TicketsApril 1, 2008
CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati volleyball signees Kelsey Brandl (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North) and Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, OH/Mother of Mercy) have been named to the 2008 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 list. The magazine recognized the top 50 high school senior volleyball players in the country.
Brandl, a 6-4 middle blocker, was a four-year starter at Lakeville North High School. A three-time all-state selection, Brandl was also tabbed the Tribune Metro Player of the Year in 2007. Prepvolleyball.com has ranked Brandl during each year of her career, including a listing of No. 25 among its Senior Aces this year. Lakeville North achieved great success during Brandl's career, finishing in the top-three in the state of Minnesota each year and winning a conference championship this fall. Brandl has also been active with the USA Junior National Team and helped her club squad to a third-place finish on the national level.
Harpenau, a 6-0 outside hitter, has been a star at Mother of Mercy High in Cincinnati. She was named the National Player of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com in January of 2008 and also earned AVCA all-America honors. Harpenau led the Bobcats to a state championship in 2007, toppling conference foe Mount Notre Dame in the finals and finishing the five-game championship match with 27 kills. Harpenau's play this year earned her first team all-Ohio honors and the Girls Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet Division Player of the Year award, along with a spot on the all-conference first team. As a junior, Harpenau was also a first team All-GGCL pick and was slotted on the all-state second team. On the club level, she competed for Team Z in 2007, leading the team to a national championship of the Junior Olympics, where she was named tournament MVP.
The two will join an already talented UC squad for 2008, which returns three-time first team all-BIG EAST selection Jessie Nevitt (Kennesaw, GA/Kennesaw Mountain) at middle blocker and 2007 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, KY/St. Henry) at outside hitter.