Dec. 17, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State head coach Deanne Scanlon has announced the signing of four student-athletes that will begin their collegiate careers at Grand Valley State at the start of the 2009 season. Ashley Blaszczak (Belleville, Mich.), Abigail Ebels (McBain, Mich./Northern Michigan Christian), Olivia Kohler (North Branch, Mich.), and Samantha Phillips (Vicksburg, Mich.) are the newest members of the Laker volleyball program.

Scanlon is pleased about the quartet of high school seniors that will begin their careers at GVSU next fall. "This is a very athletic group of kids that have a lot of size and should fit very well into our offensive scheme," Scanlon explained. "The 2009 class has the potential to make an immediate impact on the program. They have great size and outstanding athleticism that will help in their transition to the college game."

A 5-4 setter, Kohler recently earned Michigan's 'Miss Volleyball' award for 2008, one of the most prestigious honors a high school player can receive. In her career at North Branch High School, Kohler recorded 2,153 assists, 1,569 digs, 955 kills, and 179 total blocks. Her 492 career service aces are second all-time in Michigan high school history. The Lady Broncos won four straight Tri-Valley East Championships, three Class A and one Class B district titles, a pair of regional championships, and was the Class A State runner-up in 2007. Kohler earned first team all-state honors in 2007 and 2008, while also being named all-conference and all-region in those seasons. The two-year team captain was an academic all-state selection in 2008. Kohler also advanced to the state competition in track and field in the 300m hurdles (three times) and the 100m hurdles (twice), while playing two years of basketball at North Branch.

"Olivia is an exciting athlete that will impact our program immediately," Scanlon described. "She chose Grand Valley State after considering numerous Division I offers because she wanted to play at the highest competitive level and win a national championship. Olivia is also competitive in the classroom and currently ranks number one in her graduation class.

Blaszczak was the leader and team captain of a Belleville Tiger team that won a district championship in 2008, as she tallied a .338 hitting percentage and 423 kills. The 6-2 outside hitter also recorded 61 service aces and 378 digs and was a four-year letterman for Belleville. Blaszczak was named a third team all-state Class A selection in 2008, as well as earning all-conference and all-region laurels. She was an honorable mention all-state nominee in 2005 and 2006. Blaszczak also helped the Tigers win the 2007 Mega Conference championship. A quality student-athlete maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, Blaszczak was tabbed an all-region scholar athlete after her senior season. She also played basketball at Belleville and was a member of the high school band.

"I am excited to work with Ashley and think she was a 'sleeper' in the 2009 recruiting class," noted Scanlon. "Her size and athleticism fit in well with our offensive scheme and our emphasis on blocking. After working with Ashley at camp this summer, I have no doubt that she will make an impact on our program as an outside hitter."

Ebels is a 6-1 middle blocker that totaled 993 kills, 657 digs, 363 total blocks, and 107 service aces in her final three seasons at Northern Michigan Christian School. She was named a third team all-state Class D choice after the 2008 season, in addition to picking up All-Highland Conference and all-area dream team awards. As a member of the Comets, Ebels won a pair of district championships (2007, 2008), a regional title in 2007, and advanced to the state semifinals in the same year. Ebels was named to the all-conference and all-region team in 2007, as well as being an honorable mention all-state selection. She was a four-year letterwinner in basketball at NMCS and participated in track for two years.

"Abbey is a tremendous athlete that is touching above 10 feet (on her vertical jump) with excellent foot speed," Scanlon pointed out. "Her blocking presence in the middle will be key to her success. Outside of volleyball, Abbey has had the opportunity to travel internationally and is ranked in the top of her graduating class."

Phillips is a 5-11 middle blocker for Vicksburg High School who totaled 147 kills and a .365 hitting percentage in 2008 during play in the Wolverine Conference. In 2007, she recorded 259 kills, a .352 attack clip, and 88 total blocks for the Bulldogs. Phillips earned honorable mention all-state Class B laurels in 2008, as well as being named a First Team All-Wolverine Conference selection. The Bulldogs' team captain in 2008, Phillips was a second-team all-conference choice and an all-region member in 2007. She also earned academic all-state honors during her junior season at Vicksburg. During her high school career, Phillips also participated in ski club and was on the school's honor roll list.

"Sam attended camp this past summer and impressed our staff with her athletic ability and work ethic," said Scanlon. "She has the ability to hit from all spots on the floor, which will help her compete for playing time. Sam excels off the court as well and has been accepted into the honors college at GVSU."