OU Volleyball Signs Two For 2006

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma volleyball team announced the signing of Bridget Laplante and Francie Ekwerekwu to national letters of intent Friday. Laplante is a 6-0 outside hitter hailing from Houston, Texas, while Ekwerekwu, a product of Arlington, Texas, is a 5-11 middle blocker.

The two future Sooners will comprise head coach Santiago Restrepo's second recruiting class at the University of Oklahoma. In 2004, Restrepo brought in five to the OU program and three of them now see consistent playing time in the OU lineup.

Laplante (pronounced la-PLAHNT) arrives with valuable experience at the club level, where she was a two-year captain of the Texas Tornados, a Houston based club program that is a consistent top-five program throughout the country. She is one of 10 members of the Texas Tornados that has signed with an NCAA Division I team for 2006.

As a member of the Klein Oak High School squad, Laplante was also successful. The two-time district MVP is currently leading all of class 5A in the State of Texas in kills per game (5.7) while also leading her team in digs on the season. Laplante has guided Klein Oak to two consecutive district championships and is currently helping her team seek a third. The right-handed outside hitter is considered by PrepVolleyball.com as one of the top 250 players in the country.

“We're extremely excited to sign a player of Bridget's caliber at the University of Oklahoma, “ Restrepo said. “She has been the captain of a club program that has been the No. 1 in the nation or at least in the top-five over the last couple of years. She has been a key player for them in pressure situations when it really counts. In addition to her outstanding leadership qualities, Bridget has extremely good ball control, a great jump serve and plays great defense. For an outside hitter, she can jump extremely high while hitting with a lot of power. She has a lot of qualities that will be extremely valuable to this team next year.”

Ekwerekwu (pronounced eck-uh-RECK-uh-woo) is a versatile athlete who is known to be an intimidating force at the net. The middle blocker is a two-time Co-Blocker of the Year for her district and led Arlington High School to four straight state playoffs. During her senior campaign, Ekwerekwu was the lone member of her high school squad to play in all 117 games. She also led her team in blocks per game (0.90) while averaging 2.1 kills per game on a .441 clip.

Additionally, Ekwerekwu is a standout member of the basketball and track teams. The two-time all-district selection in basketball was also the squad's MVP as a sophomore and a junior. Ekwerekwu will join current OU junior setter Rachel Jackson as the second player from Arlington High School on the OU squad.

“Francie is a very intimidating force at the net,” Restrepo said. “She's capable of jumping very high and touching at least 10 feet which makes her a strong blocker at the net. Anything at the net, she handles extremely well. She has competed on a very competitive club team and has been very successful. We couldn't be more pleased that she has chosen to be a Sooner.”

The Oklahoma volleyball squad will only lose two seniors this season in middle blocker Jennifer Adams and outside hitter Gabriela Tonon. The Sooners will return five starters and a libero in 2006.

The 2005 version of the Oklahoma volleyball team will wrap up its regular season, Saturday Nov. 26 against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.

Player Bios

Bridget Laplante (pronounced la-PLAHNT)
6-0, Outside Hitter
Houston Texas (Klein Oak H.S.)

High School
A four-year starter at Klein Oak High School coached by Christy Mewis ... Led high school squad to two consecutive district championships ... Three-time all-district selection ... Klein Oak team captain ... Selected as her team's MVP during sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... Two-time district MVP (2004, 2005) ... Averaged 5.7 kills per game during senior season ... Led squad in digs as senior ... Led all of class 5A in the state of Texas in kills in 2005 ... Member of the 2004 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State squad ... Named to the Kingwood All-Tournament team in 2004 and 2005 ... Selected to the Spring Branch All-Tournament team as a junior ... Played club ball for the Texas Tornados coached by Tara Cross-Battle ... 2004-05 team captain for the Texas Tornados ... Led club squad to tournament crowns at the Las Vegas Invitational Tournament, Big South National Qualifier and the Lone Star National Qualifier in 2005 ... One of 10 players on Texas Tornados that will be playing NCAA Division I volleyball in 2006 ... Recognized by PrepVolleyball.com as a “Senior Ace” ... Named to the Houston Chronicle Greater Houston first team in 2004 ... Two-time Houston Chronicle Player of the Week during junior and senior campaigns.

Personal
Daughter of Greg and Brenda Laplante ... one older sister, Christina (25), and one older brother, Andrew (21) ... Outstanding student who will graduate in top five percent of her class ... Also a member of National Honor Society ... Born March 18, 1988.

Francie Ekwerekwu (pronounced eck-uh-RECK-uh-woo)
5-11, Middle Blocker
Arlington, Texas (Arlington H.S.)

High School
Listed on PrepVolleyball.com's “Senior Ace” List ... Two-time district Co-Blocker of the Year as a sophomore and junior ... Named First Team All-District 7-5A in 2003 and 2004 ... Only member of high school team to play in all 117 games during senior campaign ... Led her team in blocks in 2005 with a 0.90 per game average ... Recorded 2.1 kills per game while hitting at a .441 clip as a senior ... Guided Arlington High School to a 32-9 record in 2005 ... Selected as squad's Most Improved Player and team captain in 2004 ... Named a Fort Worth Star-Telegram Player to Watch in 2005 ... Competed on the Texas Advantage 17 Asics club team that finished second at 2005 Lonestar Tournament ...Also competed for the basketball and track teams ...Two-time all-district selection in basketball ... Selected as the basketball team MVP as a sophomore and a junior ... 2004 5A Regional Finalist in Triple Jump.

Personal
Daughter of Robin Lake ... Older brother, Brad, is a wide receiver for the University of Missouri football team ... Involved in Key Club, National Honor Society and the American Sign Language Club ... Born April 10, 1988.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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