April 11, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK - University of Alaska Fairbanks volleyball coach Phil Shoemaker announced today that Simone Chavous (SIM-moan CHE-viss), a senior outside hitter at Bishop Machebeuf Catholic High School in Aurora, Colorado, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Nanooks.

"Simone is an explosive athlete with a solid skill base and a very competitive and positive court demeanor," said Shoemaker. "She topped our `wish list' for outside hitters, and whenever we sign our number one prospect at any position, we are especially pleased."

The 5-foot-9 Chavous was a two-time captain and three-time Most Valuable Player for the Buffaloes volleyball team, which finished the 2007 season with a 14-10 Class 3A record and 6-5 mark in the Metropolitan Conference.

As a senior at BMCHS, Chavous garnered Metro League first team honors and received honorable mention for the Colorado All-State team. She was a Metro League second team selection as a junior.

A member of Juggernaut Volleyball Club, Chavous plays for the Under-18 team that took 13th place at the AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championship (18 Open Division) last summer.

Chavous will pursue a degree in biological science at UAF and hopes to become a physical therapist. She is the first player to sign for the 2008 season.

After finishing eighth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2007 (10-16, 4-14 GNAC) expectations will be high come August for the Nanook squad that will return all but two players: outside hitters Jenna Jones and Jessica King, who completed their eligibility. Chavous will help fill the void left by the departed seniors and augment the core of veterans that includes sophomore outside hitter Megan Thigpen and junior middle blocker Korlyn Bolster: GNAC standouts in 2007.

"We expect that she will be able to contribute greatly to our success, now and throughout her career," said Shoemaker.