Nov. 25, 2002

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina women's volleyball head coach Angel Benson announced today that Heather Koontz of Balsam Grove, N.C., has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at WCU in 2003.

Koontz, a 5-10 outside hitter, is set to graduate from Rosman High School in 2003. In her four years at Rosman, the Tigers finished as the Smoky Mountain Conference and Tournament champions (2001 and 2002) as well as being the State 1-A champions in 2002, a first for Rosman High School. Koontz was named the Most Valuable Player at the state tournament as well as being a co-MVP in the Smoky Mountain Conference. She finished out her senior season averaging 17.6 kills per game with a 94 percent service average and 2.2 blocks per game.

Named by the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Hendersonville Times as an Athlete of the Week during her junior and senior seasons, Koontz also played softball and basketball for the Tigers. In addition to her high school honors, she has two years of club experience playing for coach Anne Leedy and the Biltmore 17's. In 2002 she was named the teams' Best Hitter and in 2001, the teams' Best All-Around Player.

"We are extremely excited about Heather coming to play here next season," said Benson. "We feel honored that such a talented athlete from Western North Carolina has chosen to be a Catamount. She is a dynamic and powerful player that will make a great addition to our team."

Koontz plans to major in Elementary Education (K-5) upon arriving at Western.