The Daily Recruiting Word

In today's word, the nation's top volleyball prospect, Utah's Kristin Richards, reveals and talks about her college decision. Also a veritable potpurri of football, basketball and baseball commitments.

HEADLINE STORY:
 The nation's top volleyball recruit has made her decision. Kristin Richards, a 6-1 outside hitter, committed Wednesday morning to Stanford. Richards, who plays club for Players and high school at Orem (Utah) Timpanogos, had also been considering USC and BYU, where her sister, Lauren, plays.
 
 "I just felt that Stanford was the best place for me," Richards said. "I felt that's where I'd be happiest; that's where I should be. I'm so happy with my decision. I can't wait to go!"
 
 Richards finally settled on Stanford ­ "the hardest decision of my life" ­ on Tuesday night and told her parents and the Stanford coaches on Wednesday. She also told Lauren the news.
 
 "She said, "'I'm sorry we don't get to play together, but you're going to be so happy there,'" Richards said.
 
 Richards is the last elite recruit in the Class of 2003 to give a commitment, but that doesn't necessarily mean that her decision to attend Stanford won't have some impact on the recruiting scene. Next year's hot outside hitter recruit, St. Francis junior Jessica Gysin, has reportedly been torn between Stanford and UCLA. With the Cardinal landing Richards and already having Ogonna Nnamani (currently a sophomore), Gysin may want to head to Westwood, where she could start immediately.
 
 Football Commitments:
 * One of the more underrated tight ends nationally, 6-5, 255 pound Josh Barbo of Conway Springs (Kan.), has committed to Missouri. Barbo chose the Tigers over Colorado State and Oklahoma State and also had offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Wyoming.
 
 The big man was both an All-State and All-League selection as a junior, averaging over 26 yards per catch. He flashed soft hands and nice athleticism at the Nike Camp in Colorado, where he ran a 4.91 in the 40, benched 19 reps and posted a 27-inch vertical jump.
 
 * Fresh off a pledge from talented Virginian Isaiah Gardner early in the week, Notre Dame continued its recent roll, receiving a commitment from Adairsville (Ga.) fullback Ashley McConnell, the ninth player in the Class of 2003 to verbally commit to the Fighting Irish.
 
 The 6-0, 240 pounder was an All-County last fall as a junior, starring at both running back and linebacker for his high school team. At the Nike Camp in Georgia, McConnell put up 29 reps on the bench, one of the best marks of the day, as well as jumping 27 inches in the vertical.
 
 * Sturdy running back Richuel Massey out of Hillsboro (Texas) has become the fifth player to commit to the SMU Mustangs, over offers from Baylor and Arkansas. Massey rushed for over 1,700 yards as a junior and is a very talented physcial specimen, with 4.4 speed in the 40 and a 350 pound bench press.
 
 Boys Basketball Commitments:
 * Darryl (D.J.) Strawberry Jr. , the son of former major league baseball all-star Darryl Strawberry, has committed to play basketball at Maryland. The 6-4, 175 pound guard, who averaged 11 points per game as a junior at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, chose the Terps over Kansas, USC and Cal.
 
 * Another SoCal guard has made up his mind, as 5-10, 165 pound Shaun Davis out of San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln will sign with the Pepperdine Waves. Davis averaged 20 points per game as a junior.
 
 Baseball Commitments:
 * UC Irvine received a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei first baseman Tim Stewart.
 
 * Pitcher Scott Sistilli of Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany has committed to the Cal State Northridge Matadors.
 
 * Cal State Fullerton has landed Mission Viejo (Calif.) outfielder Clark Hardman and Lompoc (Calif.) Cabrillo pitcher Tommy Hawk.