By Jocelyn VerVelde, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The 2015 signing class for the Tennessee Tech volleyball program recently earned High Honorable Mention for strength of the recruiting class by PrepVolleyball.com.
In the High Honorable Mention category the Golden Eagles were joined by the likes of Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina State, Washington, Wake Forest, Marquette, and in-state foe Tennessee.
"The rankings are based on the projection of what the class will accomplish during their career," head coach Dave Zelenock said. "I've said all along that our 2014 class would get TTU back to the OVC Tournament, but the 2015 class is the one who's going to help us win it. Having two ranked recruiting classes in a row is how you start to build a winning program. The fact that people are starting to recognize Tech as a program on the way up is great, but it also adds higher expectations. Everyone in our program expects us to continue to grow and compete for an OVC title in the near future. We still are a very young group this year, but with more attention being paid to us, we know there will be a target on our backs. We only have one senior this year, so with all this young talent on the court, we know the future is bright for TTU volleyball."
During the early signing period, the Golden Eagles signed Shealene Little, Shaneice James, and Kristen Brugere. Little, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Culver, Ore., recorded over 2,000 kills in her high school career while also earning multiple high school All-American awards.
James, a 6-foot middle blocker from Cleveland, Ohio, brings in individual success as she leaves Beachwood High as the record-holder for blocks in a career (274), most digs in a match (20), most digs in a career (320), most serving aces in a match (8) and most serving aces in a career (64).
Brugere, a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist from St. Charles, Mo., brings a defensive consistency to the Golden Eagle program, as she has been suiting up in the libero jersey for Francis Howell for all four years of her prep career, and was a two-year letter winner. In her junior and senior seasons she was named First Team All-District and First Team All-Conference in her senior season and Second Team All-Conference in her junior season. She finished her career with 837 digs and 60 service aces. Off the court, Brugere earned two All-Academic Team awards.
In the spring signing period, Tech added three more to the roster. They add depth in the middle blocker, setter, and defensive specialist positions in Sydney Lemon, Susie Jeziorowski, and Jessica Oliver.
Lemon, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, hails form Indian Wells, Calif. She placed third last season at the Junior Nationals tournament with Mavericks Volleyball Club. This season, with TStreet Volleyball Club, she earned a silver medal at the LA Qualifier, and will get the opportunity to compete at Junior Nationals again.
Jeziorowski, a 5-foot-9 setter from Green Lake, Wis., brings a successful high school career both on and off the court. A four-year High Honor Roll honoree, Jeziorowski also racked up three Fox Valley Conference championships between 2012 and 2014. In her three years on varsity, she logged a 91-18 record, playing three different positions; outside, right side, and setter. In her senior season, Jeziorowski was named a team captain, earning Most Valuable Player following the season, as well as the Hardest Worker, Best Attitude, and Team Leader awards.
Oliver, a local product from Murfreesboro, Tenn., played defensive specialist and setter for Blackman High. Oliver led the Blaze in assists in 2012, 2013, and 2014. She finished her career with 1,097 assists. In 2013 and 2014, Oliver was named All-District, and in 2014 she earned All-Region. She also was the Blackman High All Sport Award MVP in 2014. Oliver also has made a name for herself in the classroom, earning Honors Awards in Biology, English, and Spanish, as well as serving as Girls' State Delegate.
Zelenock also credited his assistant coaches with helping to bring in this group of recruits.
"Coach [Cassandra] Joyner and Coach [Lola] Oladinni had a much bigger role in recruiting the 2015 class compared to the 2014 class. They are huge assets to our program, and help me and the program find the talent we have."
This group of recruits will join seven returning student-athletes, who will be looking to improve upon the 2014 season where the Golden Eagles went 9-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play, and made its first appearance in the OVC tournament and earned the programs first tournament win since 2010. The 2015 schedule will be released in the upcoming weeks.
