Feb. 15, 2000

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming head volleyball coach Susan Judge has announced the signing of two student-athletes to national letters of intent to attend the University of Wyoming. "Both of these athletes provide a great deal of size to our team. When you add 6'4" and 6'3" to your roster it's a very exciting thing. They both come in with solid volleyball skills and overall athleticism. With training you're going to find out that both of these kids are going to turn into very good volleyball players. Overall, I'm excited about both of these athletes, and I feel they can make an immediate contribution to the team."

Here are the signees:

Lori Sanford, 6-4, Middle Blocker, Chadron, Neb.:

Enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January of 2000. An All-Conference and All-Region selection as a sophomore at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. She was also a member of the team that won the Region VIIII Volleyball Championship, and was ranked fifth in the country in 1998. She was coached in junior college by Verl Petsch Jr. At Chadron High School, Sanford was selected All-Region, Conference and All-State as a senior, plus participated in the East/West All-Star Game. She was also a three-year letterwinner in basketball, where she earned All-Region, Conference and All-State honors as a senior. Sanford was coached in high school by Angela Rhoades. An excellent student, she was a member of the honor roll, and was selected among Who's Who Among High School Students and Sports. Lori is the daughter of Roger and Carol Sanford. She was recruited by several other schools including Kansas and Idaho State.

"We are obviously very excited about Lori transferring to Wyoming. She is already enrolled in school and is currently training with the team, and I've seen some things I'm excited about. She will definitely contribute in our blocking, and comes into the program with a solid background and good skills in that area. The pace of the Division I college game will challenge her initially, and that will be something she will have to adjust to. But, she has done a good job so far, and will definitely be a factor in our blocking scheme, an area we really emphasize. Offensively, I think she can really provide a spark and really solidify our middle blocker position. She should really challenge for a starting spot, and it will be exciting to see how she progresses over the semester."

Melissa Robinett, 6-3, RS/MB, El Paso, Texas:

A three-year letterwinnner at Andress High School in El Paso, Texas. She was selected First Team All-District and Outstanding Hitter-District City as a senior, and Second Team All-District as a junior. Robinett was coached in high school by Eva Navarro. She also earned letters in basketball and track & field, and was a regional qualifier as a junior and senior in track & field. An excellent student, she was a member of the Honor Roll throughout high school. Melissa is the daughter of John and Tae Robinett. Has a sister Jennifer, who plays volleyball at Angelo State. She was also recruited by several other schools, including UTEP, Rhode Island and Idaho State.

"Melissa is a very strong player at 6'3". She has solid ball handling skills, which is uncommon for a taller athlete. She has the potential to play at both the middle blocker and right side positions. We will probably look for her to play at the right side to begin with, and she also adds another passer to our ball control core. She moves extremely well, and will be a big surprise next season. Melissa should really fit in with the team quickly, especially with the departure of several athletes from the right side position. I think it was important in our recruiting to be able to bring in an athlete with the offensive power that we had with a player like Jami Laya, and I feel that Melissa is that type of player."