Jan. 24, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Head coach Carrie Yerty kicked off the University of Memphis volleyball program's signing period by inking Germantown High School's Lauren Thompson. A highly-touted recruit, Thompson capped her high school career with Class 3A state tournament MVP honors after guiding the Red Devils to its seventh state championship.

Thompson, a standout at Germantown High, had a phenomenal prep career on the volleyball court in which she guided the Red Devils to Tennessee State 3A titles in 2003 and 2005. In addition to this year's state tournament MVP award, the middle blocker/outside hitter was named the 2005 Regional and district MVP. Thompson is a three-time All-state performer as well being named to the Tennessee Class 3A State Tournament team each of the last three years. She led the Red Devils to an astounding 113-17 mark over the last two seasons, including finishing its 2005 State championship run with a 61-4 record. The 5'10' senior earned the 2004 Best of Preps Volleyball Player of the Year award after tallying 716 kills, 240 block points, 304 digs and 117 aces. She followed that campaign with 923 kills, 359 digs, 280 block points and 232 aces in her senior season.

Thompson most recently became Memphis' first ever Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year. Thompson, who signed with the Tigers in November of 2005, is now one of 51 finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award, to be announced later this month. She is a finalist for her second-straight The Commercial Appeal's Female Player of the Year award.

Not only is Thompson an exceptional athlete on the volleyball court, she also showcases the same determination in the classroom, maintaining a 3.9 GPA.