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Women's Volleyball
UNI Volleyball Inks Three Early Signings
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team has signed three players to national letters of intent, head coach Bobbi Petersen announced today. Inking to play with the Panthers starting in 2009 are 5-10 outside hitter Amy Braun (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North High School), 6-1 middle blocker Shelby Kintzel (Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon High School) and 5-10 setter Molly Turk (Elgin, Ill./Burlington Central High School). "We are extremely excited about our 2009 recruiting class and the potential they have," Petersen said. "Each of them are incredible athletes, with great work ethic, a desire to compete, and a high commitment to academics, all of which are very important to our program. They also have the passion to put on that Panther jersey and represent our university with pride. All of them have had very successful high school seasons both with many individual and team honors and they are part of three of the top club teams in the country where they compete at a very high level. As a coaching staff we are looking forward to working with these three student athletes and we are absolutely thrilled to have each of them and their families become members of the UNI Panther volleyball program and family." Braun has been a three-time all-state performer at Lakeville North High School, and was named the 2008 state of Minnesota's "Miss Volleyball", as well as being selected the 2007 Minnesota volleyball player of the year as chosen by the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. A two-year team captain, she helped Lakeville North to four state tournament appearances, including a pair of runner-up finishes. She ended her career with 1,589 kills and 2,014 digs, and holds her high school's record for kills in a match with 31. She was a PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces pick in 2008 as one of the top 250 recruits in the nation, and is a member of the Minnesota One club team. Braun played high school volleyball for head coach Milan Mader. She played her club volleyball for head coach Thanh Pham.
"Amy is the `all-around' player that we look for," Petersen said. "She has the ability to be someone who contributes significantly in the front and back court. Amy has a knack for the game and the ability to understand and read at a very high level. Her success as an attacker comes from being able to see what the defense gives her and score. She is a natural leader on the court and someone who love to compete and makes those around her better. She loves to play the game and you can see it every time she steps on the court." Kintzel was a first-team all-state selection in 2007, and also earned class 3A all-state tournament honors as she led Mount Vernon to a runner-up finish. Kintzel and the Mustangs will also be participating at this year's Iowa high school volleyball state tournament this week in Cedar Rapids. Kintzel has racked up 745 kills and 266 blocks thus far in her career, and has recorded an impressive .414 hitting percentage this season. She was a two-time first-team all-conference selection, and was selected to play in the 2008 IGCA Senior All-Star Volleyball Classic. She was a PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces choice in 2008 as one of the top 250 recruits in the nation. Kintzel is a member of the Iowa Rockets club team. Kintzel played her high school volleyball for head coach Shirley Ryan. She played her club volleyball for head coaches Kyla Rodgers and Chin Nguyen. "Shelby is a physical presence at the net that we will need in our middle blocker position," Petersen said. "She has the ability to take up a lot of area on the net as a blocker. She is an aggressive attacker that all ready runs many sets and tempos well. She also has a vicious serve that will benefit our team as well. Shelby also loves to play the game and we expect her to bring a lot of energy to the court. It will be awesome to see her develop over the next few years." Turk has racked up 1,834 assists in her career at Burlington Central High School, while also getting 622 digs, 498 kills and 231 blocks. She was a unanimous All-Big Northern Conference selection in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and a two-time Player of the Year selection by the Daily Herald. She was this year's team captain, and led Burlington Central to the Illinois high school state tournament, which begins this week in Normal, Ill. She is a member of the Club Fusion volleyball club, and led her team to the JDVA nationals in 2008. Turk played high school volleyball for head coach Marv Leavitt. "Molly is a true competitor that is one of those kids that just gets it done," Petersen said. "She is a fighter and is always on the court battling. Her strengths are definitely her speed and quickness, her competitive desire and her ability to take control of the offense. She is able to run the middle well and has great consistency in set location to the pins. Besides her setting abilities she plays great defense and has a tough jump serve. We are excited about what she can bring to our offense." UNI hosts a critical pair of matches at the McLeod Center this weekend, as Missouri State comes to town on Friday night (Nov. 14), while 11th-ranked Wichita State hits town on Saturday evening (Nov. 15). Both matches start at 7 p.m. |
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