By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
Pictured, from left: Shealene Little, Shaniece James, and Kirsten Brugere.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech volleyball program added its three newest members recently as the 2015 recruits signed their national letters of intent. Head coach Dave Zelenock will be adding depth to three positions as he adds an outside hitter, a middle blocker and a defensive specialist.
"Overall this class makes us more athletic," Zelenock said of the 2015 recruits. "With the Ohio Valley Conference getting a better caliber of player each year it's turning into an arms race and we feel like this group will push us up the rankings and help us reach our goal of winning an OVC Championship and getting into the NCAA tournament."
Shealene Little
5-11 – Outside Hitter – Culver, Oregon
High School: Culver High
Shealene Little leaves Culver High as one of the most decorated players in school history. The five-foot-eleven outside hitter recorded 2,064 kills in her four years, while adding 376 aces. Little placed no lower than fifth place in the state each of her four high school season, including two third place finishes and an Oregon State Championship. She was named a MaxPreps Small School All American in 2012, and in 2013 she earned Second Team All American. She finished her prep career as a three-time First Team All-State Player and a four-time First Time State Championship All-Tournament Team member. Her high school career finished with a 103 – 7 record.
Zelenock on Little:
Shealene is a physical player who adds ball control and depth to the position. She's probably the most intense player I've been around and she will immediately raise the level in the gym, not just in her position. In system she is a point machine, but will need to learn how to score out of system in college. We expect her to challenge for court time early.
Little on why she chose TTU:
I chose TTU because of the volleyball program. I really respect and like Coach Zelenock along with Coach Joyner and Coach Lola. The team works hard and has respect for their coaches which was important to me. I also was very impressed with the off-season workout and workout facilities. I think that the TTU campus is beautiful! I am excited to live in Tennessee, I love it there. I am very excited for my new adventure at TTU.
Little on what she plans to bring to the program:
I plan on bringing good grades, passion, honesty, hard work, and great character. It is important to me to always have good values and morals in everything that I do. In everything that I do, I work hard. I will always put forth 100% in everything that I do. I do not care if I am the best at something on or off the court; I am never good enough for myself. I can always get better and improve on everything that I do.
Shaneice James
6-0 – Middle Blocker – Cleveland, Ohio
High School: Beachwood High
Shaneice James comes to Tennessee Tech with an impressive resume having set many Beachwood high school records. James completed her prep career with a school record 15 blocks in a single match and with career highs in blocks in a season (128). She also holds the record 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). She earned First Team All-Chagrin Valley Conference and Second Team All-Northeast Lakes District in her junior and senior seasons.
Zelenock on James
Shaneice brings some more height and athleticism to the position. She's already a very good blocker and we expect in our system for her to be able to score quite a bit. She's a quiet kid but very competitive. She's joining a very good blocking core, and can separate herself by being able to score with her speed and reach.
James on why she chose TTU:
I chose Tennessee Tech University because when I first visited and met the coaches and some of the team, I instantly fell in love with the school. And to top it all off they had the program that I wanted to be in.
James on what she plans to bring to the program:
I plan on bringing my positive attitude and the ability to adapt to new things and also my aggressiveness when I am on the court. Off the court, I just want to be a great student and also a teammate that anyone can come to for help.
Kirsten Brugere
5-5 – Defensive Specialist – St. Charles, Mo.
High School: Francis Howell High
Kirsten Brugere brings a defensive consistency to the Golden Eagles 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.
Zelenock on Brugere:
Kirsten is one of the more athletic liberos I've recruited. She's been playing at a very high level for the past few years so her volleyball IQ as an incoming freshman is very high. If she can adjust to the speed of serves and attacks in college she will be competing for the libero jersey very early in her career.
Brugere on why she chose TTU:
I chose TTU because I really liked the girls on the team, as well as the coaching staff, and the atmosphere of the school.
Brugere on what she plans to bring to the program:
I plan on bringing leadership and a good attitude both on and off the court. I will also work hard and have fun doing it. On the court, I will be competitive and off the court, I will strive to make great grades.
