April 26, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman Head Volleyball Coach Isaac Raphael announced the signing of four players today that will bring a distinct Caribbean flair to the Lady Wildcat program beginning this fall.

Two players hail from the U.S. Virgin Islands and the other two are from Trinidad and Tobago.

"There is some excellent volleyball being played in the islands," said Raphael, himself a native of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Island. "If you want to say I'm starting a Caribbean pipeline of talent to Daytona Beach, that's fine, but the bottom line is that all four are outstanding players who will contribute to the team and help us make a serious run for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship."

One definite with this is group is height - three of the four are 6-1 or taller.

"Height was a need we addressed with our recruiting," Raphael said. "Last year's team played with so much energy, but you can not teach height. We will have an improved presence at the net this season."

The recruits include: (height, position, high school)

* Phylecia Armstrong (6-2 OH, Trinidad and Tobago): Played for the national team at the 2011 Women's Pan-Am volleyball cup.

* Marissa Murphy (6-2 MB, Charlotte Amalie High, St. Croix, USVI): Played for the USVI national junior girls team; Led Amalie HS to 9-3 finish and league runner-up title her senior year.

* DeLicia Pierre (6-1 OH Corpus Christi Academy, Trinidad and Tobago): Led West Side Stars to Trinidad and Tobago Federation B Division title in 2011.

* Rhea Simon (5-11, OS-RS, Seventh-Day Adventist, USVI):  Also played for the USVI national junior girls team

B-CU finished 13-19 in 2011, advancing to the MEAC semifinals in Raphael's first season as head coach.