San Antonio – St. Mary’s University new volleyball coach Jenny Warmack-Chipman announced the signing of four new players. Nicole Canales, Melissa Dahle, Kelsey Davis and Karlie Ortega signed national letters of intent to join the Rattlers, starting with the 2010-2011 academic year.

Canales (Jr., 5’11”, Setter, Copperas Cove, Texas) comes to St. Mary’s from Hill College, where she was a first team all-conference and first team All-Region V honoree. She helped lead HC to a 24-11 record and a berth in the NJCAA Region V North Tournament. Off the court, she earned Academic All-Region and Honor Roll recognition. Prior to her time at HC, she played one year at Henderson State University. She saw action in 88 sets, averaging 1.89 assists and 1.25 digs per set. Off the court, she earned Academic All-Conference and Honor Roll recognition. Canales was a two-time all-district honoree and Most Valuable Setter honors for coach Cari Lowery at Copperas Cover High School. Canales helped lead CCHS to the regional tournament during her time with the team. She also earned Honor Roll recognition and was named Academic All-District.

Dahle (Fr., 5’7″, Outside Hitter, San Antonio) was a three-year letterwinner for coach Maddie Williams at Louis D. Brandeis High School. She earned first team all-district honors and was the team MVP as a junior. She again earned first team all-district recognition as a senior in 2009. Dahle helped lead BHS to bi-district playoff appearances in 2008 and 2009. She was an Honor Roll student.

Davis (Fr., 5’11”, Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker, San Antonio) played for coach Nicole Blakeman at Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School, where she earned all-district honors. As a senior, she led her team in blocks and was named team Most Valuable Player. Off the court, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, graduated Summa Cum Laude, was a Texas Distinguished Graduate, received the United States Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award, and was also named Academic All-District and Academic All-State.

Ortega (Fr., 5’7″, Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter, San Antonio) joins her high school teammate, Dahle, as a signee from Brandeis High School. Ortega was a two-time all-district honoree, including first team honors as a senior. She earned MVP honors of the 2009 Northeast ISD Tournament, the 2008 South San Tournament and the 2008 Seguin Tournament. Ortega helped lead the Broncos to a pair of bi-district playoff appearances and was her team co-captain. She earned Honor Roll recognition, was named Academic All-State, received the Tim Duncan Character Award and ranked 12th in her graduating class.

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