Michigan State University Athletics
Volleyball Signs Three To National Letters Of Intent
11/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 11, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University volleyball office has announced the signing of Vanessa King (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake High School), Katie Vander Meer (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood High School) and Whitney Tremain (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood High School) to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Green and White beginning in the fall of 2006.
Listed below is information on each of the three signees:
Vanessa King - 6'0 - Middle Blocker - Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake High School Three-year letterwinner at Spring Lake High School for coach Sarah Bulthuis... Team captain 2005-06... During junior campaign, garnered First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Area, All-Region and Second Team All-State honors... In 2004-05, tallied 522 kills, hitting .333 with 61 block solos and 56 block assists... Team finished season ranked sixth in state rankings... In 2003-04, hit .420 with 337 kills, added 58 block solos and 54 block assists... Three-year letterwinner in basketball at Spring Lake... Received First Team All-Conference accolades all three years serving as team tri-captain in 2004-05... Played for Team Angle Club Team, Intensity Club Team and Game Time Club Team during prep career.
Katie Vander Meer - 5'8 - Outside Hitter - Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood High School Three-year letterwinner at East Kentwood High School for coach Roxanne Steenhuysen... Three-year Academic All-State honoree... During junior season, garnered All-Conference, All-District, First Team All-Area and First Team All-State accolades... Named team co-Most Valuable Performer in 2004-05... Three-year letterwinner in soccer at East Kentwood... Two-year letterwinner in basketball... Competed for the Far Out 16's Club Team in 2002-03 leading team to an AAU State Championship and a third place finish at the ASIC's Jr. National Tournament in Chicago... In 2003-04, competed for the Far Out 17 Elite Volleyball Club Team as the team's primary setter... Squad finished third at the ASIC's Junior National Volleyball Tournament in Chicago... Competed for the Far Out Volleyball Club U17 National Team, placed second in the Gold-Club Division at the Midwest Qualifier receiving a bid to compete at the Junior USAV National Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah... Team finished second in the Gold Division at the USAV National's.... Named to the USAV National's All-Tournament Team at the setter position... Squad also claimed first place in the Gold-17 Open at the Lakeshore Region Qualifier.
Whitney Tremain - 5'11 - Outside Hitter/Right Side - Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood High School Enters second year on the varsity squad for coach Roxanne Steenhuysen... Named one of the nation's Top 100 Volleyball Players by Prep Volleyball for 2005 recruits... Garnered All-Area accolades during junior season... Named Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2004-05... All-Conference track performer during freshman, sophomore and junior season's... Three-year All-State honoree in track... Two-year All-State competitor... Nationally-ranked in the high school track and field rankings.
Head Coach Cathy George Quotes:
On the trio: "Our entire coaching staff made a commitment to look at student-athletes throughout the state of Michigan. Our goal was to find the very best student-athletes to represent Michigan State University and we feel we have definitely done that with these three signees. All three bring athleticism, energy, a competitive spirit and will all prove to have a major impact on our program. Each of these girls has the type of ability we are looking for at MSU to continue to improve and compete in the NCAA tournament each season. The incoming class shares the common thread - the drive, the want to achieve greatness - and we believe that is the cornerstone to our program. We strive to develop team chemistry and a strong work-ethic, each of these girls will bring that to our lockerroom."
On Vanessa King: "Vanessa will have an immediate impact at the net for us defensively. She is a solid blocker, with a quick arm swing, that will lend itself to our middle attack very well next fall. Vanessa is an athlete with great aspirations and will contribute significantly for our team in 2006."
On Katie Vander Meer "Katie has played volleyball the majority of her life and is a natural athlete who is very well versed in the game. Very competitive in every sport she plays, she has unbelievable control and jumping ability that will make an immediate impact for us. She is an action setter, who can get to the ball, make things happen and really balance the offensive attack."
On Whitney Tremain "Whitney is a tremendous athlete who can jump well over 10 feet. Although she is still finding herself within the game, she is extremely athletic, quick and very strong. She has made an immediate impact in the volleyball world being named to the Top 100 by Prep Volleyball after just one year of varsity competition and one year competing at a high club level. We are very excited about the strengths she will bring to our program."
