Volleyball Adds Five For 2005 Season
1/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Volleyball Adds Five For 2005 Season
1/21/2005
PITTSBURGH ?
Joining the Panthers for 2005 are Allie Cherven, Monica Macellari, Jessica Moses, Stephanie Ross and Nicole Taurence. The five newcomers will replace five departing seniors that helped the team to its first at-large selection into the tournament following a second-place finish in the Big East in 2004.
"I am very excited about the 2005 recruiting class," Beerman said. "These five student-athletes are not only exceptional volleyball players and athletes, but are also tremendous students, driven competitiors, and highly self-motivated and are committed to Pitt volleyball?s continued goals of Big East Championships, Top 25 status and NCAA Tournament bids. Monica, Nicole, Allie, Stephanie and Jessica will all have the opportunity to have an immediate impact on the program this fall."
Cherven (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central), a 6-1 middle blocker, had 949 kills and 934 digs in a four-year career at Francis Howell Central High School, leading her team to four consecutive top-four finishes in the district. Also a force at the net defensively, Cherven had 333 blocks including a school-record 98 as a sophomore in 2002. She also holds the school record for kills in a season with 358 as a senior last year. A two-time first-team all-conference selection, Cherven also competed for Team St. Louis for six years, winning the regional title each season.
Macellari (Granger, Ind./S.B. Clay) joins the Panthers as a 6-0 outside hitter and a successful high-school athlete in three sports. She was the team MVP, a first-team Northern Indiana Conference selection and holds the Clay High record for kills in a career with 1,002. In addition to her accomplishments for the Clay volleyball team and for the Midwest Juniors Club team, Macellari was a four-year starter for the basketball team and was chosen as one of Indiana?s top 50 players in addition to winning a medal in shot put at the state championships in track and field. She was selected as a Wendy?s High School Heisman Trophy finalist for the state of Indiana for her academic and athletic achievements.
Moses (North Olmsted, Ohio/Lutheran West) is a 6-1 middle blocker with numerous volleyball accolades to her credit. A three-time all-state selection, Moses helped Lutheran West High to three conference and section titles, two district championships, a regional title as a senior and a runner-up finish at the Ohio state championships. Moses was the conference?s MVP for three consecutive seasons, posting 1,272 kills, 300 solo blocks and 609 digs in four years as a starter. Lutheran West had an impressive 84-14 record in Moses? four seasons and she also helped Maverick Volleyball to two Ohio Valley Region championships in her six years competing. She was also a three-time all-conference selection for her high school?s basketball team.
Ross (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) is a 5-11 outside hitter and led her high school team to three district championships and a 79-23 mark in her four years with the team. She posted career marks of 818 kills, 536 digs and 269 blocks, playing as a middle hitter in her first two seasons at Chaminade-Julienne. A two-time all-area selection, Ross was named the 2004 District Player of the Year and second-team all-state as a senior. She also competed for the Dayton Juniors club team for six years, helping the team to nationals five consecutive seasons. For the past two years, the Dayton Juniors finished fifth nationally and Ross was named an All-American each season.
Taurence (Trenton, Mich./Trenton), a 5-9 setter, is a three-time all-region, all-conference and all-league honoree. She was named Trenton High?s MVP in each of the past three seasons and was named to the News Herald Dream Team all three years as well in addition to two News Herald MVP awards in 2003 and 2004. The 2003 conference champions, Trenton won a total of 89 games in Taurence?s first three seasons as a starter. She has also competed for the Motor City Volleyball Club for three seasons and was Vice President of her high school?s National Honor Society and an all-area selection for Trenton?s basketball and swimming teams in addition to her volleyball accolades.
