ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State head women's volleyball coach Valerie Jones announced Monday the addition of seven student-athletes who will play for SC State for the upcoming season.
 
Kirby Anderson, Marcella Chestnut, Ashante Finnie, Tyler Ockleberry, Victoria Rushin, Kiana Stone and Kiara Stone will suit up for the Lady Bulldogs this coming fall.
 
Anderson (5-10 middle hitter/Duncanville, Tex./Duncanville HS) earned District 7-5A First-Team honors after the 2013 season at Duncanville HS.
 
Jones on Anderson: "Kirby is a dynamic middle who is very quick. I am excited that she chose SC State."
 
Chestnut (5-9 middle hitter/defensive specialist/Long, S.C./North Myrtle Beach HS) helped North Myrtle Beach HS to its second consecutive appearance in the state championship game in 2013. That season, the Chiefs went undefeated against all Region VII-AAA opponents and was the top overall seed heading into the Class AAA playoffs. Chestnut was one of two Chiefs' volleyball players to play in the 2013 North-South All Star game.
 
Jones on Chestnut: Marci is a hardworking and powerful player who will join the team as a walk-on. I am looking forward to what she will bring to the team."
 
Finnie (5-9 middle hitter/outside hitter/Atlanta, Ga./Mount Zion HS) played four years at Mount Zion and was the team captain as a senior. She helped the her team – also the Bulldogs – to the 2013 Clayton County Volleyball Championship, snapping Jonesboro High School's 13-year championship win streak.
 
Jones on Finnie: "Ashante has good ball control and is a good passer. She will come in and immediately compete for time on the court."
 
Ockleberry (5-8 libero/Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood International Charter School/George Washington University) comes to SC State after playing one season at George Washington University. During her time at Riverwood HS, she was named Most Valuable Player in 2009 and 2012, Most Improved Player in 2011, and led the team in kills and digs her junior and senior years. In 2011, she was an All-Area Second Team pick by Northside Neighbor Newspaper.
 
Jones on Ockleberry: "Tyler is a very experienced player who has played her entire career at a high level. She will do a great job for us in the fall."
 
Rushin (5-8 setter/Douglasville, Ga./Douglas County HS) was the team MVP at Douglas County HS her last three years and earned several other accolades during her playing career. She was named to the All-County First Team as a senior and to the All-Area AAAA Team as a sophomore. Additionally, as a junior, she was named to the AAAAAA All-Area Honorable Mention Team.
 
Jones on Rushin: "Victoria is a great setter who adds another dimension to the game by being left-handed. I expect her to work hard to earn a spot in the starting rotation."
 
Kiana Stone (6-0 middle hitter/Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS) and her twin sister Kiara come to SC State from Stephenson HS in Stone Mountain, Ga. Kiana assisted in revitalizing the program at Stephenson, helping the Jaguars to an 18-3 overall record and a 15-2 regional record in 2013.
 
Jones on Kiana Stone: "Kiana will have a major impact on the volleyball program. She is extremely athletic with lots of power."
 
Kiara Stone (6-0 outside hitter/Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS) was named the Neighbor Athlete of the Week by NeighborhoodNewpapers.com for the week of September 25, 2013 and earned other honors during her two-year career at Stephenson. During the 2013 season, she ranked third in Dekalb County in total aces and aces per match.
 
Jones on Kiara Stone: "Kiara is an explosive outside hitter who has a lot of potential."