Spartan Volleyball Adds Two to the 2012 Roster

Ebony Scott and Lauren Wicinski join the Spartans for the 2012 season.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball head coach Cathy George announced on Wednesday that Ebony Scott (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) and Lauren Wicinski (Geneva, Ill./Northern Illinois University) will join the Spartan program for the 2012 season. Scott signed a National Letter of Intent with MSU, while Wicinski transfers in from Northern Illinois, where she was an All-American the last two seasons, and will have two years of eligibility remaining at MSU.

Ebony Scott • 5-11 •OH • Powhatan, Va./Powhatan

As a senior, hit .560, to go along with 247 blocks and 127 aces … Earned second team all-region, first team all-district and team MVP honors in her final season … Played for coach Don Gresham at Powhatan High School and played club volleyball for U-Turn Sports Performance Academy … Also was a standout track & field athlete, earning all-state, all-region, all-district and all-metro honors … Has reached 35’6” in the triple jump and 17’6” in the long jump, while tossing the shot put at 36’4.5” … In the classroom, was an honor roll student and was a VHSL Scholar Athlete Award winner … Daughter of John and Mamie Scott.

Cathy George on Scott: “Ebony Scott caught our attention immediately with her sheer athleticism. All of our coaches noted the similarities between Ebony and Jenilee Rathje. Ebony has the work ethic and drive to make the most of her potential. We are eager to begin working with her and to watch her grow into a top level performer.”

Lauren Wicinski • 6-1 • OH • Geneva, Ill./Geneva/Northern Illinois

First two-time All-American in MAC history; earned third team AVCA honors as a sophomore, after honorable mention recognition as a freshman … Two-time MAC Player of the Year, first team All-MAC and first team AVCA All-Region … As a sophomore, led the nation in points (6.18) and kills (5.34) per set, and was third in aces (0.57) …Hit a career high .302 last season and posted 17 double-doubles … Also third on the team with 329 digs (2.65 per set) and 50 blocks (0.40 per set) … Fastest in MAC history to 1,000 career kills (54 matches) ... 2011 Academic All-Mid-American Conference … As a freshman, finished sixth in the nation in kills (4.82), fifth in points (5.62) and fourth in aces (0.54) …Also finished third on the team in digs (2.42) and fourth in blocks (0.41) … Had 16 double-doubles in her first season … A four-year letterwinner at Geneva High School before attending NIU … As a senior was named an Armour All-American, Illinois’ Gatorade Player of the Year and first team all-state … Daughter of Rob and Gina Wicinski.

Cathy George on Wicinski: “Lauren Wicinski joins as a junior and will immediately make an impact on our team. Lauren’s power, experience and composure will be a welcome asset as we graduated three pin hitters from this past season. Lauren’s unselfish, hardworking, competitive attitude will help balance our attack and give us much needed depth in those positions.”

Scott and Wicinski join Maggie Halloran (OH/MB, 6-3, Ann Arbor, Mich., Ann Arbor Skyline), Hadley Orr (OH/DS, 6-0, Forest, Ind., Clinton Central) and Halle Peterson (S, 5-10, Rockford, Mich., Rockford) as part of the incoming Spartan class. Halloran, Orr and Peterson all signed NLIs with MSU in the fall.