WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State volleyball coach
Venera Flores-Stafford announced the signing of four prep standouts and a Division I transfer to National Letters of Intent.
The class includes Magnolia High's Alyssa Fulgium, Holliday High's Sarah Garfield, Victoria East High's Morgan Lienemann, Dripping Springs High's Cody Moore and transfer Marija Jovanovic from Florida A&M.
"This is a good, solid freshman class along with a very talented transfer setter," Flores-Stafford said. "They will compete for positions and lead this program into the future. It's very well rounded and it will be fun to watch them grow as a unit."
Fulgium, a 5-7 defensive specialist/setter, enjoyed a stellar prep career helping Magnolia to three consecutive Region 3-4A finalist showings after the Bulldogs claimed three straight District 18-4A titles.
"Alyssa will add depth to the back row and will make a run for the starting libero spot," Flores-Stafford said.
Garfield, a 6-foot middle blocker, played a key role in a dominant local program at Holliday High where she helped the Lady Eagles to unbeaten District 8-2A titles in each of the last three seasons. She earned TGCA All-State and was the district offensive player of the year while leading HHS to a Class 2A State semifinal showing this fall.
"We're lucky to get her," Flores-Stafford said. "She's a local girl and we're very excited. She is ready to compete for either one of the middle blocker and right-side spots."
Lienemann earned TSWA Class 4A All-State as a junior in 2011 and was the District 30-4A Co-Outstanding Hitter of the Year in 2012. The 5-9 outside hitter helped Victoria East High School to bi-district titles in 2010 and 2012.
"Morgan will give us depth in the outside hitter position," Flores-Stafford said. "She can easily play six rotations and get to every ball. She will compete as a freshman to get significant time."
Moore, a 6-foot right-side hitter, served as co-captain for Dripping Springs High School's 41-9 squad that advanced to the Region 4-4A quarterfinals last fall. She claimed All-District 25-4A first-team honors as a senior after gaining honorable mention following her sophomore and junior campaigns.
"Cody played middle blocker in high school, but she will play on the right side for us," Flores-Stafford said. "She is a long kid that has a good read on the block."
Jovanovic sat out a season due to injury after enjoying a solid junior campaign at Florida A&M where she helped the Rattlers to a Mid-eastern Athletic Conference South Division title. The 6-foot right side hitter/setter stood third on the team with 2.47 kills per set while putting down 10-or-more in 13 of her 27 matches.
Prior to Florida A&M, Jovanovic was a two-time NJCAA All-Region IX first-team selection at Casper (Wyo.) College earning Setter of the Year accolades as a sophomore in 2010.
"Marija is a very talented setter," Flores-Stafford said. "She will bring a high level of experience to our offense."
Midwestern State completed the 2012 campaign with a 7-23 record.
2013-14 MSU VOLLEYBALL SIGNING CLASS
Alyssa Fulgium
5-7 | DS/S | Magnolia, Texas | Magnolia High School
Notables: A two-time All-District 18-4A performer for coaches Terri Johnson and Sheila Daniels at Magnolia (Texas) High School… helped Bulldogs two three consecutive district championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012… also led Magnolia to a Region 3-4A finalist appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2012… listed as one of the Top 10 defensive specialists in the Houston Area prior to senior season of 2012 by VYPE Magazine… competed on the club level for The Woodlands Wave 15s-18s in Spring, Texas… daughter of Charles and Trecia Fulgium of Magnolia, Texas… plans to major in exercise physiology…
What coach Flores-Stafford said: "Alyssa will add depth to the back row and will make a run for the starting libero spot."
Sarah Garfield
5-11 | MB/RS | Wichita Falls, Texas | Holliday High School
Notables: Four-year letter winner for coach Mindy Patton at Holliday (Texas) High School… earned TGCA Class 2A All-State honors after leading the Lady Eagles to a 35-7 record on the way to a state semifinal showing during senior season of 2012… played key role in helping HHS to Region I-2A semifinalist appearances in 2010 and 2011… led Lady Eagles to three consecutive undefeated District 8-2A championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012… earned District 8-2A Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2012 after gaining the league's Blocker of the Year in 2010 and 2011… multi-sport standout was part of coach Glenn Griffin's state qualifying 4x400 relay team in 2011… earned first-team all-district accolades in basketball following 2011-12 campaign… also a standout in the classroom earning TGCA Academic All-State honors in 2012… a National Honor Society nominee… earned academic all-district mention in 2010, 2011 and 2012… named Who's Who in Spanish 1, Algebra 1 and Dollars and Sense… competed on the club level for coach Jessica Ransom's Tornado Volleyball Club squad in 2007, for Brandie Castagna's Holliday Volleyball Club in 2008 and 2009, Billy Hughes' Tornado Volleyball Club in 2010, coach Ray Bussey's Clay County Volleyball Association squad in 2011 and coach Natalie Rawson's Zone In Volleyball Association in 2012… daughter of Jim and Becky Garfield of Wichita Falls, Texas… plans to major in education and business at MSU…
What coach Flores-Stafford said: "We're lucky to get her. She's a local girl and we're excited. She will compete for either one of the middle blocker and right-side spots."
