April 14, 2006 SYCAMORE VOLLEYBALL INKS FOUR RECRUITS FOR 2006 TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State University head volleyball coach Julie Krofcheck announced today (April 14) the signing of four recruits for the 2006 season. The Sycamores will add Kristen Kerscher (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy), Whitney Nichols (Snohomish, Wash./Shohomish H.S.), Stacey Secrest (Dugger, Ind./Union H.S.), and Jodi Stoker (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert H.S.) to the roster for next season. “We are very excited to add these four players to our incoming class,” said head coach Julie Krofcheck. “This class will add a physical stature and presence that we were missing in the past. I am looking forward to watching this group develop and take our program to new heights.” Kristen Kerscher (5-11, RS) was a four-year star at Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, Ohio. She earned first team all-city and first team all-district after her junior and senior campaigns. Kerscher set school records with 244 blocks and 234 attacks and was also a City League All-Academic selection. “Kristen brings a lot of energy and competitive drive as she is an intense player with a lot of fire,” Krofcheck said. “She is a left handed player that will fit well on the right side. She will work very hard and will do a great job for us.” Whitney Nichols (5-8, S) was named the The Herald’s 2005 All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year in Snohomish, Wash. Nichols led the Panthers to league and district titles with a 21-1 record and wrapped up the year with a school-record fourth-place finish in the Washington state tournament. She also earned all-state honors after her senior year and all-conference honors three times. During her senior season, she averaged 35 assists and 11 kills per match. “Whitney is a die-hard competitor that will add quickness and consistency to our setter position,” said Krofcheck. “We will look for her to contribute right away.” Stacey Secrest (5’9/OH-DS) had a decorated prep career during her four years at Union High School. Secrest was a two-time first team all-state selection and earned All-SWIAC conference and all-sectional honors during each of her final three seasons. She was named the Linton Daily World Most Outstanding Volleyball Player after setting season and career records for kills, digs and aces during her senior campaign. Secrest led the Lady Bulldogs to a 109-27 record during her career, including the first four volleyball sectional titles in school history. “Stacey is a great athlete that will play in a defensive capacity for us next year,” commented Krofcheck. “I am anxious to get her involved with our system because with her athleticism she will excel.” Jodi Stoker (5’11/OH) earned 2005 Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-State Second Team honors and played in the all-star classic after her fourth season of volleyball at Gilbert High School in Ames, Iowa. Stoker was a three-time all-conference and all-district selection and the Mid-Iowa Player of the Year on two occasions. She also recorded a school-record .421 career attack percentage. “Jodi adds much needed size to our outside,” said Krofcheck. “We have not had a player with her physical abilities since I have been here. She will step in and have an immediate impact.” The recruits join Kelli Whitaker (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine HS) and Stephanie Volden (McFarland, Wisc./McFarland HS) who signed with the Sycamores during the early signing period in the fall to bring the incoming 2006 class to six. “This freshman class has a great understanding of how to play the game and once we fine tune them physically I think we will see great things from this group,” said Krofcheck. “The potential for the future of this team is very exciting.” The Sycamores are currently are participating in spring workouts
and will open the fall season with the ISU Alumni Scrimmage on August
19.
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