TicketsVolleyball Signs Four Prep Standouts
Class includes a pair of Cincinnati-area products
Contact: Shawn Sell
12/13/2004
Head Coach Reed Sunahara and the Bearcats signed four high school players to National Letters of Intent. |
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Four high school standouts, including a pair of local products, have signed National Letters of Intent to join the University of Cincinnati volleyball team for the 2005 season, head coach Reed Sunahara announced.
The local products are Jami Torok of McAuley High School and Melissa Zenz, an Ursuline Academy student-athlete. Joining the Cincinnati-area players are Jessica Elley (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert) and Lindsey Peterson (Arlington, Texas/Lamar).
?We feel that this is a good class that we have coming in,? Sunahara said. ?They will all have the opportunity to come in and compete for starting positions as freshman. These players will continue to get better through the club season and we expect them to be ready to play when they set foot on campus next year.?
Torok, a 6-0 outside hitter, has twice been named all-state, including a second team honor as a senior at McAuley High. She has also been named to the GGCL all-conference team two straight years, earning a spot on the first team in 2004. Following her senior season, Torok played in a pair of all-star showcase games. On the club level, Torok helped her team to a Junior Olympics national championship, while picking up tournament MVP honors.
?Jami is a very versatile player who could play a number of positions for us,? Sunahara stated. ?She is mainly an outside hitter and she will have a chance to fill Julie (DuPont?s) shoes.?
Zenz, at 5-8, was a libero and defensive specialist during her prep career at Ursuline Academy. An all-conference and all-city selection as a senior, Zenz helped her squad to state tournament appearances three times. In 2002, Ursuline won the state championship and was ranked No. 14 nationally. Zenz?s teams also earned two runner-up finishes at state, while her club squad won a gold medal at nationals.
?Melissa will contend for time as both a libero and defensive specialist,? Sunahara said. ?She brings excellent defensive and passing skills to the table for us.?
Elley was a two sport star at Gilbert High, excelling in both volleyball and soccer. On the court, Elley was a three-time all-region selection and was the Scottsdale Tribune Player of the Year this fall. During her junior season, Elley helped her team to a state championship. On the soccer field, Elley was an all-state honorable mention as a freshman and was a two-time all-area selection.
?Jessica is another versatile player, whose height (6-2), we desperately need,? Sunahara said. ?We expect her to compete for a job in the middle, but she can also play on the outside if we need her to.?
Peterson is one of Prepvolleyball.com?s Top 100 senior aces for this year. At Lamar High, Peterson, a 6-0 outside hitter, was a first team all-state selection as a junior and was twice named all-district. The Fort Worth Star Telegram named Peterson to its all-area team in 2003 and tabbed her the Newcomer of the Year in 2002.
?Lindsey comes to us from a good club program where she has had alot of success,? Sunahara said. ?She will bring a winning attitude with her and should step right into the battle for Julie?s position.?
The Bearcats finished the 2004 season with a 22-11 record and were tied for second in Conference USA. UC will compete next year in its first campaign as a member of the BIG EAST Conference.
UC's 2004 Class of Signees Jessica Elley Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert 6-2 ? MB High School: A three-time all-region selection at Gilbert High ... named the Scottsdale Tribune Player of the Year as a senior ... selected for the Phoenix Republic all-area team during senior season ... twice named to the Tribune all-area team ... helped Gilbert to a state championship as a junior ...also earned four letters in soccer ... twice named to the all-area team and was an all-state honorable mention as a freshman.
Lindsey Peterson Arlington, Texas/Lamar 6-0 ? OH High School: Ranked #98 nationally among the senior aces top 100 recruits by Prepvolleyball.com ... a first team all-state selection as a junior at Lamar High ... twice named to the first team all-district squad, while also earning first team all-area recognition from the Fort Worth Star Telegram in 2003 ... tabbed as Newcomer of the Year by the Star Telegraph in 2002.
Jami Torok Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley 6-0 ? OH High School: A two-time all-state selection at McAuley High, including a second team choice in 2004 ... was a first team all-conference pick as a senior and a second team selection during junior year ... twice named all-city ... played in two senior all-star games ... helped club team win the Junior Olympics national championship, while picking up tournament MVP honors.
Melissa Zenz Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy 5-8 ? L/DS High School: An all-conference and all-city selection at Ursuline Academy ... helped team to three state tournament appearances, including a state championship in 2002 and a No. 14 nationally ranking ... team was runner-up in 2001 and 2003 ... team captain as a senior ... earned all-tournament team honors at the national club tournament, playing for the Cincinnati Classics Red ... served as captain of club team that won gold medal at nationals.