Feb. 1, 2012

  Top Returners Photo Gallery
Can't wait until volleyball opens up in August of 2012? Neither can we! Here is a quick look at the 2012 signing class and your top returners to the court.

Back in November head coach Jason Watson announced the signing of Macey Gardner and Allison Palmer and with Mercedes Binns joining the program this semester, ASU now sports an 18-person roster for next season.

Gardner is a 6'0'' outside hitter and most recently won a bronze medal at the USAV Junior Olympics in the Open Division in 2010.

Palmer, a 5'9'' setter, is a Top-50 recruit nationally  and finished sixth at the USA Junior Olympics 18-Open.

Binns gives ASU added height, at 6'3'' the middle blocker will help the Devils with her quickness on the front line.

Sitting down to talk about her signing with Jason Watson and Sun Devil volleyball is junior libero Stephanie Preach.

TheSunDevils.com: What was signing day like for you when you signed in 2009?
Preach: It was exciting. My whole family was there and my coaches. It was actually right before we were going to play the state finals match so it was an exciting day. It was the first part of starting a new chapter in my life and it was official!

TheSunDevils.com: What made you choose Arizona State volleyball?
Preach: My family. I have lived in Arizona my whole life and I love it. I wanted to be able to share this experience with my family and how they got me this far. The coaching staff was easy to talk to and it felt right. I have always wanted to go to Arizona State so I knew when the opportunity came up that I had to take it. I am so happy here.

TheSunDevils.com: What is the most exciting thing about next years squad?
Preach: It's another year to make something happen for ASU. It's a chance to compete and play for our school and change the direction and keep getting better. Our talent and drive that we all have this Spring, our hunger to make the NCAA tournament, it's going to push us to get better. I am excited for the new recruits too; they are really good. They are going to be a good addition for our program and I am excited for where we are going.

TheSunDevils.com: What is the best thing about being a part of Sun Devil volleyball?
Preach: Having the sense of being part of a family. Even though my family is here, a lot of the girls do not have family here. We have a family in our volleyball community. I am part of the Sun Devil family in general and I have met so many people. It is extremely rewarding - I am blessed to be part of the Sun Devil family and that I have had this opportunity.

TheSunDevils.com: Now that you are an offical upperclassman, what advice can you hand down to newcomers?
Preach: It goes by really fast, do not take anything for granted. Work hard and don't hold back. I really don't think age should be an issue. We are all here for one reason and whatever we have to do to achieve our goals, do it. Don't hold back. Take advantage of this opportunity. It is going to be tough, but keep grinding it out like our coach Jason says.

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