A pair of St. Louis area prep stars and one from Illinois Central College's nationally-recognized volleyball program comprise coach Sharon Dingman's 2004 recruiting class for Illinois State volleyball.
Setter Erin Lindsey from Eureka, Mo., was a USAV Junior Olympics All-American for open division squads representing Team St. Louis. Middle blocker Mary Catherine Richmond, from St. Louis, Mo., led her St. Louis CYC club volleyball team to 10th place in the 2003 national USAV Tournament and led her Lindbergh High School team to 73 wins in the past three years.The other recruit is Brazil native Manoela Vieira Da Cunha, who was an exchange student in 2001-02 at Northview High School in Brazil, Ind. before matriculating to Illinois Central College, where she has averaged 4.0 kills and 0.5 service aces per game
Dingman believes the new players give her program just what it needs for the future.
"These players have athleticism, speed, jumping ability and a high volleyball IQ," said Dingman. "We are thrilled to get two of the top players from St. Louis and Manoela is an experienced player who has had great coaching throughout her career."
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2004 ILLINOIS STATE VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES
Erin Lindsey, S, 5-7, Fr., Eureka, Mo. (Eureka HS)
Mary Catherine Richmond, MB, 5-11, Fr., St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh HS)
Manoela Vieira Da Cunha, OH/L, 5-11, Jr., Recife, Brazil (Northview HS, Brazil, Ind.)
ERIN LINDSEY, 5-7, Fr., S
Eureka HS, Eureka, Mo.
LINDSEY NOTES: Four-time all-conference and all-district volleyball player led four prep teams to combined 84-45-11 records ... three-time team MVP in volleyball ... prep coach was Becky Stevenson ... four-year basketball starter, leading teams to combined 64-19 record, two district titles and a sectional title as a freshman and sophomore ... 2004 conference basketball player of the year ... 2002 and 2004 USAV All-American club player ... led her Team St. Louis volleyball club teams to four straight USAV Junior Olympic Tournaments, finishing 5th in 2001, 2nd in 2002, 3rd in 2003 and 2004 all in the open division ... club volleyball coaches were Erik Kaseorg and Denise Silvester ... daughter of Ralph and Pat Lindsey, with brothers Jason and Derek (basketball player at Truman State) ... plans to major in physics and become an astronaut ... National Honor Society ... honor roll ... President's Award for Educational Excellence ... full name is Erin Elaine Lindsey, born Oct. 6, 1986.
QUOTING ERIN: "I love Illinois State. I knew it was where I wanted to come to school from the first moment I visited. Sharon has a great coaching style. She has a great ability to balance getting down to business with being friendly. The fans are terrific at Redbird Arena and I like Illinois State's fast-paced style. I am excited about the hitters I am going to be able to set, too. Ive played against M.C. (Mary Catherine) in high school and club ball. Last summer at camp, I got to be on the same team with her and she is awesome. I cant wait to set her."
Coach Sharon Dingman on Erin:
""Erin plays volleyball at a very high level already. She will be our starting setter immediately. She is the first USAV Open Division All-American we've signed since I've been at Illinois State and she is ready to make an impact as one of the top setters in the nation in her class."
MARY CATHERINE RICHMOND, 5-11, Fr., MB
Lindbergh HS, St. Louis, Mo.
RICHMOND NOTES: 2003 & 2004 lst team all-conference ... led conference in kills and digs in 2004 ... all-district in 2003 and 2004 ... led team to school-record 30 wins (30-2 her senior year) ... prep coach was Johnna Wieter ... also participated in soccer as a freshman and sophomore ... led St. Louis CYC teams to USAV national tournament in 2003 and 2004, with 2004 team finishing 10th ... daughter of John and Mary Ann Richmond, with brothers Marty, Mike (former Drury soccer player, now soccer coach at Fort Zumwalt HS in St. Louis area), Steve, Rob and Paul ... plans to major in special education and will take classes at Meramac Community College in Spring, 2005 ... superintendent scholar two years ... full name is Mary Catherine Richmond, born Oct. 3, 1986.
QUOTING MARY CATHERINE: "When I first got my letter from Illinois State, I didn't know much about it, but I learned that Illinois State is an awesome program at an awesome school. I've been to Redbird Arena and believe me, there is nothing like playing in front of those fans The education program there is really great, too. ISU is famous for teachers. Its a neat feeling being in Redbird Arena. The first thing I noticed about Sharon is her smile. She made me feel welcome. She and (assistants) Dawn (Sullivan) and Jenny (Kabbes) were another big reason why I decided to Illinois State. They are knowledgable and work with each player individually. Its going to be great to be teammates with Erin; I've gone against her and shes a terrific player."
Coach Sharon Dingman on Mary Catherine:
"She has very quick feet, is a quick jumper and has a quick arm swing ... I'm sure you see a pattern in there. M.C. is young to the game, but is a tremendous athlete and plays with youthful enthusiasm. She sets high goals for herself, but she still plays the game with a tremendous amount of youthful enthusiasm."
Manoela Vieira Da Cunha, 5-11, Jr., OH/L,
Recife, Brazil
Northview HS, Brazil, Ind. (exchange student)
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Ill.
PLAYER NOTES: Club team was 2nd in Brazilian National tournament 1998 and 1999; 3rd in Brazilian National Tournament 2000 and 2002 ... in high school, she was voted best blocker and best hitter on her team ... 2nd team All-Conference in high school ... at Illinois Central, first team all-regiona and led the team in kills in 2003 ... averaged 4.2 kills and 5.0 digs per game for 2004 Illinois Central College team which went 37-8, won its regional and finished 5th at NJCAA Finals ... holds team JC records for season and career kills ... No. 2 in career aces with 157, just ahead of former ICC and ISU star Keely Zimmerman (1990-93) ... JC coach: Sue Sinclair ... high school coach: Laura Pfeifer ... daughter of Manoel and Katia Da Cunha with brothers Leonardo, Joao Paulo ... major is international business ... Manoela Veloso Vieira da Cunha, born May 9, 1984 in Recife, Brazil ... name pronounced mon-WAY-lah vee-AIR-ah da KOON-yah.
QUOTING PLAYER: "When I went for my visit, I loved everything at Illinois State. I respect the coaches. I did a lot of research and the business program I am majoring in is a great program. Academics are most important, but, after my visit, I also knew it was where I wanted to go. Redbird Arena is exciting, with all the fans."
Coach Sharon Dingman on Manoela:
"Manoela will bring experience, knowledge and insight to the team. She will add a dimension to the program we haven't had in my tenuter here as far as her life experiences and volleyball experiences. She is a great passer and defensive player who really knows the game. Her experience at Illinois Central is a plus--it's always great to coach a player who has played for Sue Sinclair."
