Pitt State volleyball adds 5 during signing period

Pittsburg State University head volleyball coach Ibraheem Suberu picked up five players during the early signing period.

The Gorillas signed Katie Wright, Kelsey Sullivan, Lauren Brentlinger and Kirsten Erickson to National Letters of Intent and Abbie Smith to an Institutional Declaration of Intent.

Wright is a 5-foot-8 setter from LaVista, Neb. She attends Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart and is coached by Robin Etter.

In 2008 she was ranked seventh in class B in kills, averaging 3.1 per set. Wright plays club volleyball for the River City Juniors coached by Deb Grafentin. 

"Katie is an accomplished setter with a strong training background from her years at River City Juniors," Suberu said. "As a lefty with attacking skills, she will bring a different dimension to our team. Her defensive intensity will allow her to transition faster into our program philosophy."

Sullivan is a 6-1 middle blocker/opposite hitter from Lenexa. She attends high school and St. Thomas Aquinas and is coached by Kim Bogart and Brian Schenck.

Sullivan was recently selected to represent Kansas at the MOKAN All-Star match.

Sullivan plays for the MAVs club team. The team won the 2009 Northern Lights National Qualifier and went on to finished fifth in the 17 and under open division at junior nationals.

"Kelsey has college-ready skills acquired from competing at state championship level, along with USA Volleyball successes year in and year out," Suberu said. "Her slide attacking skill is highly polished and she has a nose for point scoring. She brings high intensity and strong communication. Her consistent energy and desire to win is contagious and will push our team to the next level."

Brentlinger is a 6-3 middle blocker from Kansas City, Mo. She attends Park Hill South High School and is coached by Debbie Fay.

Brentlinger has most recently played club volleyball for the Kansas City Titans, helping the team to a first-place finish at the Indianapolis Junior National Qualifier.

The team went on to finished in the top 10 in the National Division at the 2009 Junior National Championship.

"Lauren gives us a high touch point in attacking and blocking that has been missing since the graduation of former All-American Linda Igbinigie," Suberu said. "Her ball control skills are very advanced and she is an aggressive and terminal attacker.  She is a dynamic athlete with a great collegiate future."

Erikson is a 5-11 right side hitter from Blue Springs, Mo. She attends Blue Springs High School and is coached by Katie Grusing.
She plays club volleyball for the KC Extreme.

"Kirsten possesses all around skills as a lefty," Suberu said. "Her background in being able to attack from all positions on the court is valuable for us. She is a fast twitch volleyball student athlete with tremendous work ethic."

Smith is a 5-9 outside hitter from Moran. She attends Uniontown High School and is coached by Jackie Hall. She recently helped lead Uniontown to a fifth-place finish in the Kansas Class 2A State Championships. She was named to the Kansas All-State second team in 2008 and the state All-Tournament team in 2009.

"Abbie is a superb athlete with room to develop into an outstanding collegiate volleyball student-athlete," Suberu said. "She is still growing in the sport and we are excited for her to join us. She is a proven winner with strong self discipline and focus to accomplish set goals."