ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Flagler College women’s volleyball head coach Taylor Mott announced the official signing of Katie Beale to attend Flagler and play on the volleyball team starting in the fall of 2006.

“Katie is an awesome person with a supportive family and is an outstanding athlete,” said Mott. “We are excited that she will be attending Flagler College and feel she will make an immediate impact in our program.”

Beale, a senior outside hitter for Martin County High School in Stuart, Fla., was selected as the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers co-Volleyball Player of the Year this past fall along with teammate Patti Leonard. She was a first-team All-Treasure Lake Conference member and was also selected to the 6-A All-State third team. Beale helped guide the Tigers to a District title in 2004 and a conference title in 2005.

Beale, a three-year varsity starter, co-captained the team for Head Coach Marty Bielicki last fall. For her career, Beale helped lead the Tigers to a 56-20 record and racked up 500 kills, 283 of which came this season. She holds the school record for kills in a match with 26, which came against West Boca in the district final. Beale has recorded 146 blocks in her career, 97 of those came in 2005. She also tallied 256 digs this year and finished her career with 335 digs.

Beale also played for the Treasure Coast Junior Volleyball Club for five seasons.