[Volleyball] Trevecca Volleyball | Trojans 2019-20 Signing Class Reaches Four

NASHVILLE – Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball announces four student-athletes who will join the program during the 2019-20 school year. The latest is Drew Brooks (Knoxville, TN) who officially became apart of the program on Wednesday (11.21). On Tuesday (11.20), Sara Gruber (Damascus, MD) joined the program. Ellie Buffler (Nashville) and Bailee Crandall (Mason, MI) were announced Monday (11.19).

Here's a closer look at all four of the new Trojans.

Drew Brooks | Hardin Valley Academy | Knoxville, TN | DS/Libero | 5-7

Drew was a four-year varsity player for Hardin Valley Academy helping her team to finish as second runner-up in the TSSAA State tournament in 2016-17.  She accrued several athletic accolades in her tenure at Hardin Valley including her team's MVP award in 2016 and an All-District Award in 2018. She played club volleyball for Knoxville's Club Unite Volleyball Academy and was selected to the JVA Athlete Watchlist for the 2017-18 season.

Coach Igor Popov of Club Unite said of Drew: "Working with and training Drew has been a great privilege for the past 3 seasons. Watching her grow in character, individual skill and team leadership truly showed her passion for the game. We've had many talks about how her skill can't take her where her character won't keep her, and I think she genuinely took that to heart. Drew is a highly influential player in the club and it has been an honor being part of her journey."

Drew is actively involved in her home church and loves being a part of the children's ministry there.  She plans to major in Behavioral Science with a minor in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Sara Gruber | Damascus High School | Damascus, MD | OH | 5-9

Sara's volleyball accolades include all-county second team and most valuable offensive player in her sophomore year, all-county honorable mention in her junior year, and a selection to participate in the Senior All-Star Game. Gruber excelled in the classroom winning distinguished scholar awards her freshman, sophomore, and junior years as well as awards for excellence in mathematics and AP Scholar with honors. She is a member of the National English Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society, and National Honors Society.

Her high school coach, Rebecca Ronquillo said, "I have watched Sara consistently work hard each of the last four years to get better in the sport she puts so much time, energy, and effort into. It is refreshing to see someone give all they have to be good at one of their true passions in life and for it to pay off as it has for her. Sara is the type of athlete any coach wishes to have on their team. She is determined, dedicated, has grit and heart all combining to make her a great teammate.

Ellie Buffler | Hume-Fogg High School | Nashville, TN | Outside Hitter | 5-10

Ellie Buffler is an outside hitter who started four-years on the varsity team at Hume-Fogg Academic High School and is a member of Alliance Volleyball Club in Nashville.

Her accolades include 2015 Region 5-AA All-Tournament Team, 2016 District 10-AA All-District Team, 2017 District 10-AA All-District Team, District Tournament MVP, Region 5-AA All-Region Team, Region Tournament MVP, 2018 District 10-AA All-District Team, District Tournament MVP, Region 5-AA All-Region Team, 2017 JVA Player Watch List, President's Day Classic All-Tournament Team (St. Louis), and AVCA Phenom List.

Head Coach Joy Owino (Hume-Fogg Academic High) said, "I had the pleasure of coaching Ellie Buffler during her senior year, and she is an exceptional individual inside and out. Ellie is an asset to Hume-Fogg and led the team in aces and kills. Her desire and passion for the game and her teammates show. Ellie is athletic, respectful, funny, and strong-willed. Underclassmen looked up to her. As the team captain, she was a great leader on and off the court. Ellie is a competitor and gives her all each time she steps on the court. I could always count on her, no matter the situation. Ellie was the heart of our team, and I believe she will do great things at Trevecca."  

Ellie's former head coach, Jim Hasse said, "Even though I only had the privilege of coaching Ellie for one high school season, she was one of my all-time favorite players! She has a wry sense of humor and an extreme passion for the game of volleyball. I'm excited to see her take her game to the next level at Trevecca!"

Bailee Crandall | Mason High School | Mason, MI | Setter | 5-8

Bailee Crandall is from Mason, Michigan and played volleyball for Elisa Zwick for three years on the Mason Bulldog volleyball team. Crandall's coach and teammates three times voted her the Bulldog's most valuable player. As a sophomore, Crandall made first team all-conference. As a junior, she added all-area honorable mention along with another first team all-conference selection. As a senior, she was voted Athlete of the week by The Lansing State Journal.   

Bulldog Coach Elisa Zwick said, "Bailee is a talented setter and is a hard worker. She makes those around her better and is dedicated to her team. Bailee is a determined student-athlete, and I am so excited for her achieving her goal to play at the collegiate level."

Crandall played club volleyball for five years and the last two for Five:1 Volleyball Club under the direction of Eric Lazowski. Coach Lazowski said, "Bailee is one of the sweetest and competitive kids I've had the opportunity to coach. She shows up and works hard every day in the gym because she has high goals for herself. I've been proud of her growth in the last year.

Bailee is a true setter and understands all the attributes that come with playing that position. I am excited to see where she goes from here."

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