The New Colossus
NSU Volleyball Adds Three Players from Si Tanka
April 19th, 2005
ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State University head volleyball coach Lisa Schriver is pleased to announce that three players from Si Tanka (Huron) University will join the Wolves next fall. Suleika Berrios, Odemaris Diaz, and Luciola Figueroa will transfer in to Northern State next fall to play volleyball.
All three transfers are upperclassmen with Diaz being a junior and Berrios and Figueroa being seniors. At Si Tanka a year ago, the Screaming Eagles went 14-16 overall and 6-7 in the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAK-10), good enough for sixth place in the league. In 2003 Si Tanka participated in the NAIA National Tournament.
Suleika Berrios is a 6’1 middle hitter, originally from Colegio Sagrada Familia High School in Corozal, Puerto Rico. A native of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, Berrios played in 63 games last season at Si Tanka and averaged 0.54 blocks per game, good enough for 26th overall in the DAK-10. Back in high school her team won their conference title in 1998 and in 1999. Berrios will look to study Physical Education at NSU. She is the daughter of Casilda Santos and Ramon Berrios.
Odemaris Diaz is a 6’0 middle and outside hitter from Colego Nuestra Senora del Bosano High School in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Last season at Si Tanka the Vega Alta native finished second in the DAK-10 in hitting percentage (.330), fifth in blocks (1.08 bpg) and seventh in kills per game (3.45 k/g). For her outstanding play she was named to the DAK-10 All-Conference Honorable Mention team for a second consecutive season. Diaz will look to finish up her degree in Physical Education. She is the daughter of Oscar Diaz and Carmen A. Panteja.
Luciola Figueroa is a 5’7 outside hitter from Saint Francis High School in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Originally from Trujillo Alto (PR), Figueroa will mark the third transfer from Si Tanka to Northern State. At Si Tanka she was a NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 2004. She also was a two-time DAK-10 All-Conference member, and was named DAK-10 Player of the Week twice. Last season she was sixth in the DAK-10 in kills per game (3.46). She averaged 3.8 digs per game, hit .261 and had 38 aces. Figueroa will study Criminal Justice at Northern State. She is the daughter of Mariane and Luis Figueroa.
Northern State volleyball will open the 2005 season on August 26th and 27th when they participate in the Hilo Tournament in Hilo, Hawaii.
April 15th, 2005
Northern State Head Volleyball Coach Lisa Schriver is proud to announce the signing of Jill Rasmussen of Sioux Falls, S.D., Blayne Olson of Rocks Springs, Wyo. and Brittany Lieser of Paynesville, Minn. These three will join Kelsey Aden (St. James, Minn.) Jill Jorgenson (Hayti, S.D.) and Ashley Newcomer (Onida, S.D.) as the newest additions to NSU Volleyball.
Rasmussen is a 5’11 middle hitter from Washington High School. There she graduated at the top of her class as she earned Student of the Year honors. On the court she excelled as well. She was named All-State and an All-Star member in 2005, All-City in 2004 and 2005, and All-Greater South Dakota Conference Honorable Mention in 2003. She also was All-Conference and All-State Academic in 2005.
Rasmussen will look to study biology as a major and Spanish as a minor at NSU. She is the daughter of Dave and Nancy Rasmussen.
Olson is a 5’8” outside hitter from Rock Springs High School in Wyoming. She played volleyball, soccer and was a gymnast at RSHS. She excelled all three sports earning All-State honors her senior year in volleyball. She earned all-conference honors as the volleyball team captain here junior and senior years after having starting her freshman and sophomore seasons. Olson also won the United States Marines Outstanding Athlete Award in 2003-04.
Olson excels in the classroom as well, holding a grade point average of 4.0. She participates in a wide variety of activities including the Colorado School of Mines Medal of Achievement in Math and Science winner in 2003-04 and was Junior Class President.
Blayne is planning on studying Biology at Northern State University. She is the daughter of Bob and Heidi Olson
Lieser is a 5’7” outside hitter from Paynesville Area High School. During her high school career Lieser was an all-conference volleyball and track athlete and honorable mention in basketball. She also was a member of the National Honor Society. She ranks in the top ten percent of her high school class and has a grade point average of 3.67.
November 18th, 2004
Northern Volleyball Inks Three Early
Northern State Volleyball Coach Lisa Schriver has announced three student athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Wolves in 2005. Kelsey Aden (St. James, Minn.) Jill Jorgenson (Hayti, S.D.) and Ashley Newcomer (Onida, S.D.) are the newest additions to the NSU volleyball team.
Northern State Volleyball Coach Lisa Schriver has announced that Kelsey Aden of St. James, Minn. has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Wolves in 2005. Aden is the first student athlete to sign with the Wolves for the 2005 season.
Aden, a team captain her senior year, was a South Central All-Conference selection her sophomore through senior years at St. James High School. There the six-footer helped the Saints win their conference championships in both the 2002 and 2004 seasons. Aden also participated in basketball and track at SJHS.
“Kelsey will bring size and offense to our team. She has a quick arm swing and the ability to play middle or right side. Kelsey comes from a strong volleyball background with extensive club experience. We are glad to have her on our squad,” comment Schriver.
Kelsey is the daughter of Ron and Diane Aden. She is planning on majoring in mathematics at Northern State.
Jill Jorgensen joins the Wolves after lettering four years at Hamlin High School. She was a team captain her junior and senior seasons. Her junior season she helped her team finish fourth in the South Dakota State Tournament. She was named first team all-state and to the all-tournament first team as well as being a first team all-conference selection. Jorgenson also participated in basketball and track in high school.
"Jill is very athletic and a strong leader with her high school team/ She is an all around athlete that will add depth to our setting and defense,” said Schriver.
Jill is the daughter of Joel and Janet Jorgenson. She is planning on majoring in elementary education and minoring in coaching at Northern State.
Ashley Newcomer joins the Wolves after a solid career at Sully Buttes High School. There she competed in the North Central Athletic Conference (NCAC) where she was named NCAC All-Conference her freshman through junior year. She helped her team reach the State Tournament her junior year, a year she earned all-area, all state and was on member of the all-tournament team. She also participated in basketball in high school.
“Ashley has good size and will help us add depth to our front row, including our blocking. She is very athletic and will adjust quickly to the speed of the game at the collegiate level,” said Schriver.
Newcomer is the niece of Brenda Stephens and is planning on majoring in accounting or business management with a minor in biology at Northern State.
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Northern State University (located in Aberdeen, SD) is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the N
orthern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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