The Sandhills Community College volleyball team has signed five players that head coach Alicia Hill believes can help the program return to the national tournament next fall.

The Flyers welcome five freshmen to the team, including Megan Robbins, of Avery High School, Janie Bounds, of Red Springs High, Jennifer Ryan, of North Moore, Chelcey Parker, of Purnell Swett, and McKenzie White, of Chatham Central.

Hill is excited about the prospects of the new recruiting class combined with the experience of her players returning from last year’s team that finished seventh in the NCJAA Division III Championships in Minnesota.

“The girls that are coming in are really excited for a chance to play at the next level,” Hill said. “I think by bringing in these girls and having five returners that went to nationals, we are on the right road.

“Our returners know what to expect and what nationals is like and how hard work pays off. Our new girls can only imagine, but this year, we will be better prepare not only court-wise, but coach-wise.”

Hill said the exposure that came along with making the postseason run last year has been a great recruiting tool for the program and has drawn interest from a larger area.

But the program has also done well recruiting kids out of the county’s high schools, and Ryan becomes the latest to sign.

“I’m really excited for Jennifer,” North Moore coach Melissa Cox said. “She has such a great attitude and always worked hard for me. She became one of our go-to players and never backed down from an opportunity to better herself as a player. I think she will be a great asset to the team and will only help make good things happen.”

Avery coach Kim Hayes describes Robbins as one of her team’s “strongest leaders,” and cosiders SCC to be a perfect fit.

“I’m really excited for her to be at this school,” she said. “The coach just loved her, and I’m excited to see how she performs this year and see what’s going to happen to her after two years.

Bounds recorded 39 kills and 22 blocks for Red Springs during her senior season.

“She is a well-rounded athlete on the court and in the classroom,” coach Katasha Oxendine said. “She has always had a great work ethic, hustles, is willing to learn and she follows instructions to the T.”

Parker was an all-conference selection in the Southeastern Conference and was Swett’s MVP. Coach Corey Deese has coached her since eighth grade.

“She has always been the type of player any coach dreams of — hard worker, a great leader, very competitive and has a constant determination to succeed,” she said.

White comes to SCC showing an “incredible” improvement over the last four years, according to coach Michael Langone, and also has fought back from a bit of adversity. She too is an all-conference selection.

“She has been able to overcome a major knee injury to be an all-conference performer,” he said. “Coach Hill is not only getting a quality player, but a person of character as well.”

One player that Sandhills will miss next year is Miranda Love, another North Moore alum.

The stand-out sophomore averaged over 19 kills and 27 digs per game last year. She led the nation in digs per set and was fourth in kills per set.

Love was awarded Region 10 Player of the Year honors and was named a first-team All American, the program’s first.

The Flyers also lose Alisha Ritter, Sarah Thomas and Kathleen Wood.

Returning are Michelle Brown, Paige Horne, Jessica Marion, Samantha Morgan and Shana Morgan.

The Flyers also added three players — Rebecca Kinsley, Kelly Lovely and Sara Randall — in January’s open tryouts.

They will carry a total of 13 on the fall roster.

Hill said her team learned quickly at nationals that you can’t rely on one player and need everyone to contribute. She thinks her team can make it back next year.

“I am really excited about next season,” she said. “I feel like we are bringing in a group of girls that are eager and want to win along with our returners. With this being said, I feel like they will each contribute in their own way.

“Of course, we want to have a goal of getting back to nationals in 2011, but we are going to be more prepared and better equipped for our next trip.”

Contact John Krahnert III at sports@thepilot.com.