Aug. 17, 2011

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Head coach Larry Bock announced today the names of the three freshmen who will be members of the 2011 Navy volleyball team. The trio of Alex Cassel (Sandy, Utah), J.B. Loomis (Havertown, Pa.) and Case Trimble (Orlando, Fla.) are part of Navy's 16-member squad this fall, the first for Bock as the head coach of the Mids.

Cassel, a middle blocker, garnered first-team all-state (Utah) honors in volleyball as a junior at Juan Diego Catholic High School and second-team accolades as a senior. A dual-sport athlete, she also won the state title in the high jump as a member of the school's track and field team. Cassel was a member of the High Country Volleyball Club.

"Alex is a gifted athlete with terrific speed, range and altitude," said Bock. "We knew her attacking abilities were going to be an immediate asset to this team, but her blocking has been the nicest surprise, so far. She will really be fun to watch over the next four years."

Loomis, who is a defensive specialist, graduated from The Shipley School where she was a member of the volleyball and soccer teams. As a volleyball player she was a four-time member of the All-Independent School's First Team and was twice tabbed as the Independent School's MVP. Loomis was a part of one Independent School title-winning volleyball team and won two titles as a member of the soccer team. Loomis played club volleyball with the Keystone Juniors.

"J.B. could be the steal of the century," said Bock. "She legitimately made the team as a walk-on at defensive specialist. It really was apparent from her first practice that she has great court presence, a phenomenal passing platform and an advanced volleyball IQ. J.B. is the right person at the right position at the right time and we are really fortunate to have her on our team this fall."

Trimble, a middle blocker, graduated from Lake Nona High School after previously attending Lake Highland Prep for two years. She was a part of two state-title winning volleyball teams at Lake Highland. Trimble competed on the club volleyball level with the Orlando Volleyball Academy.

"As an attacker, Case will help this team because she can challenge and overpower most blocks," said Bock. "She has the ability to be a dominant blocker herself and we can fine-tune a few things technically to allow that to happen. Case has played at high levels and has been well coached over the years, so we look for her to have a quick impact here at Navy."

This year's Navy roster also includes four starters and a total of 13 players who were part of Navy's 2010 team. Included among this contingent is 2011 team captain Holly Berger (Sr., Claremont, Calif.).

The Midshipmen will open their 2011 season by playing host to the Kristen Dickmann Invitational on August 26-27 in the Wesley A. Brown Field House. Navy's slate of matches over the two-day, round-robin tournament has the Mids facing Bowling Green (3 p.m.) and Iona (7 p.m.) on the opening day followed by matches against St. John's (3 p.m.) and Air Force (7 p.m.) on the second day. There is no admission charge for any Navy home volleyball match during the season.