Local trio going to TWC

At a mass ceremony this morning for all of Red Bank High School's 2010 college signees, middle hitter Ashley Reed plans to accept officially an offer to continue her volleyball career at Tennessee Wesleyan College.

The 6-foot-2 middle hitter for the reigning Class AA state champion will join classmate Bailey Lyness at the NAIA school in Athens, where Lyness will play basketball and be a suite mate. Reed, who had 87 blocks in her senior season, follows East Ridge's Dimon Darden and Shalonda Fugh in signing to play for Wesleyan coach Toby Brooks.

"Ashley has great length, and coming from a strong high school program she has a good basic knowledge of the game and techniques," Brooks said Tuesday. "I believe if she can come in and get a little stronger and a little quicker, she can really make an impact for us in the coming years.

"As far as Dimon and Shalonda go, we think they are going to be great additions as well. Having played under Coach (Catherine) Neely at East Ridge, both will come in with a strong understanding of the game and a good work ethic. They both have a lot of natural athletic ability, which allows them to make up for a little that they lack in height."

Fugh and Darden were the only seniors for East Ridge last season, and both were three-year starters and two-time all-region selections. Fugh had 391 kills, 315 digs and 108 blocks in 2009, when Darden had 339 kills, 145 digs, 109 aces and 70 blocks.

"They are talented enough to make a difference in a program at the next level," Neely was quoted on the TWC Web site. "Over the years they have worked hard, stuck it out and invested a lot of time to be better players."

Reed chose Wesleyan over Trevecca Nazarene, Piedmont and Bryan.

"I really like the school, and other than Bryan it was the closest to home," she said. "I really liked the girls and the coaches, and I felt at home there. Plus, Bailey is going there. She's my best friend."

Red Bank coach Christel Brooks, no relation to the TWC coach, said she expects Reed to "be able to contribute right away" for the Lady Bulldogs, who were 4-25 and 1-15 in their league last season.

"She has a good team-first attitude and a good work ethic," the Lady Lions coach said. "She's very coachable and a very selfless player."