March 11, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern Head Coach Keylor Chan has announced that Cassie McLaughlin (Cary, Ill./Cary Grove) -- a 6-1 right-side hitter/middle blocker -- has been admitted to Northwestern as a transfer from Florida State, where she played from 2003 through 2004.

McLaughlin will enroll in classes at Northwestern this spring and compete with junior eligibility in the upcoming 2005 volleyball season.

"Cassie is a great competitor that has two years of collegiate training and playing that will help our team in the upcoming years. It's always nice to have a player of Cassie's ability decide to come and play for Northwestern," Chan said.

In 2003, McLaughlin was named the ACC's Freshman of the Year after putting together a stellar year for the `Noles. She started 32 of 33 matches, led the team with 360 kills and 44 service aces and also put together a string of nine-straight double-digit kill performances. She was also second on the team with 271 digs (2.22 per game) and a 2.95 kills per game average.

Following her sophomore year though, McLaughlin has decided to transfer to Northwestern.

"We are excited to have Cassie join our program. She has many ties with Chicago volleyball, so it's a homecoming of sorts," Chan said.

A native of nearby Cary, Ill., McLaughlin attended Cary Grove High School, where she led her team to a Super Sectional appearance in the Illinois State Tournament. She received numerous honors in high school: All-Conference, Daily Herald All-Area, Northwest Herald All-Area and Sun Times All-Area. McLauglin also earned Chicago Tribune and News-Gazette All-State honors

Coming back to the Chicago area, McLaughlin will recognize at least one familiar face on the Wildcat roster. She played club ball alongside freshman Lindsay Anderson (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) for the Sky High Volleyball Club.

McLaughlin is one of two new players Chan and the NU staff will welcome to the squad next year. Chelsy Hyser, a 6-1 middle blocker from Belvidere, Ill., will enroll at Northwestern in the fall as a freshman.