Plant setter commits to UAB

Posted Mar 22, 2010 by Nick Williams

Updated Mar 22, 2010 at 06:37 PM

Plant senior setter Becca Howard has committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Plant volleyball coach Leanna Taylor said.

Howard helped Plant wins its fourth consecutive state title this past season and controlled Plant’s offense with a county-leading 928 assists, including 80 in the state tournament, earning Under Armour All-America honors in the process.

Howard, who was also selected to The Tampa Tribune’s All-Hillsborough County First-Team, is the fourth senior from Plant’s nationally-ranked program to commit to a Division I school, joining Maddie Martin (Penn State), Ali McCurdy (Duke) and Leah Jordan (Princeton).

Howard has been one of the leading setters in the county over the last three years. As a sophomore, she recorded over 700 assists for Berkeley Prep en route to the Class 3A state semifinals and was later named to the all-state team. Before her junior season, Howard transferred to Plant, where she quickly made an impact to help the Panthers capture their third straight 5A title in 2008.

“I am really happy for Becca and UAB,” Taylor said. “[UAB coach] Kerry Messersmith really wanted Becca. She loved Becca’s setting style and also felt Becca’s personality was a great fit for their program. She feels Becca can guide this team into the NCAA tournament. I know playing college volleyball has been her dream and it’s great to see that Plant was able to provide her with the means to the end.”