STEPHENVILLE - Tarleton head volleyball coach Mary Schindler has announced Tuesday the signing of two players to national letters-of-intent for the 2010 season.

Joining Tarleton next fall will be setter Danielle Barker and defensive specialist Emily Klein. Both players come from Amarillo High School, one of the most prominent volleyball teams in all of the nation, finishing the past two seasons ranked No. 4 in ESPN's RISE FAB 50. The Sandies ranked No. 7 in the nation according to the MaxPreps.com high school volleyball rankings.

"Coach Mariner and I are very pleased to bring in a pair of players with such a winning tradition in their backgrounds. They will bring in a mental toughness to the team and I expect both of them to make an immediate impact on the TexAnn volleyball program."

Barker was a three-year letterwinner for the Sandies and helped lead her team to three consecutive state titles. The 5-5 setter recorded 99 kills, 54 service aces and 244 digs during her senior season. She recorded 887 assists this past season and finished the year ranked 61st, state-wide, with a 6.0 assists per set average. 

Barker has been named a Texas Sportswriters Second Team All-State selection and has earned Lonestar Volleyball Outstanding Setter Honorable Mention accolades as well. She was a two-time, First Team All- District 2-5A selection and was also named an honorable mention selection on the Amarillo Globe News Super Team.

"Danielle will have an immediate impact on our offense when she comes in," Schindler said. She is an extremely smart setter who can set the ball to any spot on the floor. She has the ability to run a fast-paced offense and we will benefit from that, along with her defense and great leadership ability."

Klein is a two-year letterwinner for the Sandies and was a member of the past two state championship teams after helping lead the team to consecutive 48-3 seasons. A 5-6 defensive specialist, Klein recorded 22 service aces and 205 digs as a senior.

Klein was an American Volleyball Coaches Association academic award winner in 2008 and earned all-district honorable mention accolades in 2009. She also received special recognition on the 2009 Lonestar Volleyball All-Texas team.

"Emily has a great platform and she will step in and contribute to our defense when she gets on campus," Schindler said. "She is quick, reads hitters very well and has great composure on the floor."