Nov. 20, 2009

CULLOHWEE, N.C. - Western Carolina volleyball Head Coach Manuel Concepcion announced today the signing of three players for the 2010 season. Emily Mannie (Junius H. Rose, Greenville, N.C.), Leah Best (Walton High School, Marietta, Ga.), and Morgan Cochran (Eastern Alamance High School, Mebane, NC) have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Catamounts.

Mannie is a 5-11 setter/right side who was named to the 2009 Great Eight All-Tournament Team and ranked fourth in Junius H Rose High School history for assists with 1,291. She helped lead her team to a NC 4A State Championship and a completing the year ranked 10th in the nation and second by MaxPreps.

"This is one of the smartest young individuals I have ever come across with," Concepcion admits. "Since day one of the recruitment, we saw great raw potential to be developed, excellent decision-making ability, and most of all, athleticism. She is by far the best in-state setter, and has been a winner all her life. The fact that she will graduate early to attend Western starting this spring shows the kind of commitment and work ethic Emily has."

Best is a 6-8 right side/middle blocker who was nominated to the 2009 Georgia High School Volleyball All-Star Team. She took second place at the Georgia High School Association for volleyball in 2009 and plays club volleyball for A5 18 Bob, the number one 18's team in Georgia. She came to the United States seven years ago form Twickenham, England.

"Leah will be without a doubt one of the tallest players in the NCAA Division 1, and the tallest on the SoCon," Concepcion said. "She was recruited by multiple Big East schools and other solid conferences. Her intimidating presence in the net will be a key in our future aspirations."

Cochran is a 5-6 defensive specialist/outside hitter who helped her team to the 2009 Invitational Championships and named MVP. She was twice named All-Conference Player of the Year and helped the team to back-to-back Invitational Championships.

"She is a player that has been under the radar, and we were very fortunate to add to our roster" Concepcion said. "Even though she will come as a defensive specialist in order to battle for the vacant that the all-time great Liz Rondone left, her 9'10" approach jump demonstrates how athletic she is. Morgan will bring a lot of mental toughness, quickness on the back row, and power with her jump serve."

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