Nov. 21, 2012
SEATTLE - Two of the nation's top volleyball recruits signed on the dotted line this week, taking the first steps towards joining the Husky program as freshmen for the fall of 2013. Washington's recent run of impressive recruiting only continues with the addition of California natives Carly DeHoog and Bailey Tanner. The versatile pair are both ranked in the top-20 nationally among the class of 2013, and could help Head Coach Jim McLaughlin's squad in a number of ways next season and beyond. "Everyone involved with our program is thrilled both Bailey and Carly have signed with Husky Volleyball," says McLaughlin. "We believe both Bailey and Carly will be great additions to the program and will help fill some of the holes that will be left by our departing seniors. We had targeted Bailey and Carly early in the process as two of the recruits we felt would fit in extremely well with, as well as complement, our existing players. They both are very talented players but also have the strong character and values we look for in our student-athletes." DeHoog, a native of Ontario, California, plays club ball for Club West. She is one of the top-ranked right-side hitters in the country at 6-feet, 4-inches tall with a left-handed swing. PrepVolleyball.com ranked her 18th nationally on its Senior Aces list for graduating seniors, and fourth among right side hitters. In 2011 she was named one of 25 Underclassmen To Watch by Volleyball Magazine. DeHoog led her high school team to the CIF-SS semifinals this year, winning the Ambassador League title. She was the league's Player of the Year last season. We look forward to helping both Carly and Bailey become the players they want to become and we will work very hard to get them to where they want to go. McLaughlin says that DeHoog has a nice skill level, with "a good arm, good range on her attacks, and good movement. She blocks at a pretty high level at this point in her development. The thing I like most about Carly," says McLaughlin, "is her drive. She competes at a very high level and wants to become a great player in college. I believe in her character and that she will do what it takes to become great." "When I was first being recruited by Washington," DeHoog recalls, "I really knew nothing of the program, but when I came up on my unofficial in June of my sophomore year I loved everything about UW. I visited a few schools after my visit to Washington and I just knew that they didn't compare to what I'd get at UW. The coaches' style of teaching the game, the girls, the beautiful campus, having family right in Seattle are all things that really make UW the right fit for me. I really can't wait till I get up there and experience it all!" Tanner hails from San Clemente, Calif., and stands 6-2 with experience playing both outside hitter and setter. She plays club for Tstreet, coached by her father, Troy Tanner, a legendary player and coach who won a gold medal playing for Team USA at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. After a long and successful beach volleyball pro career, Tanner served six seasons as an assistant coach for the BYU men's team, winning two NCAA titles during that time. In 2008, Troy Tanner coached Kerri Walsh and Misty May to their second consecutive beach volleyball Olympic gold. Tstreet's 17 team featuring Bailey Tanner is coming off a great season in which it took bronze at Junior Nationals, with Tanner making the All-Tournament Team, and silver at the prestigious Las Vegas Classic in the 17 Open division. PrepVolleyball.com ranked Tstreet No. 3 nationally in its final club rankings for the most recent season, and ranks Tanner No. 15 overall on its Senior Aces list and third among hybrid setters/outside hitters.
 Bailey Tanner is a skilled all-around player who has led one of the nation's top club teams. "I've known Bailey for a long time and watched her develop her skills every season and I can't wait to help her take the next step in her development," says McLaughlin. "She has a very fast arm-swing and is mechanically sound, which allows her to do some things with the volleyball at this point in her career that other kids can't do. I have asked her to improve other parts of her skill level and she's made good progress. She, like Carly, wants to be great. Her skill level is very complete and her skills as a setter continue to improve." Tanner was drawn to UW by "the coaches and the campus," she said. "It was so pretty there, and the team was really nice and supportive of each other. I loved the atmosphere. I just decided that it would be the best place for me volleyball-wise and as a person. Coach McLaughlin and my dad go way back, so I first started being interested in UW as a freshman, when I started realizing I could play volleyball in college. It was always one of the main places I wanted to go." While the two are committing to Washington, McLaughlin emphasizes the commitment from his end as well. "We look forward to helping both Carly and Bailey become the players they want to become and we will work very hard to get them to where they want to go." |
