YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University head volleyball coach Kim Berrington, in her continual development of one of the top programs in the Mid-American Conference, has signed two players to National Letters of Intent. Berrington announced Wednesday, Nov. 18, that Paige Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Notre Dame Academy) and Erin Short (Orrville, Ohio-Orrville) have signed to play for the Eagles in 2010.
Roback, a 6-foot-0 outside hitter, joins the Eagles from Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, Ohio, where she was a four-year starter. During her senior campaign, Roback was named first team All-City, All-District and All-State while recording 342 kills, 193 digs, 59 service aces and 25 set assists for the Eagles. Named to the Top Senior Aces List by PrepVolleyball.com, the Maumee, Ohio native was selected the Toledo City League's Player of the Year during both her junior and senior campaigns.
For her career, Roback racked up a school-record 1,090 kills and 173 aces along with posting a single-match record 33 kills twice in her career. A four-time City League selection, Roback earned honorable mention accolades as a freshman before picking up first team honors her final three seasons at Notre Dame Academy. She was also honored three separate years as the team's MVP. In addition, she was listed 79th as a sophomore on the PrepVolleyball.com rankings, as well as being named to the USA Volleyball Regional High Performance team. In the off season, Roback was part of a club team that finished as the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic National Runner-up and for her effort garnered All-American accolades.
Short, a 6-foot-0 outside hitter, was a four-year letter winner at Orrville High School in Orrville, Ohio. She holds the school's records for the most kills in career with 1,160, while ranking second in career digs with 1,006. A senior captain, Short was named the Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year as well as picking up first-team All-District and All-State honors. During her senior campaign, the Orrville, Ohio native racked up 364 kills, 209 digs, 31 total blocks and 27 service aces.
As a junior, Short led the squad in kills and was second in digs en route to picking up first team All-Conference, All-District and All-State accolades. In the off season, she garnered USA Volleyball All-American honors and was on the club team that finished second at the Junior Olympic Nationals.
The additions will give the Eagles and Berrington needed depth as they pursue their second Mid-American Conference West Division championship. Eastern Michigan returns five starters and a libero for the 2010 campaign, including outside hitter Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) who became just the second freshman in EMU history to lead the squad in kills during a season.