July 15, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - After its second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth, the Michigan State Volleyball squad is already beginning to reap the benefits under head coach Cathy George. PrepVolleyball.com, a major collegiate volleyball recruiting site, has ranked the Spartans' incoming recruiting class as the seventh best in the entire nation. In addition to its No. 7 national rank, the Spartans rank tops in the Big Ten Conference.

"We are excited to welcome this recruiting class into the Spartan Family," said head coach Cathy George. "We will look for them to make an immediate contribution to the program and continue to build upon the foundation of Michigan State volleyball."

The continued recent success under George and her coaching staff has helped Michigan State volleyball earn respect on the national level which has now translated to the recruiting trail. This is the highest rank for an incoming Spartan class under George as it is arguably the top class in Michigan State history. Three Big Ten schools, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan, finished ahead of the Spartans in the national rankings, but due to their fine efforts, the Spartans brought in a better recruiting class than each of those three schools. Their ability to bring in some of the top recruits in the state and region shows a bright future for Spartan volleyball.

With four signees, this season's incoming freshman class will likely make an immediate impact on the floor. Keeping many of their recruiting efforts close to home, the Spartans were able to ink Kyndra Abron (Livonia, Mich./Livonia Churchill), one of the top recruits in the state of Michigan. Following her senior season, Abron was dubbed "Miss Volleyball 2007" by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MVCA). Abron, a middle hitter, was named first-team all-state, all-region and all-conference following her efforts during the 2007 season. She was also ranked as No. 14 on PrepVolleyball.com's "Senior Aces" list, highlighting the top volleyball prospects nationally.

Joining Abron on that list and also making her way to Michigan State is setter Natalie Emro (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette). Emro ranked 33rd on the "Senior Aces" list and is one of the top prospects at setter in the entire nation. Emro, much like Abron, earned first-team honors at the state, conference, district and region levels after an outstanding senior season that saw her register 10.62 assists per game. In her sophomore year, Emro won a USA Volleyball National Championship in the 16-National Division and earned all-tournament team honors in the process. Additionally as a sophomore, she trained with the USA Volleyball Youth National Team.

The Spartans were able to land two Chicago-area recruits as well, highlighted by libero Carli Weiler (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley). Weiler was ranked as the No. 4 libero in the nation on PrepVolleyball.com after leading Mother McAuley to a second-place finish at the Illinois Class 4A State Championship. Named to the "Defensive Dandies" list, Weiler tallied 553 digs in her senior season and 473 digs as a junior. Weiler figures to make an immediate impact on the back line in her first year as a Spartan.

Joining Weiler from the Chicago-area is Rebecca Zlabis (Wheaton, Ill. /Wheaton Warrenville South) who was also honored as one of the "Senior Aces" as she came in at No. 73. Zlabis earned first team all-conference and all-area honors as both a junior and a senior, along with being named the school's "Offensive Player of the Year" three times.

"This class represents a huge talent infusion for the Spartans, who went 21-14 in the Big Ten a year ago. Emro, a big lefty with soft hands and a coach's mind, could challenge right away for the setter's spot," PrepVolleyball.com explained in a comment about the class. "Weiler is such a leader and so good and athletic in the back court that it's hard not to envision her as a four-year starter and future all-conference performer. On the left side, Zlabis is ready now; a crafty 10-0 toucher from the Sports Performance program to helps you in six rotations. Abron is a ridiculous athlete who might contribute less up front but could be a monster contributor if someone lights a fire under her."

Spartan fans will be able to get their first look at the 2008 team on Saturday, Aug. 23 as the teams take part in the annual Green & White game at Jenison Field House. The Spartans open the regular season with tough test in Norman, Okla. as they take part in the Sooner Invitational, hosted by the University of Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 29. For all the latest on MSU Volleyball, stay tuned to www.msuspartans.com.

MSU Women's Volleyball

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