTER • 5-9 • OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS • SAINT JAMES ACADEMY

Lauren Brown was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kansas. She was named to the 4A state all-tournament team during the 2008 and 2009 seasons and picked up academic all-state honors during 2006, 2007 and 2008. The scholar-athlete led her squad to a 4A state runner-up title in 2007 and a 4A state championship in both 2008 and 2009. Her high school team was also ranked fourth in the nation during the 2008 campaign. Brown holds her high school record in assists, compiling 1,847 in her career. She is also third on her high school's career dig list, third on the school's block solos list, second in school history in block assists and the school record holder in aces.

Brown played club volleyball for the Mid-America Volleyball Club under head coach David Beach. She picked up all-tournament honors at the national tournament and her team placed fifth at the Junior Olympics in 2009. Brown is also on the Under Armour all-America watch list.

"Lauren is an exceptional setter who has had an amazing high school and club career so far," Ginipro said. "She's extremely quick and puts the ball in the perfect locations for her hitters to be successful. The tandem of setters we'll have with Kasey and Lauren in the gym will be fantastic and I know they're looking forward to working together on the court."

JESSICA ELEY • MIDDLE BLOCKER • 5-11 • KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI • BISHOP MIEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Jessica Eley was a standout at both Raytown and Bishop Miege High School. As a sophomore, she earned second team all-conference honors at Raytown high school and notched both conference and Sun County honorable mention honors her junior season. Eley led her Bishop Miege squad to two 5A State Championship titles in 2008 and 2009 along with a conference crown in 2008.

Eley played club volleyball for both KC Power and Mid-America Volleyball under head coach Lucas Galmarini. Her squad qualified for the 2008 and 2009 Junior Olympic nationals and in 2009 her team placed third at the Lonestar National qualifier. Like future teammate Brown, Eley is also on the Under Armour all-America watch list.

"Jess has the potential to be a huge force in the middle for us next year," Ginipro said. "She is also coming in after a great high school and club career with two state championships under her belt. Probably the thing I'm most excited about is the fact that Jess and Lauren will be playing on the same club team this spring. The connection between a middle and a setter is very important and Jess will have a whole club season playing with her college teammate."