Valparaiso volleyball head coach Carin Avery announced today that Emily Chittum (Horseshoe Bay, Texas/Marble Falls) has agreed to join the Crusader volleyball program as a freshman for the 2013 season. Chittum joins the previously announced five signees from the early signing period to form a six-player incoming class.

Chittum, a 5'6" setter/defensive specialist, spent the last two seasons playing as the starting setter at Marble Falls H.S., where she was named to the Academic All-District squad. She played club volleyball for the Lone Star Region, competing for the Austin Junior Volleyball Club, and was named to the Lone Star High Performance Team, playing at the USAV High Performance Championships in the summer of 2012.

Prior to moving to Texas, Chittum lived in Channahon, Ill., where she played at Providence Catholic H.S. When in Illinois, she played club at Ultimate Volleyball Club, helping lead her team to the title at the Asics Junior Nationals in Chicago, earning the squad a bid to the Junior Olympics.

"Emily is another good addition to our strong incoming class of freshmen next season," said Avery. "She is a very athletic player with good foot speed, who has the ability to play either at setter or defensive specialist."