Volleyball | 12/06/2016
MOSCOW, Idaho—Idaho volleyball coach
Debbie Buchanan announced the addition of three student-athletes for the 2017 season on Tuesday.
Rachel Mills (Carlsbad, Calif.),
Nicole Ball (Folsom, Calif.) and Boise State transfer
Reece Carman (Walla Walla, Wash.) will play for the Vandals next season.
"All three additions are great team players," Buchanan commented. "They are competitive and stong academically. I am excited about the future of all three players and I am looking forward to watching them continue to develop into impact players for our program."
Mills, a 6-1 outside/opposite hitter, helped La Costa Canyon to the State CIF Open Div. Quarterfinals in 2016. The Mavericks finished the season ranked No. 18 in California with a 23-11 record. Mills recorded 207 career kills in 132 total sets. She helped LCC win the 2015 San Diego Section DI Championship in her junior year. She recorded eight kills and five blocks in the four-set victory. She was a First Team All-Avocado West League selection in 2015, upgrading from her Second-Team selection as a sophomore. Mills played club for nationally ranked Coast VBC. She helped the team finish No. 1 in the SCVA regular season rankings in both 2014 and 2015. Off the court Mills was a San Diego Tribune All-Academic selection as well as a Presidential Award winner in 2011.
"Rachel has a heavy arm and knows how to find the court," Buchanan noted. "She is competitive, strong, and plays for Coast, the top club volleyball team in Southern California. She is a great team player and is used to playing at a high level."
Ball, a 6-3 middle blocker, played three years of varsity at Vista del Lago H.S. She led the Capital Athletic League in hitting percentage, blocks and kill percentage in 2016. Her 208 kills ranked third in the league. Ball totaled 322 kills and 129 career blocks for the Eagles. She also totaled a .354 hitting percentage to go along with 33 career aces. Ball captained the team in 2016, earning All-Capital League honors. Ball earned league honorable mention honors in her sophomore and junior seasons. As a junior she helped Vista del Lago win the Capital League championship with a 9-1 conference record. Ball played for Northern California Volleyball Club under head coach Tyler Salcedo.
"Nicole is long, physical and light on her feet," Buchanan said. "I have watched her over the last few years and I am excited about her continued growth and athletic ability. Nicole plays year round. She is an impact player at Vista del Lago and continues to train and compete with NCVC, one of the top clubs in Northern California."
Carman, a 6-4 outside/middle, spent her freshman year playing at Boise State. She totaled 38 kills and 11 blocks in 35 sets for the Broncos. She recorded a season-high 11 kills BSU's 3-0 win over Abilene Christian. Carman joined the Vandals in October, taking a redshirt due to NCAA transfer rules.
Carman was a three-year varsity player at Walla Walla H.S., before attending Boise State. She captained the team as a senior in 2014, earning Second Team All-District honors. Carman was honorable mention in 2013. In the summer of 2013 Carman was selected to play on the USA Continental Team by USA Volleyball. She traveled to Florida and played against teams from around the world.
"Reece transferred in to Idaho this past fall and redshirted for us," Buchanan added. "She is a competitive player who plays high above the net and moves extremely well for a long player. She is a fast learner, great teammate and has been an outstanding addition to our program."
