COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Allison May, a senior at Assumption (Ky.) High School, has signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball next season at Tennessee Tech. May is the first 2010 signee for head coach John Blair.

"We're excited to have Allison come in as a defensive specialist because of her extensive training background with one of the top high school programs in that nation and one of the top club teams in the United States," Blair said.

May will be reunited with current Golden Eagle outside hitter Leah Meffert who also attended Assumption, a school that has a knack for putting out top-notch defensive specialists, during her prep career.

May will have the grand task of stepping into the position where three-time All-OVC selection Katie Kenline made her mark over the past four years. Kenline started every match for the Golden Eagles since her freshman year in 2006 and set the record for digs in a season (755) and a career (2,432).

"Since we're graduating a four-year starting libero, it was certainly high on our priority list to go about trying to find someone to step in," Blair said. "We were looking for someone who possesses the qualities to potentially be a good libero - the work ethic, the ball control skills, the competitive fire and the court sense. [May] has it."

May was named her high school team's Most Valuable Passer as a freshman in 2006 and earned regional all-tournament team honors this season as she helped Assumption to a district championship.

During her club career, May played for KIVA and helped her team to a 2009 JVDA National Championship. Her team also finished with a bronze medal at the 2008 nationals. At the USAV Junior Nationals, May led KIVA to a third place finish in 2006 and a fifth place finish a year later in 2007, while the team took home the bronze medal at the AAU Championships both in 2006 and 2008.

"Coming in as a freshman, there will be a transition period," Blair said. "But she'll continue to play club at a high level this summer, so we're hoping that the transition is smooth and fast."

May is also an accomplished student, which should help her transition to college. She currently has a 3.98 grade point average and has been on the Principal's List for three years. May, the daughter of Tim and Julie May of Louisville, Ky., plans to major in biology/pre-med at Tennessee Tech.

May will join a Golden Eagle team that returns nine of its 12 players from this season and finished in fifth place in the OVC with a 9-9 record.