AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Brent Crouch announced Wednesday the addition of four student-athletes that will join the program for the 2021 Auburn volleyball season.
Outside hitters Fallan Lanham and Cassidy Tanton, setter/right side Jordan Sinness and libero Kate Curtis will join the Tigers next fall after outstanding prep careers.
Earlier this week, Lanham, Tanton and Sinness were honored as members of the American Volleyball Coaches Association High School All-Region Teams. Sinness and Tanton added 2020 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America honors Wednesday afternoon.
"This is a great class of players to really jump start our program's rise," Crouch said. "I am very proud of this group of young people. They will collectively push our program in a positive direction and begin to lay some foundation for our future success."
KATE CURTIS
Hometown: Anderson, S.C.
High School: T.L. Hanna High School
Club: Upward Stars
Position: Libero
Height: 5-6
Highlights: A four-year letterwinner at T.L. Hanna High School … recorded over 1,100 digs during her high school career to average 3.6 digs per set … selected an All-Region performer … named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player … earned both academic and athletic awards over her prep career … member of the Under Armor All-American Watch List … named to the Hub City Classic All-Tournament Team … member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club and an academic honor roll staple … competes with Upward Stars club team … named to the Ultra-Ankle JVA Watch List.
Crouch on Curtis: "Kate Curtis will join Fallan in the back row, too. She exhibits that same toughness and energy that we value in those positions."
FALLAN LANHAM
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
High School: Mercy Academy of Louisville
Club: KIVA Volleyball
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 5-8
Highlights: A four-year varsity athlete at Mercy Academy … led Mercy to varsity regional and district championships for four consecutive seasons, dating back to 2017 … back-to-back All-District team selection in 2019 and 2020 … 2020 AVCA All-Region Team honoree … served 25-0 during the 2019 South Carolina State Tournament … Named top performer at the Durango Fall Classic Tournament … Led Mercy's junior varsity team to an undefeated season in 2017 … also a member of the cross country program … academically, is a four-year honor roll selection and served as a member of the BETA club and National Society of High School Scholars … competed for Union Volleyball and, more recently, KIVA Volleyball clubs … 2018 Showdown in the Smokies champion … 2017 Mid-South Mayhem Tournament Champion … 2016 AAU Nationals Championship All-American … 2015 AAU National Championship finalist.
Crouch on Lanham: "Fallan Lanham has been competing and leading her teams as an outside hitter but will transition to a libero for us. She has incredible energy and a deep competitive drive."
JORDAN SINNESS
Hometown: Sebring, Fla.
High School: Sebring High School
Club: Top Select Volleyball Academy
Position: Setter
Height: 5-9
Highlights: A four-time Most Valuable Player selection … a four-time FACA All-State Team performer (2017, 2018, 2019) … selected to the All-County team in 2017 … tabbed the 2018 High School Volleyball All-Country Player of the Year … 2020 AVCA All-Region Team honoree … 2020 FACA All-Star participant … 2020 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American … closed her prep career with 1,911 assists, 177 service aces, 859 digs and 127 blocks … serves as secretary for the National Junior Honor Society and vice president of Mu Alpha Theta … also is a member of the Student Government Association … competes with Top Select Volleyball Academy … 2017 AUU National Volleyball All-Star … qualified for 15u Nationals (USA) and 16u Nationals (Open).
Crouch on Sinness: "At setter, Jordan Sinness will be a great addition. She is highly skilled and already has been trained in a similar setting technique and system. She will transition quickly to our style of offense."
CASSIDY TANTON
Hometown: Stoneville, N.C.
High School: Dalton McMichael High School
Club: Twin City Volleyball Club
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 6-0
Highlights: Led Dalton McMichael to an undefeated regular season (23-0) and a conference championship as a sophomore in 2018 … 2018 High School Invitational Tournament Champions … selected the Greensboro News & Record 2018 All-Area Player of the Year … tabbed the 2018 team's Most Valuable Player … a 2018 Mid-State 3A All-Tournament player … selected 2018 Mid-State 3A First Team All-Conference after leading the league in kills and finishing second in hitting percentage … ranked second in the state of North Carolina for kills as a sophomore … finished in the top five in the state 3A in both kills and hitting percentage … 2019 All-West Selection … 2019 Mid-State 3A Conference Most Outstanding Player of the Year … 2019 State 3A First Team All-Conference … 2019 Mid-State 3A All-Tournament Team selection … 2019 team Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year … eclipsed 1,100 career kills as a junior … led the conference in kills over the 2019 season … 2020 AVCA All-Region Team … 2020 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American … member of the National Honor Society, BETA Club and FCA … honor roll member that is currently ranked in the top 25 percent of her class … competes for Twin City Volleyball Club … 2019 AVCA Phenom List … AAU Nationals Premier Day Two Star Search (Supernova) … 2020 Under Armor All-American Watch List.
Crouch on Tanton: "Cassidy Tanton is a talented outside hitter with a powerful arm and can really fly. Her work ethic is really special."
Crouch adds four during fall signing period
