Missouri Western women’s volleyball coach Cory Frederick has announced the signing of two student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2012 season. The Griffons welcome Meghan Penolio of San Diego, Calif. (Chillicothe, Mo.) And Melissa Cairns of Taurango, New Zealand to next fall’s squad. Penolio and Cairns join Holly Pollock of Bloomington, Ill., Jessie Thorup of Olathe, Kan. and Jordan Chohon of Columbus, Neb. to next year’s squad as they singed back in November.
Melissa Cairns a 5-9 outside hitter from Tauranga, New Zealand played her high school volleyball at Otumoetai College. She was named her team’s Most Outstanding Player and was her team’s captain for two seasons. She was also named to the New Zealand All-Tournament team twice. Her greatest sports moment was playing against Japan in the Youth Asian Championships. She plans on majoring in biology/wildlife conservation management.
“As we look to fill our opening at the outside hitter position, Melissa Cairns will be a top candidate to take on this role,” stated Coach Frederick. “She has extensive experience on the court both in her home of New Zealand as well as around the world in other tournaments. That experience will be a great benefit to her and hopefully will make her transition to the college game a quick one. She’s not only a great volleyball player, but a wonderful person whom we look forward to having in our program.”
Meghan Penolio a 5-9 outside hitter from San Diego, Calif. played her high school volleyball at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, Calif. She moved to Chillicothe, Mo. in January of 2012 and will graduate from Chillicothe High School. She was a four year letter winner, her team’s MVP and a team captain. She was also a First Team all-League performer as a senior and a Second Team all-League performer as a junior. She was her team’s best offensive player and led her league in kills. She was a Union Tribune Scholar Athlete recipient and will major in physical therapy at Western.
“Meghan Penolio will also come to Missouri Western to compete for the outside hitter position in 2012,” commented Coach Frederick. “She is a great all-around athlete with experience playing both here in the Midwest as well as in California where she lived for most of her career. I’ve had the opportunity to work with her older brother whom I coached at Park University in 2008. It’s great to have another Penolio to work with for the next 4 years. Megan is a joy to have on our roster and I look forward to having her with us in August.”
— MWSU Sports Information —