University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Volleyball Announces Signings From Class Of 2003
November 15, 2002 | Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--North Carolina head volleyball coach Joe Sagula has announced the signings of three student-athletes - Amy Beaver, Meg Eckert and Emily Guerry - to a national letter of intent. The trio will join the Tar Heels, currently ranked No. 12 in the nation by the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches Poll, next fall. The Tar Heels have won three consecutive ACC titles and this season are in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranked No. 1 in the NCAA East District.
"This may be one of the most athletic and highly respected classes we have ever recruited to our program," Sagula said. "Each player brings a wealth of experience having competed with some of the strongest junior programs from around the country.
"They will be the foundation for the next four years and bring our team to the next level while adding to the great traditions we have established here in Chapel Hill."
Amy Beaver is a 6-1 middle blocker from Powder Springs, Ga. She attends Harrison High School and plays for the Atlanta Juniors Volleyball Club.
"Amy is one of the best athletes to come into the program," Sagula said. "She is a great jumper whose quickness off the floor and smooth skills will make her a dynamic middle. Her best skill coming into UNC is her ability to be a dominating player at the net, especially as a blocker. She also has good ball control and can hit a variety of play sets.
"Amy plays the game with great spirit and should be a big part of the Tar Heels future."
Beaver has been featured in Student Sports Magazine and named Offensive Player of the Year in her sophomore and junior years in Georgia. In 2002, she broke the Georgia state career kill and block records while leading her team to runner-up in the Georgia state championship. An honor roll student, she is the daughter of Jeff and Karen Beaver.
Meg Eckert, a 6-1 outside hitter, is from Naperville, Ill. She attends Naperville Central High School and plays for Sports Performance, one of the top national club teams and the former team of North Carolina freshmen McKenzie Byrd and Dani Nyenhuis.
"Meg is one of the best outside hitters in the country from the class of 2003. Her power as an attacker and skill in the back court will help make an immediate impact with the Tar Heels and in the ACC," Sagula said. "She is a versatile player who can play any outside hitter position; she has excellent ball control and is a major factor on the block. Her training experience with Sports Performance will enable her to be a force early in her career for Carolina."
This past season, Eckert broke the kill record at Naperville Central and was named First-Team All-State by The Chicago Tribune. She has been named All-Conference, and two-time All-State by the Chicago Sun Times, and both USAV and AAU All-America. A proficient equestrian rider, she is the daughter of Matt and Lisa Eckert.
Emily Guerry, a 6-4 middle blocker from San Rafael, Calif., is from The Branson School and plays for Empire Volleyball Club, one of the premier teams in Northern California.
"Emily will be the tallest player ever to put on a Carolina volleyball uniform. She is an athletic middle who can be a force as a blocker and attack with power," Sagula said. "Emily has a great presence on the court, she is quick, mobile and is an intelligent player. Her size and athletic ability will make her a force in the years to come for UNC volleyball."
Guerry has been the Most Valuable Player for The Branson School in both volleyball and softball. In 2002 she led the Marin County Athletic League in both kills and blocks. The daughter of Thomas Guerry and Cindy Herron, she also works with the Special Olympics.
