Brittany Hughes accepts scholarship at Texas Tech University
    Randy Hogan - The Monahans News, April 14, 2006

Red Raider nation has visions of glory sure to come in the near future, as Brittany Hughes signed a national letter of intent to play collegiate volleyball at Texas Tech University Wednesday Morning.

Perhaps the most heralded and dominate volleyball player to come out of West Texas, Hughes sealed the deal with Tech coach Nancy Todd and will lead a big recruiting class headed to Lubbock.

In her senior season at Monahans, Hughes led the Lady Loboes to their fourth consecutive State tournament appearance and received many of Texas' top honors.

Topping the list was her selection to the 2005 High School All-American team by PrepVolleyball.com.

"To be included on the All-American team you must have made a massive impact on your high school team," John Tawa of PrepVolleyball.com said. "Massive is subjective, but at a minimum requires that you be the best player on your team and one of the top 3 to 5 players in your state regardless of classification."

She was one of only 12 Texans included on the All-American list and the only player from Texas not attending a Class 5A school.

Her 'massive' stats include 797 kills, 151 aces, 360 digs, and 153.5 blocks in her final season at MHS.

Overall, Hughes accounted for 2,678 kills, 1,342 digs, 300 aces, and 511.5 blocks in her celebrated high school career.

In addition, she was named as the Texas Girls Coaches Association Small School Player of the Year (Class 3A, 2A, 1A).

TGCA Executive Director Sam Tipton praised Hughes for her outstanding efforts after the State Championships concluded in San Marcos.

"Brittany is one of those rare players to come along, and it has been a pleasure to watch her mature into the person she is today.  She is perhaps the most talented volleyball player in all classifications throughout Texas," he said.

TGCA also named Hughes a member of the West All-Star team as well as a First Team Class 3A All-State selection.

The Annual East-West game will be played July 12 in Fort Worth.

Hughes was also recognized by LoneStarVolleyball.com as the Small School Player of the Year, as well as an Honorable Mention Hitter on the Texas Squad.

The Texas Sportswriters Association named her as a First Team All-State selection, and she was included on the All-Tournament team at the State Volleyball Championships in San Marcos.

In addition, she received the first ever Region I-3A MVP award in Lubbock for her outstanding play at the Regional tournament.

Locally, Hughes was tabbed as the All-West Texas MVP, the All-Permian Basin MVP, and voted the District 3-3A MVP for the third consecutive season.

MHS volleyball coach Patty Dominguez presented Hughes with the Outstanding Player award at the Fall Sports Banquet, and The Monahans News was proud to announce Hughes as the 2005 Sportswoman of the Year.

Hughes made a verbal commitment to Texas Tech over a year ago, and Wednesday's signing ends the long wait Tech faithful have endured to have Texas' most sought -after volleyball player finally suit up in the Scarlet and Black. 

Keyed By Logan Summers, Junior