BOONE, N.C. –– Appalachian State University volleyball head coach
Matt Ginipro has announced the addition of six student-athletes for the 2018 season on Monday.
Daryn Armstrong (Cary, N.C./Panther Creek),
Amya Giger (Arden, N.C./Carolina Day),
Anna Kincaid (Jamestown, N.C./Southwest Guilford),
Jana Owens (Overland Park, Kan.),
Holli Smith (Raleigh, N.C./Broughton) and
Victoria Wilform (Rock Hill, N.C./Northwestern) all will join the program.
"We are really happy with our 2018 class. All six players make us a better program and are just great people who will be amazing ambassadors for Appalachian State," said Ginipro. "It's a great mix of physical middles, athletic outsides, a very talented setter and a strong addition to our ball control group. They, and their families, fit right in with the AppVB Family and are excited to get their careers started."
Daryn Armstrong
6-0 • Middle-Hitter
Cary, N.C. • Panther Creek
Daryn Armstrong joins the Mountaineers from Cary, N.C. and won two letters as a member of the volleyball team at Panther Creek High School. In her career, she totaled a hitting percentage of .469 to go along with 75 blocks. She also earned the Most Improved Award in both 2015 and 2016 and helped her team to a co-conference title in 2016.
Ginipro's Comments: "Daryn is a strong blocker and will be another physical middle hitter for us. She works hard on the court and I know she'll get better each day with her work ethic."
Amya Giger
6-0 • Middle Blocker
Arden, N.C. • Carolina Day
Amya Giger was a two-time all-conference honoree at Carolina Day high school, as a sophomore and a senior. As a junior, she was named to the North Carolina Down Under All-State Volleyball Team. In addition, she won the Coaches Award in 2015 and was named Team MVP in 2017.
Ginipro's Comments: "Amya can play both middle and on a pin for us. She's a pretty incredible athlete and very quick off the ground which makes her a dangerous attacker. Amya is going to allow us to open up some more offensive opportunities."
Anna Kincaid
6-1 • Middle Hitter
Jamestown, N.C. • Southwest Guilford
Anna Kincaid won four letters as a member of the volleyball team at Southwest Guilford High School. She was a three-time All-Conference honoree and was voted Team MVP and Best Offensive Player. During her senior season, she tallied 325 kills, 153 digs and 97 aces. She also set a school record with 30 kills in a single match.
Ginipro's Comments: "Anna is a big, physical middle hitter who has experience taking swings on the outside as well. We have been working to get bigger at the net and she fits that mold. With us graduating Cass and Court, getting more depth in the middle hitter position was a priority and we're glad Anna will be in our gym."
Jana Owens
5-9 • Setter
Overland Park, Kan. • Blue Valley West
Jana Owens joins the Mountaineers from Blue Valley West High School in Kansas. She earned First Team All-Conference honors as a junior and a senior and was also named to the 6A State Tournament Team as a senior. She helped her team earn back-to-back state runner up finishes as a junior and a senior and was also voted team captain during her senior season, where she totaled 778 assists.
Ginipro's Comments: "Jana was the first addition to our 2018 class back during her sophomore year in high school. She's a very talented setter who will come in and push for court time right away with the skill set she already has."
Holli Smith
5-6 • Defensive Specialist
Raleigh, N.C. • Broughton
Holli Smith earned three letters in volleyball at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. She was named Honorable Mention All-Conference during her senior year. She also was award the 4-Star Coaches Award in 2017. Smith is the daughter of App State volleyball alum, former Appalachian State volleyball coach and Appalachian State Hall of Fame member Traci (Blankenship) Smith.
Ginipro's Comments: "I've known Holli since I arrived in Boone, and connected with Traci as an alum of the program, and have been very impressed with the player she has become. She's a great addition to our strong ball control group and it's awesome that she is joining us this spring after graduating high school early."
Victoria Wilform
5-8 • Left Side
Rock Hill, N.C. • Northwestern
Victoria Wilform earned three letters at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, N.C. and was named Team MVP as a junior and a senior. She was named Honorable Mention All-Area as a junior and earned All-Region honors as a senior. In addition, Wilform earned All-Tournament honors in the Best of the Carolinas and Dorman Invitational as a junior and All-Tournament accolades at the CJV Best of the Carolinas and Nation Ford Invitational as a senior.
Ginipro's Comments: "Vic is a great addition to our left side attacking group. She's a 6-rotation player with a good jump and armswing. She elevates and attacks at a high point which will help us score on the outside."
