Volleyball | 12/5/2016 8:04:00 AM

DETROIT --  Following its best season since 1998, the Wayne State University volleyball program has signed four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.  Head coach Tim Koth is excited about the addition of the quartet and looks forward to the continued improvement of the program as he concludes his third season at the helm.

"The 2017 WSU Volleyball recruiting class has a chance to be very special!" said head coach Tim Koth.  "They bring size, athleticism and high level experience at both the high school and club levels with them to Midtown. They also bring some excellent credentials academically.  We look forward to having them join us in August and to the many things they will contribute to Wayne State University."

OLIVIA FIKE
North Branch, Mich. / North Branch High School
6-1 / Middle Blocker
High School: A 2017 graduate of North Branch High School ... was a four-time letterwinner for the Broncos and head coach Jim Fish ... helped lead her team to a state title and a 58-9 overall record in 2016 ... NBHS advanced to the state quarterfinal in 2013, won the state title in 2014 at 62-5 and were the state runner-ups in 2015 ... earned All-State, All-League, All-County honors during her prep career ... also lettered in tack & field.

Coach Koth's Thoughts:  "Olivia brings size and speed to the middle position for us.  She has the ability to attack at any tempo; her size and jumping ability will make her a force in the GLIAC at the net. She has played for a perennial high school power house – coming off winning a State Title this fall; some strong club programs that have really helped her skill set to be at a high level coming in.  We are expecting great things from Liv!"
 
JULIA MALEWICZ
Macomb, Mich. / Utica Academy for International Studies / Henry Ford II High School
5-10 / Outside Hitter
High School:  A 2017 graduate of Utica Academy for International Studies ... played volleyball at Henry Ford II High School ... was a four-year letterwinner and team captain for the Falcons and head coach Brianna Baker ... helped HFII go 10-0 in league play and finish first in the Macomb Area Conference's Blue Division ... was an All-County selection in 2014, 2015 and 2016 ... a three-time All-League honoree (2014-16) ... holds school records for aces in a season and kills in a match ... was named team MVP in 2014 and 2015 ... led the team in kills in each of her final three prep seasons ... carried a 4.17 GPA throughout high school and was three-time member of the MHSAA All-Academic Team ... also served on the National Honor Society as well as the National Art Honor Society ... played club for the Legacy Volleyball Club and head coach Eric Lindstrom.

Coach Koth's Thoughts: "Julia is an amazing athlete, student and person.  She epitomizes what we want Warrior Volleyball to be about.  She was the MVP of her high school conference; plays for Legacy VBC – an elite program – where she has gained great experience, and has excelled in the classroom with over a 4.0 GPA.  She is very explosive off the ground and as she improves her upper body strength, she will have the chance to be a very terminal hitter for the Warriors." 
 
LAUREN VANDERWAL
Caledonia, Mich. / Caledonia High School
6-1 / Outside Hitter
High School:  A 2017 graduate of Caledonia High School ... a three-time letterwinner for the Fights Scots and head coach Missy Ritz ... was a First Team All-Conference and All-Region selection as a senior ... was named Team Offensive MVP ... helped CHS to a 46-11-1 overall record in 2016 including a 9-3 mark in the league ... finished her senior season with 449 kills and hit .211 with 359 digs, 78 aces and 47 total blocks ... played club volleyball DFFO ... also was a letterwinner in basketball and track & field ... carried a 3.5 GPA through high school and was a four-year member of Student Council.

Coach Koth's Thoughts:  "Lauren is a physical outside that will come in to Wayne State with a great deal of club experience, having played for DFFO out of Kalamazoo. She lead her Caledonia high school team to its most successful finish in recent memory.  I like her competitiveness and drive to be successful in everything she does.  She has a chance to be a very dynamic player for us in 2017."
  TAYLOR WAGNER
St. Joseph, Mich. / Lakeshore High School
6-2 / Outside Hitter
High School:  A 2017 graduate of Lakeshore High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Lancers and head coach Tessa Lee ... earned Honorable Mention All-Conference, First Team All-Conference and All-Region during her prep career ... played club volleyball for Dunes 17 Black for head coach Rick Ashmore ... also lettered in basketball ... a 4.0 GPA student.

Coach Koth's Thoughts:  "Taylor is another big, physical athlete at the outside position, who is just beginning to develop her full skill set.  She was an elite basketball player who has now committed herself to being an elite volleyball player!  She play's for Dune's VBC out of northwest Indiana with some very talented coaches who are helping to develop her complete game – as she does, she should be exciting to watch when she joins the Warriors!"