Three top ranked volleyball players signed letters of intent to join the BYU women's volleyball team Wednesday.

The new additions will fill vacant positions left by graduating seniors.

Markelle Malone is a setter from Las Vegas, Nev. Malone started all four years at Durango High School. Where she won numerous honors including athlete of the month three times, Sunset Division All-Conference four seasons, and lettered all four years.

Malia Marquardt from Vista, Calif. will compete for time in the rightside position vacated by senior Erica Lott. Marquardt graduated from Vista High School, lettering all four years. She was also named to the All-CIF and All-North County Times teams in her last three seasons as well as being a four-year All-Avocado League honoree.

Nicole Warner from Rigby, Idaho will play middle blocker. Warner joins an already talented front line for BYU consisting of All-American Rachel Dyer and Ashton Hansen. Warner graduated from Rigby High School, where she was named first-team all-state as a senior in 2007. She also received 4A All-Area First Team and High Country All-Conference following her senior year.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality of athletes that will be joining us on the court this fall," BYU head coach Shay Goulding said in a news release. "Without a doubt, this class of outstanding young ladies will make significant contributions right away. Their commitment will help up build on the wonderful traditions already established with BYU women's volleyball and achieve new goals and even higher standards of performance."



Copyright Brigham Young University 1 May 2008