SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head volleyball coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff announced Wednesday the addition of Jessica Waldrip, who enrolled in January after graduating early from New Braunfels (Texas) High School.
Waldrip, a 5-foot-10 setter, guided the Unicorns to a 46-5 record last season and an appearance in the UIL Class 5A State Championship match.
"We are very fortunate to get a player of Jessica's caliber," Neugebauer-Groff said. "Our goal is to always get some of the best local talent and we definitely did that with Jessica. She is a great athlete and will add depth and skill to our setting position."
The freshman-to-be earned numerous honors following her final prep season, including San Antonio Express-News Area Player of the Year, honorable mention American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Under Armour All-American and Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) Class 5A All-State.
Waldrip also was named to the UIL Class 5A all-tournament team and was selected to participate in the TGCA All-Star match next summer.
She registered 1,306 assists, 257 digs, 64.5 blocks, 47 aces and 20 kills as a senior and posted a triple-double of 37 assists, 19 digs and 10 winners in the state final against Coppell High School.
UTSA finished the 2012 campaign with a 21-9 record and advanced to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament semifinals. Five Roadrunners were named All-WAC, including Player of the Year McKenzie Adams and Libero of the Year Annie Kunes. Adams also was tabbed AVCA All-West Region and became the first player in program history to earn AVCA honorable mention All-America accolades.
The Roadrunners will compete in its first season as a member of Conference USA this fall.