Johnson City, Tenn. (June 7, 2002) � East Tennessee State volleyball head coach Deane Webb added to an impressive signing class by announcing Friday the signing of Nicole Ryan (Etiwanda, Calif.) to a national letter of intent to play for the Bucs beginning in the 2002 season. Nicole was a multi-sport athlete at Etiwanda High School, competing in volleyball, swimming and water polo. Ryan was a standout in volleyball, being named first team all-league three seasons from 2000-02. She was honored as team most valuable player in each of the last two seasons and was named league MVP in 2002. She was also named second team All-California Intercollegiate Federation following her senior season in 2002. Nicole won Etiwanda's 2002 Scholar Athlete Award and Athlete-of-the-Year. Ryan was a first team member of 2002 all-star volleyball teams by the Los Angeles Times and the Ontario Daily Bulletin. Nicole currently plays club volleyball for the Rancho Valley 18-1 team. Nicole joins Meghan Connolly (Solon, Ohio), Katie Ralph (Port Orchard, Wash.), Kristi Robinson (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Renee Vesey (Paw Paw, Mich.) in the 2002 Buccaneer recruiting class. "Nicole is a very mature and intelligent outside hitter that makes very good decisions on the court," said Webb. "Nicole plays in a high-level club program and high school league, and I feel that will help her greatly as she adjusts to the college game. Bringing another player in that has already played at a high level will do nothing but help our program get to the next level. We are all very excited to have Nicole join our program."