CHICAGO, Ill. - The women's volleyball team has announced its 2017 recruiting class. This season's class features nine incoming student-athletes, making it the largest group of recruits in Head Coach Katie Reifert's four-year tenure.
"With 9 signees in our 2017 recruiting class, we will be adding depth to every single position this fall," said Reifert, whose team is coming off of its first-ever USCAA Championships appearance. "I am confident that this group will bring new energy and competitiveness to our practice gym that will elevate our game to a new level."
"I have enjoyed getting to know each of these young women and their families throughout the recruitment process," she added. "Not only are they all high-achieving volleyball players and students, but they are quality people that I am excited to welcome into the Illinois Tech volleyball family."
Below is a profile on each incoming student-athlete.
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Sinjin Acuna |
Position: Defensive Specialist Year: Freshman Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska High School: Chugiak Club Team: Midnight Sun Volleyball Club Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering Accolades: Duchossois Leadership Scholar (one of two freshmen at Illinois Tech), All-Region Honorable Mention at OH (2014) and Libero (2015), Dimond-Service Tournament First Team (2015), Junior/Senior year Captain |
|
Justine Bracco |
Position: Middle Hitter Year: Freshman Hometown: Wolcott, Conn. High School: Wolcott Club Team: Husky Volleyball Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering Accolades: All Iron Division Player, MVP and Captian at Wolcott |
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Kayla Frazier |
Position: Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter Year: Freshman Hometown: Suwanee, Ga. High School: Peachtree Ridge Club Team: Metro Atlanta Intended Major: Psychology Accolades: Won MVP and Team Spirit Award at Peachtree Ridge, Captian of Freshman team, four-year Honor Roll |
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Natalie Freund |
Position: Setter Year: Freshman Hometown: Palatine, Ill. High School: Fremd Intended Major: Computer Science Accolades: Two-Time Daily Herald All-Area, Two-Time All-Conference, Two-Time Team MVP, Captain |
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Lydia Goebel |
Position: Outside Hitter Year: Freshman Hometown: Henderson, Nev. High School: Silverado Club Team: Nevad Juniors Intended Major: Biology Accolades: Advanced to state, highest serve percentage on team (94%) |
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Sara Hassell |
Position: Middle Hitter Year: Freshman Hometown: Columbus, Ohio High School: Upper Arlington Club Team: Mintonette Sports Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering Accolades: Scholar-Athlete Award, team reached the Elite 8 in 2014 and placed 3rd in state in 2015, 2014 & 2015 AVCA Phenom List, 2016 & 2017 USAV Nationals |
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Caitlyn Kenneally |
Position: Setter/Right Side Year: Freshman Hometown: Verona, N.J. High School: Verona Club Team: Sideout Sports Volleyball Club Intended Major: Architecture Accolades: Two-Year Captain, multiple club tournament wins, high school team won conference, division, and section |
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Claire Pantell |
Position: Defensive Specialist Year: Freshman Hometown: New Orleans, La. High School: Benjamin Franklin Club Team: Louisiana Volleyball Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering Accolades: Varsity player since 8th grade, captain and MVP freshman year, reached quarterfinals sophomore and junior year |
|
Leah van der Sanden |
Position: Right Side Year: Freshman Hometown: Aurora, Colo. High School: Cherokee Trail Club Team: Rocky Select Intended Major: Architecture Accolades: Starter for 2015 state champions, Club team finished first place, 2016 Most Improved Player for Cherokee Trail |
The Scarlet Hawks announced the 2017 schedule on Monday. Tech opens up the season on Saturday, September 2 at the Oglethorpe University Tournament in Atlanta, Ga. The home schedule begins on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. against Concordia University Chicago. Live audio, video and stats will be available for all home matches, with live audio powered by Illinois Media School.