Dec. 7, 2007

AUBURN - Two players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Auburn volleyball program, interim head coach Wade Benson announced Friday.

Joining the team for the 2008 season are Jyoti Ruffin of Katy, Texas, and Olympia Haney of Fairburn, Ga. Haney is the daughter of Lee Haney, winner of the Mr. Olympia competition from 1984-91.

Ruffin currently plays at James E. Taylor High School and competes on the Houston Juniors volleyball club team. The 5-11 middle blocker, whom Benson compares to graduating senior Whitney Jacob, led her team in blocks all three years. She also broke the school record for single-season kills as a sophomore with 300 and led the Houston area as a senior in kills per game with five.

Ruffin earned All-District honors as a sophomore and a senior while also picking up Spring Branch All-Tournament honors as a sophomore.

"We are very excited to have Jyoti as part of the Auburn volleyball team," said Benson. "She possesses great volleyball knowledge and her club background at Houston juniors will prepare her for the rigors of SEC competition. We see Jyoti being a strong contributor early on in her career."

Haney currently plays for Sandy Creek High School in the metro Atlanta area, as well as the A-5 volleyball club team. The 5-8 outside hitter is the all-time leader in kills and blocks at Sandy Creek while also holding the single-season kills record. Named team captain as a junior and a senior, she led her team to a state final four finish in 2006 and to the state championship game in 2007.

Haney was an All-State selection as a senior after picking up All-Area honors as a sophomore, junior and senior, and All-County honors all four years. She was also named Fayette County Co-Player of the Year after leading her team to the first of two Area Championships.

Also lettering in basketball for two years, Haney was named to the All-Area first team in 2006.

"It is great to get a local recruit from Georgia like Olympia Haney," said Benson. "She is a world-class athlete, learning how to become a world-class volleyball player. The stars are definitely bright in Olympia's future.

"She has great jumping ability and we see her playing outside hitter for us. Her experience with the A-5 volleyball club will bode her well for in preparing for SEC competition."