Editor's note: This is the final installment in a three-part series taking a closer look at the incoming 2006 recruiting class for Ohio fall sports teams.
A trio of high school standouts will join the Ohio volleyball team for the upcoming 2006 season.
Outside hitter Ellen Herman, Toledo; middle blocker Jane Sytsma, Madison, Wisc.; and defensive specialist Sarah Petrulis, Westlake, Ohio, are all set to make their mark as freshmen.
Ohio Coach Geoff Carlston described the 6 feet 1 inch Herman as a fun and tenacious volleyball player. In 2005 alone, Herman was named to the All-Ohio First Team in Division I volleyball and earned Northwest District and City Player of the Year awards along the way to helping Toledo Central Catholic to a D-I Northwest District runner-up finish. She was also rated as the No. 45 volleyball recruit in the country by www.prepvolleyball.com.
Herman said it was the attitude of the Bobcat players and coaches that drew her to Ohio.
The first time I visited
the girls were warming up for an actual match and they all waved and said 'hi' and their parents all greeted us too she said. They treated me more like a friend than a recruit ' you know how places can want to act perfectly to impress a recruit ' well for them perfect was just being normal.
Listed as the No. 88 recruit in the nation by www.prepvolleyball.com, Sytsma earned her second career Wisconsin all-state nod in her senior year along with city and conference player of the year awards.
The 6 feet 3 inch blocker said she is looking forward to improving her skills for the collegiate level.I want to progress all around as a player Sytsma said. As a middle
it will be a lot more challenging and quicker game that I'll have to play in college.
Walk-on recruit Petrulis was named to the All-Ohio Third Team in 2005 and said she is excited about being part of team that is doing so well.
I'm really excited to be able to be on a team that's doing so well and be a part of it
she said. I think it will be a good challenge to compete with everyone for a spot on the team.
Carlston said she will be a good addition to the Bobcat squad.
(Petrulis) was a really under-recruited kid. She's going to add a lot to the team in terms of our ball control
Carlston said.
Despite having 12-of-15 players returning from the Bobcats' best season in program history, Carlston said they all have a chance to make their presence known as freshmen.
I think all three are really solid players and coming in they're going to have a good chance of making an impact right away.
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