University of Connecticut Athletics
Strauss-O'Brien Announces Incoming Volleyball Class
12/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 17, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - University of Connecticut volleyball head coach Holly Strauss-O'Brien announced the Huskies' incoming class for the fall 2010 season on Thursday. The trio of newcomers include two middle blockers and an outside hitter. "It is an exciting time for UConn Volleyball as we officially welcome Morgan Freeman, Julia Hamer and Jackie Wattles into the program," Strauss-O'Brien said. "All three student-athletes encompass great athleticism, talent, potential and personality."
Morgan Freeman (Virginia Beach, Va.), a middle blocker at Cape Henry Collegiate School, was named the Conference Player of the Year and Conference Tournament MVP. She was selected to the all-conference team following her senior season during which she was named the Athlete of the Week at Cape Henry and was a highlighted by the Virginian Pilot as a member of the All-Tidewater First-Team. Freeman was twice named the Virginia State Tournament MVP with 11 kills and 20 aces.
In 2008, Freeman was the co-MVP of the Cape Henry squad, and was selected to the first-team all-state, earning the first of two Virginia State Tournament MVP honors in her career. She received all-tournament honors at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase and TCIS. A team captain, Freeman was named to the First-Team All-TCIS and Second-Team All-Tidewater Area.
The Student athlete of the week at Cape Henry and in the Virginia Pilot, Freeman was selected to the all-tournament team at the Steward School as a freshman. She earned Second-Team All-TCIS honors and was selected as the team's MVP. Freeman played club volleyball with the Virginia Elite volleyball Organization in 2008 and was with the U-Turn Sports Performance Academy (2009-10) and its 18U program. An honor roll student, Freeman has an interest in pre-med upon her arrival to UConn.
Strauss-O'Brien on Freeman: "Morgan is a dynamic athlete who can block and terminate. Her physicality and talent combined with her athletic pedigree will allow her to immediately raise the level in the gym."
 Julia Hamer was ranked among the Top 20 Canadian Volleyball prospects. |  |
Julia Hamer (Burlington, Ont.) served as a team captain at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary for four-consecutive years. The outside hitter earned MVP honors from her high school team and concluded her career among the Top 20 Canadian Volleyball prospects. She was a member of the Regional Team in 2008 and finished fourth at the 2008 Junior Olympics. In 2009 she was named the Halton Female All-Star while competing with the Provincial Team.
The four-year honor roll recipient was a consistent competitor in beach volleyball in Ontario. In 2009 she followed up a 2008 Provincial Championship in Ontario Beach volleyball with a Provincial Gold Medal. She was a bronze medalist at the National Beach Volleyball Championships in 2008 as well.
Hamer boasted the highest overall grade-point average in 2008-09 and received the Business and Marketing Award for the highest course GPA as well. In addition she received a Math Award, twice the recipient of the Drama Award and is the Public Speaking Contest Winner for the last five years.
Strauss-O'Brien on Hamer: "Julia is personality, determination and lot of heart and that is evident in her style of player and her great potential."
A three-time All-State 3A Honorable Mention, Jackie Wattles (Liberty Hill, Texas) will add depth to the middle blocker and outside hitter positions at UConn. She was a First-Team All-District selection in both 2007 and 2009. As a middle blocker, Wattles led the Lady Panthers to a 24-14 overall record as a senior and to the Region I Quarterfinals. Wattles was named the co-MVP of the district following the conclusion of her final season as well as earning a spot on the Statesman's All-Central Texas Team. She was Liberty Hill's team MVP in 2008 and shared the honors in 2007.
Wattles was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Wimberley TexFest (2008). Wattles attended a variety of regional camps while she competed at the club level as a member of Club Jollyville (2005-08) following a her time with Magic Volleyball (2004-05).She most recently competed with the Austin Juniors 17 Mizuno club in Austin, Texas.
 Jackie Wattles was named to the Statesman's All-Central Texas Team as a senior. | |
Strauss-O'Brien on Wattles: "Jackie is a physical middle who exudes toughness and relentless work ethic. She is selfless, drive and hits a heavy ball."
"All three will continue to help us grow as a program in the classroom, in the gym and in the community," Strauss-O'Brien said. "They all come from good programs and most especially great families and we are proud to call them UConn Huskies."
