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Washington University Volleyball Introduces Class of 2015
St. Louis, Mo., April 27, 2011 – Washington University in St. Louis head volleyball coach Rich Luenemann announced today that four student-athletes will join the Bears’ program as freshmen for the 2011 season.
The four players hail from four different states: Kathleen Brennan, Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Divine Savior Holy Angels) (5-10, OH); Lindsay Juriga, Yorkville, Ill. (Rosary) (5-11, S); Maddy Morris, Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks) (6-2, MH); Ella Praisner, Austin, Texas (Westlake) (5-9, MH).
“Our incoming freshman class is a talented one and I believe that they will make significant contributions to our program before they graduate,” Luenemann said. “I anticipate some will push for immediate court time as freshmen, there is no doubt that they will make us a stronger team in 2011.”
Brennan was a four-year letterwinner and a team captain for Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. The 5-10 outside hitter tallied 392 kills, 271 digs and 50 aces as a senior when she earned first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state accolades.
“Kathleen swings very well from the left side and I hope she will become a six-rotation player who is also strong in the backcourt,” Luenemann said. “She has great focus, which is strength of her game.”
Juriga finished her four years at Rosary High School ranked second in school history in assists. Additionally she helped lead her Sports Performance Illinois Elite squad to a pair of second-place finishes at the AAU Championships.
“Lindsay is a talented setter who has great set location,” Luenemann said. “At 5-foot-10 she is the tallest setter we have had at Washington University since Kara Liefer, so she will put up a strong block and attack a lot of second balls.”
Morris finished her senior campaign with 234 kills, 71 blocks and 90 digs as she helped Jenks High School win the Frontier Valley Conference and regional championships en route to a semifinal appearance in the Oklahoma 6A State Championship. She earned Frontier Valley all-conference honors in 2009 and 2010 and was a first-team all-state honoree last season.
“Maddy is an elite player who could develop into a dominating middle,” Luenemann said. “She is very aggressive both offensively and defensively, and has an intense temperament and could become a shutdown middle.”
Praisner led Westlake High School in kill percentage in 2008 and 2009, when she helped lead her team to back-to-back Texas 5A state championship appearances. She earned academic all-state and all-district honors and was named an honorable mention all-state performer following her junior season.
“Ella is an outstanding addition to our program,” Luenemann said. “ She is a premier and intense athlete who hits great angles and can play anywhere on the front row.”
Washington University finished the 2010 season with a 35-4 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals. It marked the second-straight trip to the NCAA semifinals for Washington U., which won the last of its NCAA Division III record 10 national titles in 2009.
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PERSONAL: Born 5-12-93 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Daughter of Kim and Dan Brennan. |
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HIGH SCHOOL: Played four varsity seasons and served a s team captain of the volleyball team at Rosary High School … Finished her career ranked second in school history in assists … Played club volleyball for Sports Performance Illinios Elite, helping lead the team to a pair of second-place finishes at the national AAU Championships … Wendy’s High School Heisman award winner … National Honor Society. PERSONAL: Born 4-11-93 … Majoring in English … Daughter of Alexandra and Stephen Juriga. |
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HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three varsity letters and served as the team captain for the volleyball team at Jenks High School … Helped lead Jenks to the Frontier Valley Conference championship, a regional championship and an appearance in the Oklahoma 6A state championship semifinals as a senior … Tallied 1,132 kills, 1,044 digs and 268 total blocks during her high school career … Earned Frontier Valley All-Conference honors in 2009 and 2010 and was an All-State selection in 2010 … National Honor Society. PERSONAL: Born 12-23-92 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Daughter of Carrie and Ned Morris. |
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HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letter winner and team captain of the volleyball team at Westlake High School … Led Westlake in kill percentage in 2008 and 2009 when she helped lead the team to Texas 5A state final appearances … Garnered academic All-Conference and academic All-State accolades … Named honorable mention All-State as a junior … National Honor Society. PERSONAL: Born 11-3-92 … Majoring in archaeology … Daughter of Chuck and Todd Praisner. |
Kathleen Brennan • 5-10 • OH
Lindsay Juriga • 5-11 • S
Maddy Morris • 6-2 • MH
Ella Praisner • 5-9 • MH