Beachwood volleyball players Shaneice James and Valisha Watkins on Wednesday signed National Letters of Intent to continue their educations and volleyball careers in college.
James, a middle hitter, will sign with Tennessee Tech University. In 2014, James led the team and the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division with 78 blocks. She also was second on the team in kills (105), fourth in digs (114) and added 24 serving aces. She completed her Beachwood career with a school record 15 blocks in a single match and with career highs in blocks in a season (128), blocks in a career (274), most digs in a match (20), most digs in a career (320), most serving aces in a match (8) and most serving aces in a career (64).
James was named First Team All-Chagrin Valley Conference for the second straight season and Second Team All-Northeast Lakes District.
“Shaneice will graduate Beachwood as one of the best volleyball players to come through the program to date, as seen with the many school records she has broken and the stats she has accumulated throughout her high school career,” said Beachwood coach Sarah Schoenhagen. “Shaneice is a team player that never complained and brought a strong presence to both the offense and defense of the team this year. Her selflessness and presence will truly be missed next year. We are positive that she will do great at Tennessee Tech and will be able to unlock a whole new level of her game.”
Watkins will sign with the University of Texas Pan American, where she will play outside hitter. In 2014, she led the team with 213 kills, 193 digs and 50 service aces. She also added 31 blocks and ends her Beachwood career with school records in kills in a match (27), kills in a season (213), kills in a career (256), digs in a single match (20) and serving aces in a single season (50).
Watkins was named First Team All-Chagrin Valley Conference and First Team All-Northeast Lakes District.
“Valisha was our offensive powerhouse this year; there's no denying the presence she had on the floor this year,” Schoenhagen said. “Valisha came in this season and gave it everything she had on offense and defense. Valisha made her mark in Beachwood school records dominating every attacking category throughout her high school career. We are positive Valisha will bring this 'killer' mentality to the next level at Pan American next year.”
