University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Toby Rens Signs Three During the Early Signing Period
12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 1, 2010
PITTSBURGH—After leading the Panthers to their third consecutive postseason appearance, Pitt Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Toby Rens has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, during the early signing period. Lindsey Zitzke, Mechael Guess and Jessica Wynn will join the Panthers program next fall. The trio brings a wealth of postseason experience including conference, district, regional and state championships along with AAU National Championship experience.
Lindsey Zitzke (Dublin Coffman/Dublin, Ohio) is a 5-11 setter, who was named a First Team All-Ohio selection and Prepvolleyball.com Senior Ace honoree. She helped lead Dublin Coffman to back-to-back Ohio State Championship game appearances and a No. 20 national ranking by maxpreps.com during her senior campaign. As a junior, Zitzke was ranked sixth in the country and first in Ohio for assists per set (11.2).
Zitzke’s accomplishments include:
• 2010 First Team All-Ohio
• Four-straight conference and district championships
• Two consecutive regional champions and two-time state runner-up
• Suburban Publications 2010 Fall Athlete of the Year
• OCC- Central Division 2010 Player of the Year
• AVCA Under Armour Girls’ High School All-America Watch List Member
• One of only two student-athletes to win 100 or more varsity contests at Dublin Coffman
• Earned First Team All-Conference honors four times, All-District honors on three occasions and is a two-time All-State selection.
Zitzke has an incredible amount of postseason experience but it’s her intangibles that have Coach Rens excited about her commitment to the Blue and Gold.
“Lindsey is a welcome addition to our Pitt volleyball family,” Rens said. “She’s one of the most diligent players in her position in the 2011 recruiting class. Her desire to hone her skills and perfect her setting is very unique. Lindsey’s drive and passion for the game when coupled with a great level of athleticism is an outstanding foundation for her to be highly successful throughout her career in a Pitt jersey.”
Zitzke played for the Columbus Volleyball Academy club team under the guidance of former Division I assistants Gwen Zechman and Zach Colston. Her 17-Open team finished 22nd at last year’s USAV National Tournament in Reno, Nevada and were winners of the 2010 Mid East Qualifier (Club Division) in Indianapolis. With Zitzke as the starting setter, her CVA team has qualified for USAV Nationals four times.
“Lindsey will add a great deal of poise, intensity and game savvy to this program,” Rens added. “She has the opportunity to become one of the most accomplished setters to ever play at Pitt.”
Zitzke has earned seven varsity letters during her four years at Dublin Coffman - four in volleyball and three in basketball. As a starting forward on the basketball team, she won three conference titles and was recognized twice as an all-conference performer. A member of the Honor Roll and National Honor Society, Zitzke chose Pitt over Cincinnati, Miami (FL) and Boston College.
Mechael Guess (DuPont Manual/Louisville, Ky.) is a 5-11 outside hitter, who has great postseason experience. Guess’ volleyball career began at Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy (KIVA), one of the country’s strongest club programs. Her KIVA 17-Red AAU team played in the 2010 National Championship (Open Division) game this past June in Orlando, Florida. Her 16-Red team placed third at the AAU Championship where she earned all-tournament accolades. The same 16-Red team was the runner up at the 2009 JVDA National Championship held in her hometown.
Guess’ other accomplishments include:
• 2010 All-District Team selection
• Three-time KHSAA District Champion in volleyball and basketball
• JVDA 2010 AAU National Championship Runner-Up
• 2009 AAU National Championships All-Tournament Team
• Three-time Jefferson County Public School Tournament Champion
A three-year varsity letter winner at DuPont Manual, Guess has experience at all three front row positions and can play all six rotations as an attacker, defender and passer. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) included her on the Under Armour Girls’ High School All-America Watch List at the start of the 2010 prep season and recently selected her as a 2010 AVCA Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention recipient. She is also a preseason basketball all-state honoree.
“Mechael is a truly driven student-athlete that will improve with each learning opportunity,” Rens said. “She has a huge upside and I look for her to make great strides as she continues to prepare for this level. She is a long, lean athlete who has the skill to play at a high level because of her athletic aptitude. Mechael will bring a fierce competitive edge into our gym. She is a leader by example and a tone setter on the court.
“When an athlete like Mechael has been such a successful multi-sport athlete during her high school career focuses solely on a single sport, the resulting improvement can be quite impressive,” Rens noted. “Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for life is contagious. Pitt will benefit greatly as she becomes an outstanding ambassador for the program.”
Aside from her successes on the court, Guess also is an active participant in her school's theater department. During the recruiting process, she also considered: Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Iowa, Western Kentucky, Memphis, Marshall and Miami (OH).
Jessica Wynn (Cardinal Gibbons/Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) was recently named the 2010 Florida High School Class 4A Player of the Year and a finalist for the state’s Miss Volleyball Award. The Cardinal Gibbons MVP also served as her team’s captain. The 6’2” outside hitter was named a 2010 AVCA Under Armour Girls’ High School All-America Honorable Mention member. During her senior season, she led her team in kills, aces and digs en route to a Florida Class 4A State Championship last month.
Wynn’s accomplishments include:
• 2010 Florida 4A Player of the Year
• Prepvolleyball.com Senior Ace Selection
• AVCA Under Armour Girls’ High School All-American (Honorable Mention)
• Three-time First Team All-County selection.
• Three-time All-State honoree.
• 2008 Prepvolleyball.com Top Sophomore awardee.
Wynn also has outstanding experience with her Tribe Volleyball Club team where her 17-Plantinum team finished ninth at the 2010 Colorado Crossroads USAV National Qualifier in Denver, Colo. and eventually qualified for the 2010 USAV National Tournament in Reno with a strong showing at their regional.
“Jess is a great student-athlete who is receiving instruction at one of the Nation’s top club programs,” Rens noted. “I expect her to be very successful here at Pitt. She’s a very driven young woman as a player and person.
“Jess has had great experience at both the high school and club levels,” Rens added. “She played an integral role in her prep team's constant improvement to a league championship this past season. Her desire to get better and perform at the highest level of collegiate volleyball will drive her to develop during this coming club season. We look forward to working with her and seeing her continued development as a player and person. I’m certain she will make the most of her opportunity to impact this program.”
In 2008, Wynn was named one of the top sophomores in the country by prepvolleyball.com according to their Sophomore 79 list. The list only included the Top 79 players nationwide.
