University of Montana volleyball coach Jerry Wagner announced recently that Capri Richardson of Aurora, Colo., has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Grizzlies in the fall.

Richardson’s signing gives Montana a three-player incoming freshman class and completes Montana’s fall roster at 12.

Kelsey Schile, a six-foot outside hitter/setter from Apple Valley, Minn., signed a National Letter of Intent during November’s early signing period.

Kaitlyn Molloy, a 5-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Spanaway, Wash., who was accepted to the University in February and announced as a future Griz at that time, also signed a National Letter of Intent recently, formalizing her status.

Richardson, a 5-11 middle blocker, is currently a senior at Cherokee Trail High School. She played her prep volleyball for the Cougars and competes at the club level with the Denver Volleyball Club.

Richardson played only her second season of varsity at Cherokee Trail last fall, but she emerged as one of Colorado’s top blockers. She led her team with 58 solo blocks and led the state’s 63 Class 5A teams with a 1.6-blocks-per-set average.

Her average ranked second in the state among all classifications and earned her second-team All-Centennial League honors, but it was Richardson’s other attributes that first caught the eyes of the Montana coaching staff.

“What excited us about Capri were her engaging personality and the passion she plays with,” UM coach Jerry Wagner said.

“She has the same characteristics as Jaimie Thibeault in their attitudes and the way they play the game. She has the type of personality that is going to take her far, in volleyball, school and beyond.

“That was what drew us to Capri first. Then we evaluated her physical and volleyball skills after that, and she left us with little doubt that this was someone who has great potential.

“Physically she is a superior athlete. Skills-wise, she has a very good feel for blocking, and her hitting mechanics are very good. She has the attributes to become a highly efficient hitter.”

Richardson, who will be playing in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games in June, comes from a military family.

She has lived in Utah, Maryland, Japan and Colorado, and she will be the first member of her extended family to attend a traditional four-year college.

Richardson visited Missoula last month, and she was ready to sign by the end of her visit.

“It was a quick decision, but one that was well thought out,” she said. “I knew it was the right place for me by the final day of my visit.

“I was convinced Montana is the right place for me because I was welcomed by the team and coaches in a way that I have not experienced before.

“I am definitely excited and still in disbelief that I am a part of the Grizzly family.”

Chief Master Sgt. Marilyn Savage is stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado and is the single mother of Richardson and her sister Tacha. Richardson is quick to point out that none of this would have happened without a big assist from her mom.

“Without the help of my mother, I know that I would not have been given this great opportunity.”

Montana will enter the 2011 season with a youthful roster. Eight of the Grizzlies’ 12 players will be freshmen and sophomores, though second-year players Brooke Bray, Kortney James, Megan Murphey and Kayla Reno were all major contributors last fall as true freshmen.

Natalie Jones redshirted last fall and will join Molloy, Richardson and Schile in Wagner’s freshman class.

“It was important that we continue the trend we’ve established where we expect our incoming class to add immediately to our team, and this group will do that,” Wagner concluded.

“This group will add to our team not only in depth but in athleticism, passion and chemistry.”

Montana Sports Information