April 15, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Head Volleyball Coach Ricci Luyties has announced the signing of Bridget Whalen (Littleton, Colo.), to a national letter of intent for the 2008-09 academic year.

"Bridget is a hard worker who I believe is very capable of running a fast offense that we want to institute," Luyties said. "She jumps well and is a solid defender. She brings a killer instinct to the team."

Whalen, a 5-5 setter, was a four-year letterwinner for Coach Margaret Whalen at Littleton High School. She earned Continental League All-Conference honors and an all-state honorable mention for three years. She received Athlete of the Month in October 2007 and was voted school's most valuable player in 2007. Her club team placed first in the 16-Open in three national qualifiers, placing fifth in the USAV 16-Open in 2006 and second in the AAU 16.

Whalen was a member of the first-team Colorado state all-academic team for three consecutive years and was on the high school honor roll for nine semesters.