University of Montana volleyball coach Jerry Wagner announced recently that five high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Grizzlies next fall.

Joining the program will be Brooke Bray from Lake Tapps, Wash.; Erika Buchanan from Shoal Lake, Manitoba; Kortney James from Sandpoint, Idaho; Megan Murphey from Bozeman; and Kayla Reno from Spanaway, Wash.

"We purposely did not recruit anyone in our 2009 class other than Mie Lindgren because we knew about this class," Wagner said. "We knew we had to improve our depth, but we also wanted to keep the talent level where it is. This group is made up of go-to kids who know how to work hard. They have the right make-up and the right mental and physical abilities, and they want to come in here and go for championships."

Bray, a 6-foot-1 athlete who played middle hitter as a prep, is currently a senior at Auburn Riverside High. She led the Ravens to a 27-8 record in 2009, with a third-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament where she earned all-tournament honors.

Bray was a four-time first-team All-South Puget Sound League (SPSL) North selection and the 2009 SPSL North MVP. She led ARHS to state tournament appearances as a freshman (ninth place at the 3A tournament), sophomore (runner-up at the 3A tournament) and senior.

"The reason I picked Montana is very simple: it just felt right," Bray said. "The minute I stepped on campus, spent some time with the coaches and met the girls, I knew immediately it was the place for me. Not to mention Montana is a great school, too."

Buchanan, a 6-2 middle blocker who was recruited by more than a dozen U.S. schools, is a senior at Shoal Lake High. She led the Sharks to a provincial championship as a sophomore and a runner-up finish as a junior (this year's tournament takes place Nov. 26-28 in Grandview, Manitoba).

This past May Buchanan added another national championship to her resume when the Brandon Storm club team won the U17 Canadian title with Buchanan as the starting middle blocker.

"I chose Montana because I really like Coach Wagner and his coaching style, and I think the coaching staff and players really get along well and respect one another," Buchanan said. "Everyone made me feel so welcome. And I think we will have a strong team in the Big Sky Conference."

"Erika is going to come in with a lot of good, solid club experience, with a background of excellent coaching from coaches that we know and trust," Wagner said. "She has had some very good experiences, like winning two club national championships."

James, a 5-10 setter, is a senior at Sandpoint High. Her oldest sister, Jennie, was a middle blocker at Idaho State. Her older sister, Kelsey, was a setter at Idaho.

James, who also has extensive experience with the Sandpoint Volleyball Club, led the Bulldogs to a four-year mark of 100-17. SHS won Class 4A state titles in 2006 and ‘08, with a runner-up finish in 2007 and a third-place finish in 2009.

James was a four-time first-team All-Inland Empire League selection and the conference's co-player of the year as a senior.

"During camps and visits to Montana, I got to know Coach Wagner and the players, and I am really looking forward to playing with them," James said. "Jerry is a great guy. I can't wait for him to be my coach."

With the graduation of current setter Taryn Wright, James will be competing for Montana's starting setter position.

Megan Murphey, a 5-3 libero, is currently a senior at Bozeman. The Hawks are coached by former Griz standout Katie (Almquist) Laslovich.

Murphey, a first-team all-state selection as a senior and second-team pick as a junior, led the Hawks to a 24-7 record in 2009. Bozeman capped its season with a runner-up finish at the Class AA state tournament two weeks ago.

"The main reason I chose Montana is the coaching staff," Murphey said. "Jerry, (assistant coach) Gina (Schmidt) and Kandice (Kelly) are all very knowledgeable and supportive. The biggest thing that allows me to love the game is to love and respect the people I am playing for."

"We know a lot about Megan," Wagner said. "Her parents allowed her to play a lot of club volleyball, and that club experience started years ago when Kandice coached her. That background gave us a real good basis for deciding to go after this young lady. We've known for a long time that Megan would be a good fit for this program."

Reno, a 5-11 outside hitter, is currently a senior at Graham-Kapowsin High. She led Graham-Kapowsin to a 31-6 record in 2009 and a sixth-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament where she earned all-tournament honors.

Reno was the Tacoma News Tribune's All-Area Player of the Year and the MVP of the SPSL South as a senior.

"I chose the University of Montana over other colleges because of the academic classes, the team chemistry, the great coaching staff, the beautiful campus and the support the community has for the University," Reno said.