University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Volleyball Adds Two During Late Signing Period
5/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jackson is a 6-0 middle blocker from Durant High School in Plant City, Fla. In 2002, Jackson helped lead Durant to a state championship in her sophomore season. Jackson also helped lead Durant high school to a district championship in 2003. She currently plays club volleyball for the Tampa Bay Juniors, where she has competed for the last two years. In 2003, the Tampa Bay Juniors finished fifth in the Junior Olympic 17s Open Tournament.
Jackson has also excelled in track and field. In 2003, she finished fifth in the 400-meter run in the state. She was second runner-up in regionals in both the triple jump and the 400 in her junior season. Jackson was also a three-time state qualifier and district champion in both the triple jump and the 400-meter run.
"Dee (Jackson) is a fabulous athlete that is relatively new to the sport of volleyball," said Hebert. "She can jump with the best, touching 10-6 in recent tests. Dee has been a middle blocker in high school and club volleyball. Her position with the Golden Gophers will be determined once she begins training with us in August."
Montano is a 6-2 outside hitter from Cali, Colombia. She has played at Miami-Dade Junior College the past two years. In 2002, she led Miami-Dade to the NJCAA National Championship and was named the AVCA NJCAA National Player of the Year.
In 2003, she helped lead Miami-Dade to third in the nation with a 34-2 record. Montano was named a First-Team NJCAA AVCA All-American in 2003. She was also named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team, and received the Service Ace Award, Top Pointmaker Award and Top Gun Award in the tournament. In her two years at Miami Dade, she led the school to a 64-2 overall record. Montano also has experience playing for the Colombian National team.
"Madelaynne is perhaps the most dominating hitter to ever sign with our program," said Hebert. "At 6-2, she soars to a 10-8 jump reach. She has international experience and was a Junior College Player of the Year. Madelaynne will red-shirt the 2004 season, and compete during her final two seasons of eligibility in 2005 and 2006. She is a major blue chip recruit."
Jackson will join Jessy Jones, who signed with the Golden Gophers in the early signing period, to make up the 2004 recruiting class.
"Dee (Jackson) joins Jessy Jones as the two signees to be eligible for competition in 2004. Both are extremely athletic and continue our tradition of assembling elite athletic ability in our recruiting classes. Jones is more experienced and should adjust to college volleyball very quickly. Jackson's impact on the program will be significant as soon as she learns the game at this level."
Name Ht. Position Hometown/High School Jessy Jones 6-3 MB Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS) Dee Jackson 6-0 MB Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS) Madelaynne Montano 6-2 OH Cali, Columbia