Marija Jovanovic
6-0 | S/RS | Subotica, Serbia | 11th Belgrade Gymnasium (Florida A&M)
Notables: transfers from Division I Florida A&M… part of FAMU's Mid-eastern Athletic Conference South Division championship in junior season of 2011 as the Rattlers advanced to the MEAC title match… third on team with 2.47 kills per set putting down 10-or-more kills in 13 matches including a season-high 20 against Mercer on Oct. 12, 2011… all-around performer earning NJCAA Region IX Setter of the Year honors at Casper College (Wyo.) averaging 1.31 kills, 7.63 set assists and 0.53 blocks per set as a sophomore in 2010… earned NJCAA All-Region IX accolades with 1.10 kills, 9.25 set assists and 0.71 blocks per set as a freshman in 2009… competed at the prep level for coach Ivan Radivojevic at 11
th Belgrade Gymnasium in Serbia… daughter of Branislav and Radojka Jovanovic of Subotica, Serbia... a mass communications major…
What coach Flores-Stafford said: "Marija is a very talented setter. She will bring a high level of experience to our offense."
Morgan Lienemann
5-9 | OH | Victoria, Texas | Victoria East High School
Notables: three-year letter winner for coach Jamye Pauley at Victoria (Texas) East High School… helped Titans to Bi-District championships in 2010 and 2012… named District 30-4A Co-Outstanding Hitter and was a first-team all-area pick as a senior in 2012… earned TSWA Class 4A All-State honorable mention pick as a junior in 2011… named District 30-4A Newcomer of the Year in 2010… named Victoria East Titan Class Favorite and Most Athletic Girl… competed at the club level for Southern Swing 13s/14s for coaches Kathy Sullivan and Jill Powers from 2007-09, for Texstar 151s/161s for coach Keith Huskey from 2009-11, for Houston Junior 17 Elite/18 Elite for coaches Jeff Ham and Chuck Schneider in 2011-13… member of the National Honor Society (2010-13), HOSA Club (2010-11) and Interact Club (2012-13)… daughter of Mark and Melissa Lienemann of Victoria, Texas… plans to major in nursing at MSU…
What coach Flores-Stafford said: "Morgan will give us depth in the outside hitter position. She can easily play six rotations and get to every ball. She will compete as a freshman to get significant time."
Cody Moore
6-0 | RS | Dripping Springs, Texas | Dripping Springs High School
Notables: three-year letter winner for coach Michael Kane at Dripping Springs (Texas) High School… served as co-captain for the Tigers' 2012 squad which posted a 41-9 mark advancing to the Region 4-4A quarterfinals… earned All-District 25-4A first-team honors as a senior in 2012 and was an honorable mention selection in 2010 and 2011… helped Dripping Springs to a district title in 2012 as the Tigers advanced to the state playoffs in each of her three prep varsity seasons… earned academic all-district honors in 2010, 2011 and 2012… competed at the club level for coaches Sarah Silvernail, Kim Morgal and Marie Bruce of the Austin Junior Volleyball Club from 2008-13… active in numerous clubs as she was named Dripping Springs Vocational Ag Boosters Senior Outstanding Member in 2011… member of the FFA Junior Leadership Team in 2009 and 2010… earned FFA Green Hand Award in 2009… Texas 4H District Champion Yearling Futurity in 2009… Top Ten Texas State 4H Horse Show in 2009… Creative Communication a Celebration of Poets published in 2011… Star of Texas Livestock Show Reserve Champion Goat Showman in 2011… daughter of Richard and Donna Moore of Dripping Springs, Texas… plans to major in physical therapy at Midwestern…
What coach Flores-Stafford said: "Cody played middle blocker in high school, but she will play on the right side for us. She is a long kid that has a good read on the block.
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