CALDWELL, Idaho – College of Idaho volleyball coach
Liz Mendiola has announced the addition of six new student-athletes to the roster for the 2017 season.
The recruits join transfers
Taylor Alexander and
Mali Sawyer, who enrolled at the College this spring.
Transfers
Marija Djonovic and
Miah Perez are set to make an immediate impact with their experience at the collegiate level. Djonovic, a setter from Podroica, Montenegro, played two seasons at junior college power College of Southern Idaho, twice earning All-Region 18 honors – averaging over nine assists per set for the Golden Eagles. Perez, an outside hitter from Ellensburg, Wash., averaged 2.46 kills and 2.5 digs per set as a sophomore at Blue Mountain CC.
"Marija is a talented setter with a great deal of high level experience, both in Montenegro and at CSI – where her team won the NJCAA National Championship as a freshman," Mendiola said. "We signed Miah late and feel like we hit the jackpot – she is a dynamic player in both the front and back row and wants the ball, which is exactly the type of player we were looking to recruit."
The Yotes also added
Kiara Skinner, a 6-1 middle blocker – who was a starting post each of the past two seasons in basketball and was an All-Cascade Conference pick as a thrower in track. During her junior college days, Skinner was an All-Region 9 selection, averaging 2.44 kills and nearly one block per set.
"Kiara is an impressive athlete and I am thrilled that she chose to play volleyball this season," Mendiola said. She adds great physicality and height to our roster."
Three freshmen are also headed to Caldwell –
Taylor Crafts,
Drew Dobney and
Josie Whitehead – all of whom had impressive prep careers.
Crafts, a 6-1 middle blocker from Crane Union High in Oregon, was a three-time All-State selection - including winning two state 3A titles at Burns High before playing her senior year at CUHS.
"Taylor is long and athletic and loves to compete," Mendiola said. "We are excited to see her growth as she moves to the college level."
Dobney, a libero from Vale High, was the two-time Eastern Oregon League Player of the Year and a two-time All-State selection – recording 49 aces, 209 digs and 721 assists as a senior. Whitehead, a defensive specialist from Kuna, was an All-Southern Idaho Conference selection as a senior.
"Drew is a great all-around volleyball player and a feisty competitor," Mendiola said. "Josie is a very skilled defensive player who has had great training both in high school and club. These two will make our defense better, and more importantly, our passing more efficient."
The Lady Yotes open their fall camp tomorrow, with the season opener set for Aug. 16-17, at the annual Summer Slam Tournament – hosted by Hope International and Vanguard.
