June 5, 2012

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall volleyball has added two more student-athletes to the 2012 roster including Indy Jorji and West Virginia native Sara Bailey. Jorji and Bailey will join Jillian Shemanski and Lauren Legge, who signed with Marshall volleyball in early December.

Independence Jorji is a native of Avenel, NJ where she played volleyball for Colonia High School. The 6-1 middle blocker led her high school team to two division championships and a state championship finalist finish while with Colonia High School. During her career she was also honored as Star Ledger’s Middlesex County Player of the Year.

“Indy brings us athleticism,” noted head coach Mitch Jacobs. “She has a real exuberance about her. She has off the charts energy and is a really neat kid. She is so excited to be coming here and that’s the great thing. In terms of her athleticism, it’s incredible. She’s an extremely high flying player. She’s over six feet tall and has a very powerful attack. She’s going to need some time to learn the game itself, especially stepping up to this level, but it’s easier for someone to learn when they can touch over ten feet.”

During her senior year, Jorji sparked a 23-2 record. She finished her senior season with 208 kills, more than four times as many as her closest teammate, and 70 blocks, which was seven times more than any other Colonia player. Her efforts led to an All-Middlesex first team selection in 2011.

Sara Bailey is a native of Scott Depot, WV where was a four year varsity starter for Winfield High School. Bailey is a 5-6 defensive specialist also has an extensive club resume, playing for the Charleston Volleyball Club High Potential Team, River Cities Volleyball Club, Nationals Team 16’s, and the River Cities Volleyball Club 18’s.

“Sara Bailey joins us next season and it’s great for us as a team. We needed another defensive specialist to come on and Sara luckily decided to come to Marshall. She will do a nice job for us. She has a lot of work, but there is no question she can handle it and will work her butt off.”

While playing for Winfield, Bailey was a two year AAA West Virginia All-State selection.

“These two players are coming in with a freshman class who is ready to go in terms of volleyball knowledge and volleyball IQ,” commented Jacobs on the incoming class. “I think it’s an incredible athletic group that we have got and it’s a nice dynamic.”

The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to Marshall University and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center.