CEDAR CITY, Utah - April 9 - Southern Utah volleyball head coach Debby Baker announced the signings of two student-athletes to national letters of intent today, making up the first signing class for the recently added volleyball program. Tess Lawrence (Layton Christian Academy) and Analaine Pelaez (Fremont High School) will be the first volleyball players on campus when the season begins in the fall of 2009.

"Overall I could not be more pleased with this years recruiting class. They are very excited to be part of a new program," Baker said of the inaugural class. "They are all on board with the vision that I have for the volleyball program at SUU. All of the girls are very athletic and I just can't wait to get in the gym with them in August.

"Most importantly they are great people off the court," she continued. "In the recruiting process we have talked a lot about how we need to get out into the community to promote our program. I know the people of Cedar City will embrace them and vice versa. They are looking forward to getting out and serving the community."

Lawrence is a 5-11 middle-blocker and helped the Eagles of LCA capture Region 17 and 14 titles. She is a three-time all-state, three-time all-area and four-time all-region honoree on the volleyball court, in addition to being named the Jayhawk tournament MVP. On the basketball court, Lawrence was a three-time all-state and four-time all-region honoree and helped the Eagles to a Region 17 title. Lawrence also found success in track and field as a member of the Region 17 4x400-meter relay championship team.

Lawrence played club volleyball with the Xtreme 18 Black squad and excels in the classroom, with high honor roll marks each of her four years in high school and membership in the National Honor Society. She also served as a class officer during 2005-06.

"Tess is a very athletic and quick volleyball player. I think that she got overlooked because of her size but she makes up for it with her ability to jump," Baker said. "She is a young player and, with some training, will develop into a great middle. I really like that she is versatile and she is able to hit in front of the setter and behind. I love that she is really intense when she plays and she is very coachable."

Pelaez helped the Silverwolves to a third-place finish in the state championships during her junior year and finished her career as an all-state, all-state MVP, three-time all-region, three-time all-area and three-time high school MVP honoree. Her sister, Melody, is currently playing volleyball for Snow College.

Pelaez played club volleyball for the Bouncers 18 Blue for her father, Chicho Pelaez and has been a member of the National Honor Society from 2006-2008.

"I am so thrilled to have Ana on our team. She is a solid all-around volleyball player and great athlete," Baker said. "She puts a lot of heat on the ball when she attacks and will be our go-to hitter. Ana is fun athlete to watch. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and passion when she steps on the court."

Southern Utah is scheduled to serve up its first ball in the fall of 2009.