BOULDER ? Schylur Edelman, Kristin Martell, Kristen ?Rosie’ Steinhaus, and Kirsten Wicks have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and participate in the volleyball program at the University of Colorado for the 2007-08 season, Colorado Head Coach Pi’i Aiu announced today.
“We think we got a really nice class,” Aiu said. “We think we addressed a lot of our needs. We are bringing in some players who are good players and don’t necessarily fall into a slot.”
Edelman, a Sterling, Colo., native, is a middle blocker. Edelman was a four-year letterwinner at Sterling High School in volleyball and basketball. Her junior year, she helped lead her team to the state 4A championship with an unblemished record at 31-0. Edelman was named the 4A Player of the Year and earned Prepvolleyball All-American status. She earned all-state and all-conference honors for the second time in her career. Edelman’s high school team was also the district champion in 2003 and 2004. Edelman was also recruited by St. Mary’s, Nebraska and UNLV.
“Schylur comes from a smaller club program, but one that has certainly gotten a lot of attention the last few years for the players they’ve had,” Aiu said. “So she’s used to being in the spotlight. She brings the drive and the work ethic that a small town kids brings to a program. We are really excited about her and think she is going to be a good player.”
Martell, a native of The Woodlands, Texas, has earned four letters at The Woodlands High School on the volleyball team. Martell is a middle blocker and a right side hitter. As a junior, Martell was named the Montgomery Country Player of the Year. She helped her team defeat Austin Bowie, the top team in the state. Martell was also named the District 14-5A Best Blocker of the Year, TWHS Offensive Player of the Year and a Houston Chronicle two-time Female Athlete of the Week, all in 2005. In 2004, Martell was named to the honorable mention District 14-5A team. Martell was also recruited by SMU, Baylor, Hawai’i, Texas-San Antonio, Kentucky, Auburn, Miami, Florida State, New Mexico State and LSU.
“Martell brings a physicalness to our middle that will keep us where we need to be,” Aiu said. “Both Lara and Austin kind of play a similar game to Martell, but she will be a little more physical and might touch a little higher. She’s a great athlete; she’s moves well and jumps well. She can put some heat behind the ball.”
Steinhaus, a Flagstaff, Ariz., native, helped lead Flagstaff High School to a 30-6 regular season record her senior season. Through 36 games, she has averaged 3.77 kills per game. A middle blocker, Steinhaus has recorded 419 kills and 60 blocks this year (35 solo and 25 assists). Steinhaus is in the record book at FHS and owns the record in kills for a single season (419). She also ranks third in kills in a match (31), fourth in season hitting percentage (.285) and fifth in total attacks per season (1,026) and kills per match for a middle blocker (20). Steinhaus is ranked 86th of all recruits for the class of 2007 by Prepvolleyball.com. Steinhaus chose Colorado over Arizona, Northern Arizona, St. Mary’s, Pacific, Montana and Cal Poly.
“Rosie is also a fairly physical player,” Aiu said. “She has played in a fairly small program, but she is playing for a difference club this coming season and I think that will help her. She’s a great kid and she brings above-average intelligence as a 4.0 student.”
Wicks, a Wheaton, Ill., native, was a four-time all-conference selection. As a senior, the outside hitter recorded 277 kills, 80 kills and hit .362 as she led Wheaton Warrenville South to a 31-6 record. Wicks owns the school record in kills with 1,036, and became the 35th player in the Illinois High School Association to record 1,000 career-kills. She also served up 182 aces for her career. So far this year, Wicks has been named to the Daily Herald All-Area Team and the Autumnfest All-Tournament Team. During a match her sophomore year, Wicks recorded 18 kills and hit .875. Wicks was also recruited by Texas, Missouri, Miami, Kentucky and Hawai’i.
“Wicks brings an intense competitiveness,” Aiu said. “We had her in camp this summer, as we had all of the recruits. in camp this summer. She kind of drove that team when they played together. She’s come up through one of the great club programs in the country and she knows how to play the game and win.”
“Kirsten Wicks is definitely an outside hitter,” Aiu said. “I don’t see her playing too many other positions, but she could play both right and left for us. Kristen Martell is a middle and that is probably where she will play for us. She is going to have a big impact on the middle, maybe even as soon as next year. Rosie is a player who could play anywhere for us. She will probably see a lot of time in the middle early in her career. She’s so versatile and can do a lot of different things. Edelman is the same way. I think she can be successful here in a bunch of different positions.”
Colorado is 14-9 overall and is 10-6 in the Big 12. The Buffs host top-ranked Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.
--COLORADO VOLLEYBALL--
