Kritza Adds Five More For 2010 Season

BOULDER- The rebuilding of the University of Colorado volleyball team continues as head coach Liz Kritza has announced the addition of five more student-athletes, two transfers and three preps, to play volleyball and continue their education at CU, including a key transfer in the setting position, Alyssa Valentine, 2008 Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year.

Jessica Aschenbrenner, Kat Constantine and Ali Flynn will all enter CU in the fall as freshman, while Richelle Bigelow transfers from the University of Buffalo and Valentine joins the Buffs after two seasons at George Washington University. The 2010 class now has nine freshmen and six transfers; including seven athletes from Colorado.

"We have worked incredibly hard in this first year of recruiting to assure that the volleyball program here is on solid footing as soon as possible after the coaching transition," Kritza said. "There has been a great tradition of success in this program in the past with Pi'i Aiu and we want to provide that source of pride for the university as well with this group.

"Every player joining this program is fully committed to bringing that success back on the court, in the classroom and in the community. This is a rather large class in numbers, and is diverse in many senses, but the common characteristics that permeate this class are: consistent diligence, pursuit of excellence in every area, and great spirit and pride for their university. These young women will make their mark on this program, this university community, and eventually the world. We are proud to call them Buffs."

Jessica Aschenbrenner

"Jessica is a quintessential team player who has good all-around volleyball skills," Kritza explained. "She has great prep experience in a winning program and has learned from one of most respected coaches in the state. She will continue her development here as an accomplished student-athlete and person. Having Colorado players stay close to home is an important part of the future success of this program and we are happy to add such a fine young woman to our family."

Aschenbrenner is a 5-11 outside hitter from Denver, Colo. She earned a pair of letters from Cherry Creek High School and helped the Bruins to a pair of state tournament appearances. The team won the 2009 Colorado 5A Championship with an unblemished record of 31-0, defeating Grandview in three sets. In her senior year, the Bruins advanced to the quarterfinals; finishing with a 21-8 record.

"I cannot wait to join the team at the University of Colorado," Aschenbrenner said. "I look forward to a future filled with fun, excitement, hard work, and unbelievable experiences."

During her senior year, she recorded 271 kills and just 98 errors on 767 attacks to hit .226. Aschenbrenner added 34 block solos and 25 block assists and 221 digs in 96 sets. She was a member of Club 5280 in Denver.

"Jessica is a true team player," Cherry Creek High School coach Sally Moos said. "She is a good all-around athlete and has a balanced approach to her volleyball game. She is the type of player that can energize the team and get them moving in the right direction. She will do well at the next level."

Richelle "Richi" Bigelow

"Richi is a determined, hard working young woman who will thrive in the positive and challenging environment we have created in this program," Kritza said. "As a transfer student, she has taken the time to really decide what she wants for her future and I applaud her efforts to pursue those goals and am certain we can help her reach them here at CU. She is a strong athlete and with her two years of college playing experience, we expect her to have a smooth transition into our system."

Bigelow transfers to CU after two seasons (2007 and 2008) at the University of Buffalo and is a 5-9 outside

hitter from Littleton, Colo. Bigelow played in 53 sets as a sophomore and 52 in her freshman season. During those two years, she recorded 256 kills (2.44 kills per set), 245 digs (2.33 digs per set) and 30 blocks (.29 blocks per set). Bigelow was a UB Scholar Athlete both seasons.

"I am excited to join the program at CU," she said. "I can't wait to help this program reach new heights."

The Dakota Ridge High School standout earned three letters and served as captain for one season for head coach Brad Kroth. As a senior she earned first team all-conference honors and was a second team selection as a sophomore. Bigelow was a two-time academic all-state selection. Upon her return to Colorado, she took an assistant coaching position with Juggernaut Volleyball club for the 2010 club season coaching the 18-1 team.

"Richi is a grounded, intense and competitive young player. She has worked very hard to make this move a huge positive for her and I expect that she will thrive at Colorado. Above all, she has a strong character and work ethic and is an excellent role model for the girls she coaches," said Tom Pasko, club director and coach for Juggernauts Volleyball Club.

Kat Constantine

"We are excited to add Kat to the Buffs' program because I know she will bring great energy and enthusiasm to everything she does," Kritza said. "She has a great competitive drive and will provide good ball control as a libero or defensive specialist as we raise the level of this program. She is very mature minded young woman and has chosen CU for all the right reasons. She will represent this program and the university well."

Constantine is a 5-6 setter and defensive specialist from Saratoga, Calif. She played two seasons for St. Francis Mountaiview, helping the Lancers to a 27-6 season in 2009 and an 18-11 record in 2008. Kat played club volleyball for City Beach Volleyball club where she was a libero and a setter as well as for Delta Valley VBC, where she currently plays.

