Incoming University of Florida freshmen Laruen Bledsoe (Long Beach, Calif.) and Callie Rivers (Winter Park, Fla.) were both honored as among the top 50 players in the nation in Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 list in the latest issue of the publication.

The honor for both Bledsoe and Rivers is just the most recent accolade bestowed on the athletes. Bledsoe was a Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine First-Team All-American in 2006, while Rivers was a second team selection and both were named as PrepVolleyball.com All-Americans this season.

Only four other schools across the country had more athletes on the Fab 50 list than the Gators, but Bledsoe and Rivers represent the only scholarship athletes in Florida’s recruiting class this year.

A 6-2 middle blocker/opposite hitter, Bledsoe helped lead Mira Costa High School to its third consecutive California state title in 2006 and a No. 1 high school national ranking. She earned all-state tournament honors this season as well as being named to the all-state team as voted on by coaches. Bledsoe was ranked as the No. 26 player in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com and has extensive playing experience for the highly regarded TCA Volleyball club team that captured the 2006 USA Junior Olympics title.

Rivers, a 6-1 outside hitter, capped her career with 410 kills, 262 digs, 55 blocks and 55 aces in guiding Winter Park High School to its third consecutive Florida Class 6A state championship in 2006. Ranked as the No. 13 player in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, Rivers was named the Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Player of the Year for the third time this season.

The Gators will return to action during the spring season on Saturday, March 24 at the Lemerand Center. Florida will host Central Florida, the College of Charleston and the University of Tampa beginning at 10 a.m.