Utes sign volleyball and basketball recruits

Three in-state front-line prep players and a setter who is rated in the top four at her position by prepvolleyball.com, have signed national letters of intent to play for coach Beth Launiere at Utah.

All four returned signed NCAA letters to the Utes on Wednesday afternoon, the first day such documents could be signed.

The setter is Shannon Krug of Colorado Springs' Doherty High, which is 24-2 and champion of the Metro League. She's a four-year starter and twice a first-team all-stater who also plays club ball for the Colorado Juniors.

"Shannon was a highly recruited setter," said Launiere. "She has great size and has been a 5-1 setter since she was 14 years old. She runs a smooth and fast offense for the Colorado Juniors and brings a lot of experience to Utah."

Farmington's Airial Salvo led Viewmont to consecutive 5A state championships, was named tourney MVP both times and is ranked among the nation's top 10 recruits by prepvolleyball.com. Salvo's mother, Lori, played for Utah from 1978-81.<

"She is extremely gifted and comes to this program as one of the most decorated high school volleyball players in the state's history," Launiere said.

Murray 6-foot-2 middle blocker Lori Baird has led her team to three 4A state tournament berths, and she was a 2004 all-tournament pick. "Lori is a talented athlete who hasn't realized her total potential yet," Launiere said. "She has good size, is quick and has a great arm swing."

Woods Cross High's Kathryn Lovell, who broke Logan Tom's career kill mark and was named to the state's all-tournament team, also signed. "She possesses great power and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the game," Launiere said.

All three net players were on the 17-1 High Country team coached by Utah assistant coach Matt McShane.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Head coach Elaine Elliott has announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent: Morgan Warburton, Joh-Teena Filipe and Lydia Whitehead.

"As a group, this class will be the core of some great Utah teams over the course of their careers," Elliott said.

Warburton (Carbon High School) earned all-state and all-region honors in basketball, volleyball and softball during her high school career. She averaged 18.3 points, nine rebounds and seven steals per game last season. Filipe (Skyline High School) was named second-team all-state by the Deseret Morning News last season. She averaged 11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, three assists, 3.2 steals and one block per game last season. Whitehead (Mountain Crest High School) earned second-team all-state honors in last season.