Kansas Volleyball Signs Martincich & Noyes

Nov. 10, 2004

LAWRENCE, Kan. – University of Kansas head volleyball coach Ray Bechard announced Wednesday the signing of Katie Martincich (Shawnee, Kan.) and Savannah Noyes (Indianola, Neb.), to National Letters of Intent. Martincich, a 5-10 setter out of Bishop Miege High School, and Noyes, a 6-2 middle blocker/outside hitter from Indianola Southwest High, will join the Jayhawk squad in 2005.

Martincich comes to KU with a long list of high school accolades after leading Bishop Miege to three straight 5A titles. A three-time First-Team All-Eastern Kansas League selection, Martincich was named the 2004 EKL Player of the Year as well as an all-state and 5A all-tournament honoree.

In addition to being a two-time Kansas City Star Player of the Week, Martincich was named all-county (Johnson and Sun) three years in a row and is a member of the 2004 MoKan All Star Team. Off the court, she ranks in the top five percent of her class and has maintained above a 4.2 GPA all four years of high school.

“Katie is a setter who has led her [high school] team to three straight championships,” Bechard added. “She has unbelievable leadership skills and really understands the flow of the game and how to distribute the ball. Many schools on the East and West coast would have loved to have her and we think she is the top setter prospect in this part of the country.”

Noyes, a Nebraska Super State selection as a sophomore and junior, will add depth to the Jayhawk hitters in 2005. A first-team all-conference and all-state selection the past two years, Noyes was named all-area and McCook Daily Gazette Volleyball Player of the Year as a junior.

“Savannah has good size, excellent foot speed and a great mentality that will put her in the mix right away and physically have an impact on our game,” Bechard said. “She also has a great work ethic, a lot of passion and energy, and we are thrilled to have her be part of this team.”

Kansas will lose four seniors — Jill Dorsey, Ashley Bechard, Ashley Michaels and Lindsey Morris — to graduation this season. The Jayhawks (14-9, 5-9 Big 12 Conference) will host Baylor at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.