NORMAL, Ill. – Head volleyball coach Leah Johnson announced that the program has added three players to its roster for the 2020 season.
"When recruiting, it is important to add something unique or that will add immediate value to the program right away and I believe we found that in this group of athletes," Johnson shared. "We add high level skill with Jacobsen, a true point scorer in Prondzinski and natural blocker in Jordan. It is also important to bring in more of the same as it pertains to culture and I believe we have added value in this area as well with each of them bringing a positive personality to the gym. They are all high-character young women that will add immense value to this program on and off the court in the coming years."
Sarah Jacobsen | Outside Hitter | Orion, Illinois | Orion HS
Background: Has been a four-year varsity starter for Orion High School's volleyball program … Four-time conference and regional champion … Became her high school's all-time career kills leader during her junior campaign … Helped her team advance to the Sweet 16 her sophomore season … Member of the State of Iowa vs. State of Illinois All-Star Team … Named to a high school AVCA All-Region team her senior year … Earned an all-area honorable mention her freshman season, before given first team honors during her sophomore and junior campaigns … Two-time all-conference performer … Recognized for her academics – National Honors Society, top-10 percent of her class and highest honor roll.
Johnson on Jacobsen: "Sarah is the ultimate student of the game. You can feel her love for the sport within seconds of being around her, and she is an excellent teammate, a hard worker and an intense competitor. Sarah is a high-skill volleyball player and can see the game at another level, while scoring in a variety of ways. Adding a player like this will only elevate our gym both on the court, in the classroom and in the community."
Cassie Jordan | Middle Blocker | Painesville Township, Ohio | Riverside HS
Background: Member of Riverside High School's volleyball team for three years, earning a starting role the last two seasons … Has helped her team post winning records all three seasons … Earned varsity letters her junior and senior year … Aided in her team's efforts to win the conference championship with an undefeated record the last three seasons, while winning three district titles … Has earned an honors diploma for her success in the classroom.
Johnson on Jordan: "Cassie will immediately add size and physicality to our front line and brings so much more to the table. She is an excellent blocker, not just with her presence, but her vision and anticipation. She makes block moves that can be seen in high-level blockers. Cassie has a great reach on her attacking and works the deep corners of the court extremely well. She is equally skilled in the classroom and her unique ability to learn will allow her to cross train at a high level our program.Â
Kaitlyn Prondzinski | Outside Hitter | Rochester, Minnesota | Stewartville HS
Background: Four-year starter for Stewartville High School, helping her team post winning records all four seasons … Four-time all-conference performer, while her team won a pair of conference championships … Coming off of a state championship in 2019, earning all-state honors for the second-consecutive season, while also earning an all-tournament nod this year … Named the MVP of her team during her junior year … Reached 1,000 kills in her career during her senior campaign … Is an A-Honor Roll student for her continued success in the classroom … Comes from an athletic family, as her uncle and grandpa each competed in football and basketball, respectively, at the collegiate level, as well as her aunt and her cousin.
Johnson on Prondzinski: "Kaitlyn is a powerhouse attacker and has the ability to impact the game with her arm and her block. She has the versatility to play anywhere, giving our team competition and depth at every position. The only thing that can match her big swings is her big personality. She is often the fun-loving teammate all while being one of the most competitive people on the court. Her all-around game has progressed rapidly each year throughout club and high school and we are excited to see continued growth in a Redbird uniform."
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