VILLANOVA, Pa. - Today, the Villanova Volleyball program announces the signing of two new student-athletes for the 2018 season. A right side hitter from Keller, Texas, Sanaa Barnes and an outside hitter from Downers Grove, Illinois, Clare Delaplane have signed their National Letter of Intent to join the Wildcats next season.

Barnes, the 5'9 lefty right side hitter from Byron Nelson High School, had a very successful high school career as a two sport athlete in Volleyball and Track and Field. As a volleyball player, she was an All-District honorable mention her freshman year, but found herself on the All-District team every year prior to that, along with two AVCA Phenom recognitions. She was also voted the Most Improved Hitter her freshman year in 2014. As for Club Volleyball, she played for MADFROG National. Barnes will be a dual-sport athlete at Villanova as well, also competing on the Track and Field team. She holds the record for high jump, long jump, 4x1 and 4x2 at her school to go along with multiple All-State, All-District and State Championship awards. She is also a USA Track and Field member and competed in the Pan-Am games. She said she chose Villanova for "the environment and the people I will be around. I enjoyed the team as well as the coaches and it allows me to get a fresh start in a place away from home."

Villanova Head Coach Josh Steinbach stated, "Sanaa will be the most dynamic athlete that we have brought into our program in a long time. She has great leaping ability and a good arm. She has the ability to be an elite attacker at the college level and is coming from one of the most competitive areas in the country at the high school and club levels." He also mentioned, "She's a good high jumper, having competed for USA Track and winning a Texas high jump State Championship. We are excited to have her compete with our Track and Field program as well."

Delaplane is a 6'0 outside hitter from Downers Grove North High School. She is a decorated high school volleyball player, earning awards of the likes of All-Conference, All-Area, News Gazette First-Team All-State and multiple All-Tournament Team awards throughout her career. Her team also won the 2017 West Suburban Silver Conference Championship this past season and Delaplane was able to tally over 1,000 kills throughout her four years of Varsity play. As for club volleyball, she played for 1^st Alliance Volleyball Club for five years earning the nomination of AAU All-American in 2016 at the National Championships. Clare chose Villanova because "it was the perfect balance between rigorous academics and competitive athletics." She said, "After spending time on campus, it felt like home."

Coach Steinbach said, "Clare is a well-rounded volleyball player. She can attack and pass at a very high level and has played for a competitive high school and club program, competing against some of the best players in the country. She is also an outstanding student and will be a great fit here at Villanova."

Both Barnes and Delaplane were honorable mentions to the prepvolleyball senior aces' list, which are the top 100 senior high school players in the country. Academically, Barnes major is undecided and Delaplane will be pursuing a degree in business starting next fall.