"Boulder is my dream school because it has so much to offer with the gorgeous surroundings, great academics, and competitive athletics," Constantine said. "I could not be happier with my decision and I cannot wait to be part of a great team."

"Kat is a wonderful girl with great spirit." St. Francis Mountainview coach Leahi Hall said. "She will be an energetic addition to the team and her love for the game will make her a valuable asset to CU. Kat's determination will help her thrive as a Buff and we look forward to watching her continued success."

ALI FLYNN

"Ali is an important addition to the Buffaloes' family as she is the epitome of a successful student-athlete," Kritza noted. "She provides important depth in the right side hitter and middle blocker positions with good physical size and is completely committed to her pursuit of excellence in all she does. We are excited that she will don a Buffs jersey and represent this university."

Flynn is a 6-2 outside hitter from Aptos, Calif. She earned three letters at AHS and led the Mariners in kills as a junior and senior. Flynn recorded 235 kills as a senior and notched 197 her junior year. AHS won the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Championship in 2006 and '09. She was named first team all-league her senior year as well and to the Harbor High Invitational All-Tournament team.

"I chose to come to Colorado because it just feels right," Flynn explained. "The great education and the bright future of the program are a perfect combination for me."

She played for the Vision VBC in 2010 and was a member of the Main Beach VBC for four seasons. As a junior, Flynn helped Main Beach to an 18-1 record. Her team won the California Kickoff Tournament and the Southern California Junior National Qualifier; as well as the Silver Division at the USAV Junior Olympics.

"Ali is a very talented player and I have seen her improve and develop in the time I have worked with her. She will only get better as she maked this big step to the next level and I look forward to watching her succeed," said Jen Bryan, Los Aptos High School coach.

ALYSSA VALENTINE

"Alyssa really is a perfect finale for this recruiting class.," Kritza said. "She is an accomplished setter with a great prep and club career. Her transition to the college game was a successful one and she will continue to excel in her transition here to CU. She is a fierce competitor and is adept in running the floor in a fast paced offense, both qualities we were seeking in a setter to add to this program to start the ascent in the national rankings."

Valentine will be a junior in the fall and transfers to CU from George Washington. She is a 5-10 setter from Tustin, Calif. and led the Colonials to a 21-12 overall record (8-7 Atlantic-10) in 2009. Valentine averaged 10.71 assists per set which was second in the conference, and helped GWU to a .211 hitting percentage. She was named the 2008 A-10 Rookie of the Year after averaging 9.39 assists per set. Valentine earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors six times and was named the MVP of the GW invitational and the DC Challenge All-Tournament Team. She also serves as assistant coach for Metro

American VBC, where she coaches a 15-year-old girls team.

"I can't wait for season to get started," Valentine said. "I know that with such high caliber players and a talented, driven coaching staff, Colorado is going to turn some heads next year."

As a first team All-Sunset League and All-Sea View League member at Edison High School, Valentine helped the Chargers to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Championships. Valentine played for one of the most prestigious clubs in the national, TCA, and was coached by the club director and USA Developmental Coach of the Year in 2009, Neil Mason. Her club team, TCA-18 Third Degree Black, won the national championship for the 18 open division at the USA Volleyball junior Olympics in 2008.

"Alyssa is a great addition for Colorado as they are working to improve the level of their program. She is a great kid, a strong competitor and I have no doubt she will do big things for them," said Neil Mason, club director and coach at TCA.

Kritza, along with her staff, are very pleased with the incoming talent for the upcoming 2010 season.

"This recruiting class is a product of a true team effort," she said. "Our assistant coaches, Meg Henican and Tom Hogan were extremely diligent and persistent in their recruiting efforts as this was quite an undertaking, to bring so many players. Our support staff, compliance, and administration were very willing to help and meet with recruit after recruit as we continued through the year."

2010 Recruiting Class

Name Pos. Ht. Hometown/School/Volleyball Club/Previous School

Emily Alexis OH/RS 5-11 Brighton, Colo./Prairie View/Front Range

Jessica Aschenbrenner OH 5-11 Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek High School/Club 5280

Megan Beckwith L/DS 5-10 Leesburg, Va./Heritage/Virginia Elite

Kat Constantine S/DS 5-6 Saratoga, Calif./St. Francis Mountainview/Delta Valley

Ali Flynn RS/OH 6-2 Aptos, Calif./Aptos/Vision

Nichole Lindow MB 6-2 Erie, Colo./Centaurus/Front Range

Elysse Richardson L/S 5-3 Vienna, Va./Langley/Virginia Elite

Morgan Tholen RS/OH 5-10 Lake Quivira, Kan./St. James Academy/K.C. Extreme

Hannah Walker L/DS 5-5 Peyton, Colo./Colorado Springs Christian/Colorado Juniors

2010 Transfers