Lady Blues ink two in late signing period

For immediate release - April 21, 2005

Washburn volleyball head coach Chris Herron announced the addition of two new players that will join the Washburn volleyball team. Stephanie Nitz from Moline High School and Bobi Riley from Lawrence High have signed volleyball letters of intent for the Lady Blues.

Nitz and Riley will join Joanna Alfers from Axtell High, Stephanie Holub from Blue Valley West, Kelli Peterson of Shawnee Mission Northwest, Carolyn Raines of Lawrence High and transfers Andi Moran from the University of Dayton and Bailey Saal from Des Moines Area Community College signed during the early period.

SPRING SIGNEES

Stephanie Nitz (Moline, Ill./Moline HS) • 6-2 • Middle Hitter — Nitz was named Quad Cities Player of the Year for Moline High with a school-record 277 kills, 68 blocks, 157 digs and 47 service aces. She was a two-time first team all-conference and all-region selection, leading Moline to three conference titles and two regional titles in her three seasons on the varsity squad. Moline won 95 matches during the last three seasons and advanced to the Class AA Elite Eight her senior season.

Herron on Nitz: "Stephanie has taken great strides in her progress as a player throughout her career and we think she will continue that at Washburn. She has the ability to play all three positions in the front row and her ball control and defenisve skills are more advanced than most players her height coming out of high school. She has the capability of making an immediate impact on this program."

Bobi Riley (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence High School) • 5-10 • Outside Hitter — Riley led the Lions to a second place finish in the Kansas 6A state tournament with a team-high 257 kills. She was named first team All-Sunflower League, first team Class 6A and second team All-Metro by the Kansas City Star. She was also named to the Class 6A state tournament team.

Herron on Riley: "Bobi She is a talented athlete that puts up a good block and has a variety of shots. She had an exceptional senior season and plays on the best club in the region. Her high school and club experience will be a great benefit to her this fall."

EARLY SIGNEES

Joanna Alfers (Axtell, Kan./Axtell High School) • 5-11 • Middle Hitter/Outside Hitter — Alfers was a first team all-league selection three seasons and an honorable mention all-state selection at Axtell. She earned Class 1A All-State honors as a junior in 2003 and was named to the Class 1A All-State tournament team in 2004.
Herron on Alfers: "Joanna is a raw talent that is very strong and hits it a ton. She will gain some very good experience in club ball this season that will get her more accustomed to the speed of the game at this level."

Stephanie Holub (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West High School) • 5-6 • Libero/Defensive Specialist — Holub was a member of the Jaguars' 6A Sub State champion teams in 2002 and 2003, leading the Eastern Kansas League in digs with 292 to earn league Defensive Specialist of the Year honors. Also had 45 aces as a junior and earned All-Sun County and honorable mention 6A All-State honors.
Herron on Holub: "Stephanie is a tenacious defender with great ball handling skills. She has great intensity and focus on the court and has a tremendous work ethic."

Andi Moran (St. Louis, Mo./University of Dayton) • 6-0 • Setter/Right Side — Moran is a transfer from the University of Dayton. She is a 2004 graduate of Mehlville High School in St. Louis, where she led the Panthers to a 30-2 record and district and conference championships as a senior. She was named first team all-conference and all-district. Was a member of Southwest Illinois Volleybal Club and was named Most Valuable Player of 18s club nationals in 2004.
Herron on Moran: "Andi provides flexibilty for us with her ability to both set and hit. She is a lefty who can provide a big block for us on the right side."

Kelli Peterson (Shawnee, Kan./Shawnee Mission Northwest High School) • 5-7 • Defensive Specialist/Libero — Peterson was a two-time All-Sun County selection and a first team All-Metro selection for the Cougars. She led Shawnee Mission Northwest in kills, digs and aces and was selected to play in the Mo-Kan All--Star game. She was a member of the all-tournament team at club nationals in 2004.
Herron on Peterson: "Kelli had good ball handling skills and has a really nice swing. Her defensive skills are outstanding and she had great club ball experience during her career."

Carolyn Raynes (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence High School) • 5-9 • Setter — Raynes was a two-time All-Sunflower League selection as a setter for the Lions and helped them to a second place finish in Class 6A in 2004. She also is a member of Lawrence's track and basketball teams.
Herron on Raynes: "Carolyn is a lefty setter that has show great improvement throughout her volleyball career. She has a lot of potential and her best volleyball is ahead of her."

Bailey Saal (Indianola, Iowa/Des Moines Area Community College) • 5-11 • Outside Hitter — Saal was a first team all-conference selection and was a member of the regional all-tournament team after leading DMACC in kills. A 2003 graduate of Indianola High School, where she was a three time all-conference selection. She was named conference Player of the year her junior and senior seasons and a two-time all-state selection.
Herron on Saal: "Bailey has a great all-around game. She has very good ball handling skills, a variety of shots and at 5-11 puts up a big block."