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Melissa Townsend

Class: Senior Hometown: Topeka, Kan. High School: Shawnee Heights

Height: 5-2 Position: Defensive Specialist/Libero Birthdate: 01/13/1989 Experience: 1L

2008 Outlook
Enthusiastic and energetic player ... Reads the game well ... Will serve an expanded role adding depth to the libero and defensive specialist positions.

2007: Freshman Season
Played in 42 games over 18 matches as a defensive specialist in her first year as a Jayhawk ... Averaged 0.36 dpg and had five multi-dig performances ... Recorded her first career service ace versus Wyoming on Sept. 7 and appeared in all five games ... Saw action in all four games at Oklahoma on Sept. 15 ... Was perfect in service reception in KU's victory at Missouri on Sept. 19 and added a pair of digs ... Tallied a career-best four digs at Colorado on Nov. 10 and set her first career assist.

High School
Graduated from Shawnee Heights and was coached by Kerry Kapfer ... A first team all-state selection (2006) and two-time first team all-city and all-centennial league honoree (2005-06) ... Helped the Thunderbirds to a second place finish at state in 2006 ... Also league champions in 2006 ... Sub-state champs in 2004, 2005 and 2006 ... Led her team in digs (350) and highest ace percentage (0.12) as a senior ... Is second in the Shawnee Heights single-season record books with a service reception of 2.45 in 2006 ... Played under coaches Lindsey Douglas and mother, Ellen Townsend, for the Topeka Juniors club volleyball team.

Personal
Born Jan. 13, 1989 ... Parents are Kent and Ellen Townsend ... Has a sister, Leslie, and two brothers, Steven and Luke ... A sports management major ... Sister, Leslie, plays volleyball for in-state rival Kansas State ... Grandmother, Joyce Herschell, played volleyball and softball for KU.