Cox Brings in Three During Early Signing Period

AIKEN, S.C. - University of South Carolina Aiken head volleyball coach Glenn Cox announced the signing of three players to a National Letter of Intent on Friday, Nov. 20.

Cox will welcome Endea Ellison, Emily Maassen and Leah Rodgers to his 2010 Pacer volleyball team.

"I am extremely excited to be able to add these three quality student-athletes to our program," noted Cox. "All three will contribute significantly to the future success of the Pacer volleyball program."

Ellison is a native of Orange Park, Fla. She played her high school volleyball for Episcopal High School in Jacksonville, Fla. She played her club volleyball for the Jacksonville Juniors.

Ellison is a 5-foot-9 middle hitter who last year as a senior collected 189 kills and 102 digs. She finished her senior season hitting .235. A team captain, she was chosen to the All-Tournament team at the Bolles Invitational. Ellison acquired 126 kills and 47 blocks as a junior.

In club volleyball, Ellison was a member of the 16 and under 2009 Florida Junior Regional second place team.

Ellison is a star on the track for Episcopal as well where she is the school record holder for 300 meter hurdles. She is also a strong student, earning A/B Honor Roll accolades in both 2008 and 2009.

Maassen joins the Pacer volleyball program out of Ellisville, Mo. She attended Marquette High School in Chesterfield, Mo. Maassen was a member of the Rockwood Thunder Volleyball Club.

A 6-foot-2 right-side hitter, Maassen brings an impressive resume to USC Aiken. She was named First Team All-Conference and All-District after the conclusion of her senior season. She was an All-Region Second Team member.

Maassen earned Marquette's team Most Valuable Player award after finishing her senior season with 188 kills, 71 digs and 80 blocks. She finished her final high school volleyball campaign hitting .313. One year earlier as a junior, Maassen obtained 91 kills and 98 blocks.

Strong in the classroom, Maassen is an Honor Roll student at Marquette. 

Rodgers joins the USC Aiken volleyball program out of Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Fla. A 5-foot-8 outside hitter, Rodgers is a native of Longwood, Fla. She played her club volleyball for TVA Winter Springs where as the team captain she helped lead them to the 17 and under Junior Olympics National Championships.

The Lake Mary team captain in 2009, Rodgers was named an All-Conference performer earlier this week. She helped lead Lake Mary to the Seminole County Conference championship.

Rodgers acquired 215 kills this past season. She concluded her senior year hitting .260.

In total, Rodgers is a three-time All-Conference award recipient and a four-year letterwinner. She was captain of Lake Mary's varsity team for three years. She was also named the Lake Mary Offensive Most Valuable Player after her junior campaign.

A two-sport athlete, Rodgers is the reigning conference champion in weightlifting. She is also strong in the classroom where she is a four-year Honor Roll student.

Rodgers comes from an athletic family. Her brother, Chase, is a member of the 2009 Big East Conference Champion Louisville Men's Soccer Team.