Volleyball Inks Branch to NLI
MELBOURNE, Fla. (Volleyball) – Head volleyball coach Qi Wang announced Tuesday the signing of Janelle Branch, a 6-0 middle blocker
and outside hitter from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kans. to a National Letter of Intent. She will join the Panthers in fall of 2008.
Branch comes as a highly decorated player. The three year varsity member of the Washburn Rural dynasty notched 6A Kansas State Championships in 2006 and
2007 while taking third place in 2005. The Kansas Volleyball Association named her to the 2006 6A All-State second team and the 2007 6A All-State first
team. In addition she received 6A State All-Tournament Team accolades in 2006 and 2007. Locally, Branch made the All-Topeka City first team in 2006 and
2007 and was named second team in 2005. She was also a three time member of the All-Centennial League; first team in 2006 and 2007, and second team in
2005.
In the off season Branch has played for a top club team in Kansas, the Invasion, qualifying for and attending the Junior Olympic National Volleyball
Championships from 2005-07. In 2007 the Invasion finished 11th in the open division at the National Junior Olympic Championships.
In addition to her impressive volleyball career, Branch is an excellent student and National Honor Society member. She has been twice named to the State
All-Academic first team.
“Janelle is an outstanding student-athlete. I am pleased that she has decided to join our program.” said Wang. “It is a good fit for her
academically and athletically. She will be a positive addition to the team.”
Branch plans to study chemical engineering.
