UE Volleyball inks two for next season

University of Evansville head volleyball coach Manolo Concepcion has announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Purple Aces next season.

His signees include: Gabriela Dos Santos of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Allana McInnis, who is from Kennesaw, Ga.

Dos Santos spent her first two collegiate seasons playing at Frank Phillips College in Texas where she worked as an outside hitter and defensive specialist.  She is coming off of a strong sophomore campaign that saw her earn First-Team All-Conference honors in 2016.  As a freshman, her team was the NJCAA Conference Champion and also won the NJCAA Region IV West Championship that season.  She also brings a great work ethic in the classroom as she is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“Gabby will create an immediate impact on ball control and volleyball IQ. She is an all-around player that is able to contribute in many aspects of the game, especially with her capacity to go beyond tangible measures to still influence the game,” Concepcion said.  “She will provide our team with an intense competitive spirit and extensive experience. What she lacks in height, she compensates in heart & versatility. We are very excited to know that Gabby has chosen UE as her next destination, as she brings to the table what Brazilians call “jogo bonito”.”

McInnis will come to UE as a freshman later this year from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga.  She also played for the A5-South Club Team.  As a senior, she led her squad to the state championship and played a pivotal role in that run, being named the MVP.

She was a 3-time All-Area Team honoree while being a member of the USA Volleyball High Performance A2 Team in 2014 and 2015.  Serving as the team captain as a junior and senior, McInnis was also a role model in the classroom, earning a spot on the Honor Roll.

“Allana brings an incredible boost to our setting position with her servant/vocal leadership style, precision/location, and dynamic movement. We were blown away with her personality, as she has tremendous self-confidence and interpersonal skills,” Concepcion explained.  “She is a setter that even played Libero for a year in one of the best clubs in the nation (A5 Volleyball Club), and that has recently led her current team as a Setter towards a double-bid qualification to USA Volleyball National Championships, which will be played this coming weekend. We have high hopes in the depth that will create in the Settin