NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State volleyball program add two more pieces to its 2017 recruiting class this week when the Spartans signed a pair of all-state Virginia players. Outside hitter Taylor Eichelberger and outside hitter/setter Quiana Griffin became the fourth and fifth members of NSU's recruiting class after head coach Dave Albaugh signed a trio of players in the fall.
 
The 5-foot-11 Griffin hails from Salem High School just down the road in Virginia Beach, while the 5-10 Eichelberger will arrive at NSU after finishing her career at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke.
 
"I am very excited about these two great athletes joining our 2017 recruiting class," said Albaugh. "Taylor and Quiana bring plenty of size and strength to the team. These two will help make our gym more competitive, something I am looking to really emphasize next season."
 
Griffin led Salem to the 5A South Region semifinals in her senior year in 2016 while earning first-team all-region and second-team VHSL (Virginia High School League) All-State accolades. She earned All-Atlantic Conference first-team and all-region second-team honors her junior year in 2015, as well as second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore in 2014.
 
"Quiana is a natural athlete," added Albaugh. "She is able to play as a pin hitter as well as a setter. For the past two years, she has had the opportunity to both set and hit in her juniors program. At 5-11, she will allow us to play bigger in the front row as well. Quiana will be a great asset for us, as we will be able to use her where we need her best. It will take her a little while to adjust to the collegiate speed, but when she does, she will do very well at this level."
 
Like Griffin, Eichelberger also earned VHSL 5A All-State second-team accolades as a senior. She was named to the 5A All-North Region first team after leading Patrick Henry to the regional semifinals. She was also named the All-Conference 16 Player of the Year as a senior while garnering All-Conference 16 honors her junior and senior seasons and All-Conference 3 first-team accolades her sophomore year in 2014. After accumulating more than 2,000 kills in her career, according to television reports, Eichelberger was named to the VHSCA (Virginia High School Coaches Association) All-Star Team after her senior year.
 
"Taylor was a six-rotation outside/right side hitter and will come into the program with one of the highest jumps on the team," stated Albaugh. "Her quick arm swing will allow her to compete for a pin hitter position right away. After watching her competitiveness on the court and her physical play, I knew she would be a great fit for the program."
 
Griffin and Eichelberger join middle blocker Clara Kick and outside hitters Anna Rupertova and Jazmine Craig, all three of whom signed with the Spartans in the fall, in forming the core of this year's recruiting class.
 
NSU must replace five players off last year's team, including three of the team's top four performers in terms of total kills. The Spartans return three of their seven starters (including libero) and 10 players altogether who saw time on the court in 2016.