CLARION, PA – Clarion University women’s volleyball coach Jennifer Mills is pleased to announce the recent signing of two recruits, Kaley Pittsley and Kelly Shannon.
“We are excited to have both players join the Golden Eagle volleyball program,” Mills said. “Both players have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the program.”
Pittsley a 5-foot-9 setter from Mt. Pleasant, Mich., is a senior at Mt. Pleasant High School and also plays for the Oakland Elite Volleyball Club. She has been a four-year varsity team member and was a first-team All-Saginaw Valley selection as both a junior and s senior and was an All-Area Dream team selection in 2011. She was also a first-team All-Area and Honorable Mention All-Saginaw Valley League selection as a sophomore.
A multi-talented athlete, Pittsley is also a member of Mt. Pleasant’s soccer team and helped the squad to a District title in 2011 while being named to the MHSAA Division 2 Soccer All-District team in 2011. She has also been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Figure skating Club Senior Moves and Intermediate Free Style since 1999.
A talented student as well, Pittsley has been a National Honor Society member both her junior and senior years and has served in student government since her freshman year while currently serving as the Senior Class Treasurer.
“Kaley is a very competitive, athletic setter with a strong work ethic,” Mills said. “She is also very academically focused and will continue the strong tradition of student-athletes that have come through this program.”
Shannon is a 6-foot Middle Hitter/Right-side Hitter from Gahanna Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio who also is a 2013 Elite Volleyball Training Center 18-1 National Team Member after being a member of CVA National Teams from 2008-2012. She was also on the 2011 AAU All-Star 16’s and Under Team.
At Gahanna Lincoln, Shannon has been a three-year varsity player and was a 2011 and 2012 Division I All-District first-team member while being named a 2012 All-Ohio Capital Conference first-team selection and a 2011 second-team choice. She was also nominated to play in the 2012 All-District game and was a 2011 and 2012 Newark Invitational All-Tournament team selection.
In the classroom, Shannon carries a 3.9 GPA and is an AP Scholar-Student while also being a member of the National Honor Society and a four-year honor-roll student. She is involved in both FCCLA and FCA.
“Kelly has the ability to contribute both at the Middle Hitter and Right-side Hitter positions,” Mills said. “She is an efficient blocker and gets up very quick to attack. She is another student-athlete who understands the importance of working hard both on the court and in the classroom.”
NOTES – Clarion is 23-11 on the season and plays in the NCAA Division II playoffs at 5 p.m. Nov. 29 against Lock Haven in Wheeling, W. Va. It is the ninth NCAA Division II postseason appearance for the Golden Eagles in the last 11 years and the fifth time in six years under Mills, who is the winningest coach in school history with a record of 144-60. She led the Golden Eagles to the PSAC West, PSAC and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region titles in 2010 and the school’s first trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
