Although it has just two members, this is a big recruiting class for Illinois State head coach Sharon Dingman, who added 6-foot-1 Marign Kate McCarthy from Colorado Springs, Colo., and 6-foot-2 Kari Staehlin from the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Ill.. The pair has signed National Letters of Intent to join the Redbirds in 2004.
McCarthy is an outside hitter who also has played middle during her high school career at Cheyenne Mountain High School. She joins junior setter Kelly Rikli to give the Redbirds a pair of players from Colorado. Staehlin was virtually unstoppable at the high school level, hitting .497 during her senior year at Andrew High School.
Redbird coach Sharon Dingman believes the pair bring more than just size to Illinois State, which will return 12 of 13 current players from the 2003 roster in 2004.
They bring exceptional athleticism that will help our program make great strides toward our goal of a Missouri Valley Conference championship, said Dingman.
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2003 ILLINOIS STATE VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES
Marign Kate McCarthy, OH, 6-1, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Cheyenne Mountain HS)
Kari Staehlin, MB, 6-2, Tinley Park, Ill. (Victor J. Andrew HS)
MARIGN KATE McCARTHY, 6-1, OH
Cheyenne Mountain H.S., Colorado Springs, Colo.
McCARTHY NOTES: Led her prep teams to back-to-back 20-win seasons (22-5 in 2003, 21-8 in 2002), with the 2003 team reaching the state finals ... area top hitters and blockers list in 2001, 2002 and 2003 ... played middle as a sophomore, then moved to outside hitter ... prep coach was Sherri Helman ... played for Colorado Juniors VBC ... plans to major in communications and wants to be a sports broadcaster ... daughter of Patrick and Shannon McCarthy, with brother Brandon, a pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization ... full name is Marign Kate McCarthy, born July 24, 1986 in Los Angeles ... first name pronounced MARE-in.
QUOTING MARIGN KATE: "When I took my unofficial visit to Illinois State, I got to meet people who cared about volleyball. (Coach) Sharon (Dingman) really takes a personal interest in her athletes. Illinois State is a campus where I felt comfortable and I really think I can fit in. I enjoyed watching the team play at Redbird Arena. Its impressive to see the community support for the team. It made me anxious to go out there and play.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON MARIGN KATE:
"Marign has great skills. I just love her versatility on offense -- she has played all three positions (left side, middle and right side) with a great deal of success. I would match her up in terms of volleyball playing skills against any athlete weve recruited in my four years at Illinois State. Its great to get a player coming from the Colorado Juniors club program. It has proven to be one of the best in the nation in recent years.
KARI STAEHLIN, 6-2, MB
Victor J. Andrew HS, Tinley Park, Ill.
STAEHLIN NOTES: Led team to 2003 regional championship averaging 3.97 kills and 1.65 blocks per game with .498 hitting percentage ... all-conference in 2002 and 2003 ... all-tournament team member twice in 2003 ... National Honor Society member ... 4-year scholar-athlete ... 3-year high honor roll ... prep coaches were Kerri Goncher in 2002 and 2003, Jackie Ripoli in 2001 ... plans to major in elementary education ... played for Celtic Force VBC ... parents are William and Lorraine Staehlin, with sister Lisa ... full name is Kari Elizabeth Staehlin, born Dec. 26, 1985 ... last name pronounced STAY-linn.
QUOTING KARI: "The team has an awesome personality and really works hard on the court. Its a group thats determined and wants to win. Sharon is a great person and I know Ill learn a lot from her. The volleyball support is awesome compared to other schools Ive seen. It is so much fun to watch a game, see the fans and all that is involved.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON KARI:
"Kari is an incredible athlete. She is quick laterally, has a great jump and hits the ball very high . She comes from a club program with great coaching and great preparation for the college game. When you look at her size and athletic ability, she is unique among recruits weve had during my time at Illinois State.
