Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball completes 2006 recruiting class
04/21/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
April 21, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team has completed their 2006 recruiting class, as Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler brings in six athletes for the upcoming season.
The entire class includes five freshmen and one transfer, looking to improve on a 10-18 record and a seventh-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference from a year ago.
Erika Bartruff, a transfer from Oregon, looks to help out at the setting position for the Salukis. The 6-0 sophomore from Beaver Dam, Wis. averaged 5.12 assists and 1.13 digs in 106 games last season for the Ducks. The Beaver Dam High School product was an honorable mention all-state and first-team all-conference selection as a senior.
"Erika will add some height to the setting position," Winkeler said. "She will also bring with her a year of setting experience in the Pac Ten Conference. Her physical skill and competitive spirit, coupled with her work ethic will have an immediate impact for us this fall."
The freshman class includes Chandra Roberson, Marina Medic, Jennifer Berwanger, Maggie Lonergan and early signee Kelsie Laughlin.
Roberson, a Buffalo, N.Y. native, was a fourth-team all-state selection as a senior, earning first-team All-High and first team All-West New York Small Schools. The 5-10 freshman will add depth, along with Medic at middle blocker where the Salukis return first-team All-MVC pick Johannah Yutzy.
"Chandra is a very athletic and quick middle hitter," Winkeler said. "She makes up for her height disadvantage with her jumping ability. She has only played major club ball for a year so we are extremely excited about her potential."
Medic, a 6-0 middle blocker from North Royalton, Ohio, was named the 2005 Pioneer Conference Most Valuable Player, as well as first team all-conference and first team all-district.
"Marina is a very talented athlete that will be a natural in our system with her one-foot approach when attacking," Winkeler commented. "She is a competitor who will work hard in the weight room to get results on the court. She also brings a very good jump serve to the game."
Jennifer Berwanger will join sister Kristie on the SIU volleyball team in the fall. The 5-10 outside hitter from Lake Zurich, Ill., will be the third Saluki athlete from the Berwanger family. Oldest sister Katie was a forward on the SIU women's basketball team.
The youngest Berwanger was a two-time All-Conference North Suburban selection, as well as All-Area Lake County, named Honorary Captain of the team in 2005.
"Jennifer is from a family of Saluki athletes and knows what it will take to get on the court as a freshman," Winkeler said. "She has an outstanding jump and is very quick. She has two effective jump serves and also brings a much needed ball control to the court. She's an excellent student that will compete for a starting position in the fall."
Winkeler also brings in Lonergan and Laughlin.
Lonergan is a 5-10 setter from Antioch. The incoming freshman was named first-team all-conference, Daily Herald All Area First Team, Pioneer Press All Area First Team The North Shore First Team and All Lake County First Team tallying 697 assists and 66 service aces as a senior at Antioch High School.
Laughlin, who signed during the early period, is a 6-1 outside hitter from Cornell. She was a three-time unanimous first-team all-conference selection at Flanagan High School.
The Salukis begin the 2006 season August 25-26 at the University of Dayton Tournament.
