Florida Gators volleyball signs one All-American

Special report on the Florida Gators volleyball team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Future Florida volleyball player Paige Hammons inked a National
Letter of Intent on the first day of the 2016 fall signing period, announced by
Gators head coach Mary Wise and the UF volleyball program Wednesday (Nov. 9)
afternoon.
"With only one senior on our roster, it was important for us to sign the one perfect
fit," Wise said. "We are very fortunate Paige Hammons chose UF. She is one of the
best six-rotation hitters in the country, and knows how to win. Her talents and
competitive play will help us immediately."

Below is a look at Hammons' prep achievements, both on and off the court.

PAIGE HAMMONS

6-2 | OH | Louisville, Kentucky | Sacred Heart Academy | Club: Kentucky Indiana
Volleyball Association

Hammons High School Accolades

*         2016 Under Armour High School All-America First Team

*         2016 Miss Kentucky Volleyball

*         2015 & 2016 Kentucky High School Athletic Association All-State First Team

*         2016 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament MVP

*         2016 KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament Champion

*         2016 NIKE Tournament of Champions Platinum Division MVP

*         2016 NIKE Tournament of Champions Platinum Division Champion

*         2014, 2015, 2016 Durango Fall Classic All-Tournament Team

*         2016 ASICS Challenge All-Tournament Team

*         2016 ASICS Challenge team champion

*         2014 & 2015 KHSAA Region 7 Player of the Year

*         2015 & 2016 KHSAA Region 7 All-Tournament Team


Hammons Club and National Team Accolades

*         2016 PrepVolleyball.com Club All-America First Team

*         2014 AAU All-American

*         2016 PrepVolleyball.com No. 7 Senior Ace

*         2015 PrepVolleyball.com Top 50 Juniors

*         2014 PrepVolleyball.com Soph 79

*         2016 USA Junior National Team NORECA Championships Silver Medalist

*         2015 USA Youth National Team FIVB Youth World Championships Silver Medalist

*         2014, 2015, 2016 Junior Volleyball Association National Team Member


Hammons Off-the-Court Notables

*         Daughter of Kim Mackin and Ray Hammons

*         2013, 2014, 2015 KHSAA All-Academic Honoree

*         Honor Roll member every semester of high school

*         Performed 30 hours of community service at Magnolia Springs Nursing Home
every year since the seventh grade

*         Helps coach a third-grade volleyball team at her local elementary school

*         Also played tennis and ran track at Sacred Heart

*         Her sister, Ashley, plays tennis for Denison University

*         Mother, Kim, played tennis at Stephens College


Mary Wise on Paige Hammons:
"The first time we saw Paige play was February of her freshman year of high school.
At that time, she was playing middle. It was easy to see, although middle wasn't
going to be her long-term position, her foot speed, her jumping ability, her long
arms, her whip of an arm swing; we knew she had all the skills that would lend
itself to being a great six-rotation outside hitter. What we didn't know was what an
elite-level passer she would become. With that, the arm swing, the ball control,
Paige Hammons is one of the best six-rotation outside hitters in the country, and we
are thrilled she is going to be a Gator."


What they're saying about Hammons:

"Paige has been a big part in taking Sacred Heart Academy's volleyball program to
another level, and I have no doubt she will be able do the same thing as a Gator! 
Paige has rewritten the record books at SHA, but that simply isn't enough for her.
She strives to get better and better individually, and pushes her teammates to be
better as well. Paige has consistently performed against top competition and will be
ready to go the moment she steps foot in Gainesville." -- Brett Versen | Head Coach,
Sacred Heart Academy
Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.