University of North Carolina Athletics
2009 Volleyball Roster
Heather Brooks
- Position:
- MB
- Height:
- 6-3
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- East Lansing, Mich.
- High School:
- East Lansing
During her time at Carolina, Brooks helped Carolina win the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. The East Lansing, Mich., native had a breakout season as a junior in 2008, where she led the team with a .310 hitting percentage and finished first on the team in blocks with 115 en route to garnering All-ACC Second Team honors. After helping lead the Tar Heels to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Brooks was tabbed AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and named AVCA All-East Region.
"Having Heather come back is a great addition to our Carolina volleyball program," said Sagula. "She brings with her invaluable experience as one of the best middle hitters in school history and also one of the best in the ACC. She will work specifically with our middle hitter as well as handle our scouting and video analysis this fall. Heather will be a great coach for our veteran players: Shelbey Bleke, Tia Gaffen, Meg Yanda, and our freshman Cameron Van Noy, with our training in the gym every day."
Brooks completed her Tar Heel career second-all time in block assists with 380 and ranks fourth all-time in blocking average with 1.09 blocks per set. Also a standout in the classroom, she was a two-time All-ACC Academic selection as well as a member of the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic District III First Team.
Brooks returns to Carolina from Europe where she spent the last year playing professionally as a middle blocker for Pronto Freddo Fondi, a third division Italian club located in Fondi, Italy.
"Playing in Italy was an amazing experience," said Brooks. "Not only was I able to continue playing volleyball, but I also learned a lot about a different culture. It took awhile to get used to the different style of game that is played, but I really enjoyed learning the new game as well as getting to know my teammates."
Brooks and Pronto Freddo Fondi compiled a 22-4 regular-season record to finish in second place, advancing to the playoffs. Pronto went on to win the 2011 Series C Playoffs, earning a bid to compete in Series B2 next season.
Pronto Freddo Findi was also the Coppa Lazio Series C Champions, which is a regular season competition played separate from the regular season between the Lazio region Series C teams.
"I am proud and excited to have another very successful alumnus, along with Eve Rackham, come back and join our staff," said Sagula. Heather exemplifies the Carolina tradition of being a great student-athlete, as she excelled both on the court and in the classroom during her career. She will be an outstanding role model for our team."
