Nov. 18, 2008

By Shannon Muesenfechter, Sports Information Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (Tuesday, November 18, 2008) - Redhawks head volleyball coach Renata Nowacki has announced the signing of Karlee Lursen (Apple Valley, MN), Brittney Kalinoski (Overland Park, KS) and Angela Cichelero (St. Louis, MO) to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Redhawks beginning with the 2009-10 school year. The three signees are all current high school seniors who elected to sign their NLI's during the NCAA's Early Signing Period which ends tomorrow.

Karlee Lursen, a 5-9 outside hitter, is a three-year letter winner at Eastview High School under head coach Becky Egan in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Last year she led her team with 311 kills, 78 blocks, 42 aces and 263 digs helping the Lightning post a 28-5 record, Eastview's first section championship and a runner-up finish in the Minnesota State Volleyball Tournament. During her career, Lursen earned 2008 All-Conference and All-State accolades and was a two year member of Minnesota's All-Star teams.

In her club career, Lursen was honored in 2007 as an All-American at the AAU National Championships as a member of the Northern Lights team that went 16-2 and finished second. During the 2008 season her Northern Lights team finished second at the Northern Lights Qualifier and fifth at USJO Nationals.

Brittney Kalinoski holds school records for career blocks (209.5) and kills (1,048).

Brittney Kalinoski, a 5'11 outside hitter, is a member of the Olathe East High School volleyball team in Overland Park, KS where she holds the records for career blocks (209.5) and kills (1,048). During the 2007 season Kalinoski was named team captain and was a member of Kansas All-State Team, All-Sun Country team, KC Star All-Metro honorable mention and the Olathe East Wall of Fame.

In 2008 at the club level, she received All-Sunflower and Tonganoxie tournament MVP honors. Brittney is a member of KC Extreme Volleyball Club who placed 5th at Junior Olympics in 2007 and placed 21st in 2008.

Angela Cichelero is a three-year starter for Ursuline Academy in St. Louis, MO (Photo Courtesy of Diana Linsley)

Angela Cinchelero, a 5'9 setter, is a three-year starter for Ursuline Academy in St. Louis, MO where she contributed to her teams .739 win percentage (85-30) including a District Championship. She led the team in assists and points, second in digs and service aces last season as a junior. Cinchelero ia a two-time All District selection, an All-Conference selection and a three-time Prepcasts Player of the Game.

Cinchelero plays for St. Louis CYC Volleyball Club, who has qualified for the USAV Junior Olympics the last five years, finishing as high as 5th place in the Open division. As a team captain and assist leader, Cinchelero led the team to a 2nd place finish in the Gateway Regional Championships last year.

"We are ecstatic about the signing class of 2009," said Coach Nowacki. "We are welcoming some very talented athletes and great people into our program. They are all competitors who will make us better the second they step on the floor. They come from great families and we can't wait to get them in the gym!"