DALLAS (SMU) -- The SMU Volleyball team has signed three high school standouts to National Letters of Intent, SMU Head Coach Lisa Seifert announced Nov. 19.

Stephanie Bennett, Jessica Mihm and Ashley Zener will all join the SMU squad as freshmen in 2002.

Bennett, a Houston native, is a 6-2 middle blocker and will provide SMU with more talent at the net. With the graduation of All-WAC player Janna Newsom, Bennett will have a chance to contribute early. She is a senior at St. Agnes Academy, where she led her team to the state finals as a junior en route to All-Texas accolades and Region and Team MVP honors. She also plays club volleyball for the Texas Tornadoes, who placed 10th at nationals. "Stephanie is a middle blocker with a ton of potential," said Seifert. "She is smart and will be very dynamic. Blocking is her best skill, and with a little more training her athletic ability will allow her to make an impact next season."

Mihm, sister of budding NBA star and former Texas All-American Chris Mihm, signs as a 5-9 setter from Austin. She attends Westlake High School and plays club for Austin Juniors. One of the top setters in Texas, her high school team is still alive in the state tournament and her club team finished 5th at nationals in the 18-Open Division in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is a former club teammate of current Mustang Jacky Niederstadt.

"Jessi may be the most decorated high school/club setter we have ever signed," Seifert said. "She was named a pre-season high school All-American and we look for her to be listed as a 'Fab 50' recruit once the club season begins. She has tremendous athletic ability and is incredibly competitive. She will compete with Jackie Erazmus for the starting setting position in the fall."

Zener, from Tempe, Ariz., stands 6-2 and also plays middle. A three-year letter winner in volleyball and basketball, she is a tremendous athlete who will also try to fill the void left by the loss of Janna Newsom. She is co-captain of her high school squad at Corona del Sol, the Arizona Regional Tournament Champions and state runner-up. She has garnered All-Region and All-City accolades and is a favorite for All-State honors in 2001.

Of Zener, Seifert said, "Ashley is a middle with a lot of quality experience. She is a physical athlete who attacks behind the setter very well. She will push for playing time early in the fall as she understands and reads the game well.

In closing, Seifert added, "All three of these athletes will enable us to increase our winning percentage as a team. We were very lucky to get early commitments and sign all three during the early signing period. I think once the club season begins and progresses into the summer we will all recognize how much of an impact they will make next fall."