April 9, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Head volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys announced on Wednesday that Paloma Buckner has signed a national letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at SFA.

"We are very excited to have Paloma join us for the upcoming fall season. She will add experience and maturity to a young team," Humphreys said.

Buckner - a 5-11 setter transferring to SFA from NJCAA Division II Illinois Central College - had her school's second-highest assist total when she tallied over 1,300 assists last season for the Cougars The addition of Buckner will give the Ladyjacks a pair of setters from the State of Illinois with sophomore Whitney Schott already having a season under her belt.

She was named to both the all-region and all-national tournament teams in 2007, leading ICC to the national tournament after they finished ranked fifth nationally in the regular season's final NJCAA Division II poll. Buckner graduated with honors in the top 15 percent of her high school class and was named to both the Dean's List and the Director's List while at ICC.

"Paloma's personality will be a great fit for our program. She enjoys playing volleyball and knows how to have fun on the court. She is also extremely focused on her academics. Her desire and work ethic should make her transition to Division I happen fairly quickly."

-SFA-