Missouri State volleyball coach Melissa Stokes announced the signing of three high school standouts Tuesday.
Kelley Michnowicz, Christina Buckner and Calli Norman have committed to the Bears and will be freshmen during the 2008 season.
A 6-2 right side hitter from Belleville, Ill., Michnowicz comes to Missouri State from Althoff Catholic High School, where she was coached by former Bear Kathy Wuller, the aunt of current MSU senior and Althoff alum Sara Thomas. A four-year starter, Michnowicz’s teams went 123-42 with three conference titles. A first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior, Michnowicz led the Crusaders to a fourth-place state finish in 2007 and an Elite 8 appearance in 2006.
"Kelley comes from the same high school program as Sara Thomas. When you get a player from Althoff, you know you’re getting a well-trained athlete," said Melissa Stokes. "Kelley is physical and can get it done both offensively and defensively at the net. She is a player that will make an immediate impact on our program."
Buckner becomes the second Springfield Kickapoo grad on the roster, joining current freshman Joanna Granzow. A 5-5 defensive specialist, Buckner averaged 7.89 digs and 2.13 kills per game as a senior and owns the Kickapoo records for most kills and digs. She was a first-team all-conference choice her final two seasons as well as earning all-region and all-district honors as a senior.
"Christina is someone who brings her best effort everyday. She strives for excellence in and out of the classroom and this is what attracted us to her," Stokes commented. "She is very mature and has a great head on her shoulders. I am very excited Christina is going to be a Bear!"
Norman is a 6-1 middle hitter from Francis Howell Central High in St. Charles, Mo. As a senior, she broke her own school record with 354 kills while adding 76 blocks. She totaled 751 kills her final three years and was a first-team all-district and all-conference pick as a junior and senior. Norman also made the all-academic team all four years of high school.
"Coach Jones definitely had a great eye for talent when she found Calli. Calli is definitely a diamond in the rough," Stokes said of Norman. "She is both a big time player and athlete and will make an immediate impact on our program both on and off the court."
Missouri State is 25-7 in 2007 and opens NCAA Tournament play Fri., Nov. 30, at 5:30 p.m. against No. 13 Oregon in Manhattan, Kan.
