The Kent State volleyball team signed three athletes to its fall roster Thursday.

Heather Dixon will join the Flashes from Bethel Park, Pa., where she was a three-time honoree of the All-Section and All-WIPAL teams, as well as an All-State selection her senior year. Dixon was also a two-year captain and MVP, leading her team to its first section championship in 18 years during her junior year of high school.

“Heather is the complete package,” Kent State coach Mora Kanim said in a press release. “Not only does she hit and block very well, but passes and defends as well. Her all-around skill level will help us in many ways.”

Also contributing to the lineup is setter Jenny Keck from Fort Wayne, Ind., where she played for Concordia Lutheran High School and Fort Wayne volleyball club. Keck was an Academic All-State honoree in her senior year.

“Jenny is a unique volleyball player because she is playing both setter and middle blocker right now, which is rare and speaks to her great athleticism,” Kanim said.

The final addition to the team is Katie Veatch from Cincinnati, Ohio. Veatch joins the Flashes with numerous honors from her senior year of high school, including All-American, All-State, All-Region and All-League. She also led her team to back-to-back state championships her junior and senior year, as well as placed third on the Junior Olympic National Championship team where she was named to the All-Tournament team.

Although the 2006-2007 season schedule has yet to be announced, Kanim said she can see Dixon, Keck and Veatch developing into a strong class.

“I think that this class represents a great mix of experience and potential,” she said. “These student-athletes have all played on high-level club and high school teams where they were very successful.”

— Amanda Vasil