Clemson Volleyball Inks Three for 2011 Class

Nov. 10, 2010

The Clemson Volleyball Team has signed three players in the 2011 class, head coach Jolene Jordan Hoover announced on Wednesday. Outside hitter Kristin Faust, setter Kamryn Sherman, and middle blocker Karis Watson have each signed on to join the team in the 2011 season.

Clemson will fill three different needs with athletic players from the southeast. “We are thrilled to have signing day finally here and that Karis, Kristin and Kamryn will be joining our program,” said Head Coach Jolene Jordan Hoover. “We feel that this class will complement our current team very well.”

Kristin Faust is a 5’9″ outside hitter from Orlando, Florida. She attends William B. Boone High School where she has been a four-year varsity letter winner and volleyball team captain. This year, Boone High School was 6A District Champions. During her four years at Boone, Faust has been named Boone High School Varsity MVP her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She is averaging more than 4.00 kills per set so far as a senior.

“Kristin is quick, light on her feet, has an easy jump to go along with a great armswing,” said Hoover. “Kristin has fantastic ball control and defensive skills, she is a six-rotation player who can play outside, rightside or in the libero position.”

Just this year, Faust has also been named the Top Select Volleyball 17 Elite Team MVP as well as recognized for USAV Regional High Performance. Faust was mentioned in Prepvolleyball.com’s top 250 national players. Faust plans to enter as an education major.

Kamryn Sherman, a 5’11” setter from Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida. During her high school career, Sherman has earned four varsity letters as well as three academic letters. Sherman is known as one of the most well-rounded setters in the 2011 class.

“Kamryn has great location and tempo as a setter, to go along with a very high volleyball IQ,” said Hoover. “She has a wealth of experience by being involved and being a part of teams within the High Performance pipeline for USA Volleyball. She is a leader and a competitor, she wants to win and of course, we like that.”

The Panthers have won four St. John’s River Conference Championships, four District Championships, two Regional Championships and the State Championship (2008) during Sherman’s attendance. Currently, Sherman holds the school record for assists (3710), Aces (440) and Blocks (248). She was named Nease High School MVP in 2009. She has been named three times to the All-County, All-Area and All-Conference 1st teams, and will make a strong push for similar honors this season, as her team is currently 26-1. While at Clemson, Sherman intends to major in international studies.

Karis Watson, a 6’2″ middle blocker, attends Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, SC. As a Bearcat, Watson was a three-year varsity letterman for volleyball as well as a four-year varsity letterman for track & field. In ’08, `09′ and ’10, the Bearcats were Regional Champs and this year they were also Upper State Champs and State Runner-ups. Rock Hill was an astonishing 39-2 on the season. Watson was named to the South Carolina North All-State Team and was put on the Under Armor All-American Watch List.

“Karis is probably one of the best athletes that we have signed at Clemson,” said Hoover. “She comes from quite an athletic family and has a tremendous amount of potential. She is a huge presence at the net blocking and can cover a lot of range. Along with her athleticism, she is a very smart player and a great teammate, she is going to be an exciting player to watch develop.”

As a senior, she registered 367 kills and 113 blocks and hit .429 on the season. She registered 27 kills in the Upper State Championship against Hillcrest. Watson comes from a family with strong athletic lineage. Her father, Ken Watson, played football at the University of Maryland. Her brother, Benjamin, was a standout football player at Georgia and currently plays tight end for the Cleveland Browns. Her sister, Jessica, was a track and field athlete at Coastal Carolina until 2004, and her brother Asa is currently a sophomore tight end at NC State.