Nov. 19, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest volleyball team has signed a pair of club teammates out of St. Louis for the class of 2012, head coach Heather Kahl Holmes announced on Monday. Carlin Salmon (Wildwood, Mo.) and Maddie Vain (St. Louis, Mo.) officially committed to join the Demon Deacon volleyball program by signing letters of intent last week. Salmon and Vain are teammates on the St. Louis CYC Volleyball Club. It is the same club program that current Deacon freshman Megan Thornberry was a part of during her prep playing days. Salmon and Vain led St. Louis CYC to a bronze medal finish at the 2007 JOVC Nationals for the U-17 Open Division. The duo also led their club team to runner-up finishes at the 2004 and 2006 JOVC Nationals and a U-15 JOVC Nationals championship in 2005. "We are excited to have Maddie and Carlin join the Wake Forest Volleyball family," said Kahl Holmes. "We like the idea of them being club teammates, along with them coming from the same club program as Megan [Thornberry]. It brings instant trust and familiarity to the team." Salmon, a 6-1 middle blocker, comes to Wake Forest out of St. Joseph's Academy in St. Louis. She was a two-time all-state and all-region honoree and helped St. Joseph's advance to the Missouri Class 4 State Finals in 2005 and 2006. Prepvolleyball.com named Salmon as a top-80 recruit for the signing class of 2008. Off the court, Salmon is an active volunteer with her high school and church. She has been a member of the St. Joseph's Academy Honor Roll each of her first three years of high school. Salmon is also an accomplished musician. "Carlin is a middle blocker, but she has the talent to play many different positions on this team," said Kahl Holmes. "She is a pure athlete whose quickness and instincts will be very valuable to us in the middle. She comes from a winning background both in high school and her club program."
Vain, a 5-11 right side and outside hitter, joins the Demon Deacons out of Villa Duchesne in St. Louis. She was a two-time first team all-state and first team all-region honoree for the Saints. Vain also earned first team all-district kudos each of her four years. On the club level, Vain was named MVP at the 2005 JOVC Nationals U-15 Open Division. She also earned all-tournament honors at the 2006 and 2007 JOVC Nationals. Vain was a member of the Villa Duchesne basketball team her freshman and sophomore years. Off the court, Vain is a member of the National Honor Society and was a delegate to the 2006 Congressional National Youth Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. She has been a member of the Villa Duchesne Honor Roll each of her first three years of high school. "Maddie is a lefty who can play right side or outside hitter for us," said Kahl Holmes. "Her ability to shut down hitters with her block is just one of her many skills. Her fiery court presence and her will to win will have an immediate impact on this program. Her volleyball background speaks volumes about her hard work and talent." |
