Kaszeta's first recruiting class must replace a big senior class

SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State first-year volleyball head coach Ben Kaszeta began the task of replacing five standout seniors by signing three hitters and a setter during the fall recruiting period.

Gabrielle Olsen of Battle Creek, Mich., Julia Peterson of Howell, Mich., Janelle Nagy of Carleton, Mich., and Sydne McMullen of Britton, Mich., have signed National Letters of Intent to play volleyball at LSSU.

Olsen, a 6-1 hitter, earned All-Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference and all-area honorable mention after compiling 925 kills during three varsity seasons at Lakeview High School. She was part of the USA Volleyball High Performance Program last summer and competes for the USAV club team in Kalamazoo.

“Gabby works hard within herself every time I see her play,” Kaszeta said. “I’m excited to see what she can do with our training. Of the recruits, Gabby probably has the most potential. I think that her athleticism will help her to compete to be an impact player even as a freshman next year.”

Peterson, a 6-0 hitter with a 3.9 grade point average, totaled 147 kills, 146 digs, 39 blocks and 43 services aces, and had a .160 attack percentage during 106 sets played for Brighton High School during the 2011 season.

“Julie is a very athletic left-handed hitter,” Kaszeta said of Peterson, who is also a USAV High Performance product. “She could be an impact player right from the start. She made great strides representing Michigan in the USAV High Performance Program the last two summers. Her blocking and incredibly-reliable serve should play right into our style of play.”

McMullen, a 6-0 hitter, and Nagy, a 5-11 setter/outside hitter, are both alumni from the Huron Valley Volleyball Club in Ann Arbor. McMullen earned All-Tri County Conference First Team and All-Lenawee County Honorable Mention after totaling 337 kills, 38 blocks and 61 aces for Britton-Deerfield High School this season. Nagy helped Carleton-Airport High School win three Huron League and three Class B regional titles. In 2011, Nagy totaled 392 kills with a .386 attack percentage, and compiled 452 digs and 4.86 assists per set as her team finished 39-12-1.

“Sydne’s versatility should play well into her success,” said Kaszeta of McMullen, who switched from middle hitter to outside hitter this season. “She plays any of the front row positions. Her ability to play anywhere and ability to hit off one foot are the reasons she was highly recruited by us. Janelle comes from a very good high school volleyball program. Her high school coach (Barb Kohn) is very well-respected in the coaching community. She has taught Janelle a lot about volleyball. As a setter, I think it’s important that she be the smartest player on the court. Coach Kohn has achieved that with Janelle.”

LSSU graduated five seniors, including two starting hitters, a starting setter and the school’s all-time leader in career digs, from this year’s team, which finished 8-19 overall and 5-14 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.