FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – University of Montevallo volleyball coach Katie O’Brien has announced the signing of Chandler Cooper of Saraland, Ala., to a national letter of intent during the recent early signing period.

Cooper, a 5-foot-11 middle/outside hitter, will join the Falcons as a freshman in the fall of 2013 after graduating from Saraland High School in the spring.

“We look forward to having Chandler being part of the Montevallo volleyball family,” O’Brien said. “She is athletic and jumps well. She is also a hard worker and a team player.”

Cooper received several individual awards during her high school career while helping her high school program reach new heights. Cooper also played club volleyball for the West Florida Revolution.

Cooper earned her team’s Most Valuable Player award and Offensive Player of the Year award in 2012 after serving as a team captain. Cooper helped her team capture its first ever area tournament title and led her team to its first ever appearance in the Elite Eight at the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A state tournament as a senior.

Cooper, who was a co-captain of her team as a junior, was named an All-Area selection following both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Cooper started on her varsity team as a sophomore.

Cooper, who was a Mobile Press-Register Super 12 honorable mention selection twice during her high school career, was also named the Kiwanis Club Female Athlete of the Week during her junior season. Cooper was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Cooper is the daughter of Matthew and Janel Cooper and has two sisters, Devan and Avery.

Montevallo finished the 2012 season tied for fourth in Peach Belt Conference standings.

The Falcons’ youthful roster, which featured just two seniors, closed out the year with its best stretch of the season. Montevallo won eight of its final 13 matches, including its final two regular season Peach Belt Conference matches.