ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University head volleyball coach Brady Starkey is pleased to announce the signing of three student-athletes to NCAA National Letters of Intent. Michelle Graham, Kara Pioske and Cassie Haag will join the contention of Golden Bears for the 2009 season.
"We are fired up about our 2009 recruiting class, what we feel could be one of the most athletic recruiting classes we have had here at Concordia," said Starkey. "All three players come from successful programs in both high school and Junior Olympics and will bring a lot of experience with them. We feel that all three have their best volleyball ahead of them and we are looking for them to do great things here at CU."
Michelle Graham is a 5-10 setter and outside hitter from Woodbury, Minn. Due to graduate from Woodbury High School this year, Graham is a four-time volleyball letterwinner. She racked up over 900 assists as a junior and, as a senior in a 6-2 offense, came up with more than 500 assists while also hitting at a .399 clip. Graham was named All-State Honorable Mention in 2008 and was All-Conference both her junior and senior seasons. She guided her Royals to a fourth place finish in 2007. Her JO team took second place at nationals in 2007 and fifth place in 2008. Graham is a member of the "B" honor roll and is also active in choir.
"Michelle is a great athlete who brings with her a ton of versatility," explained Starkey. "She has the ability ot set and run a team at a high level, as well as hit and terminate balls as a dominant hitter."
From Waconia, Minn. and due to graduate from Waconia High School is Kara Pioske. A 5-10 outside hitter, Pioske holds three letters in volleyball and two in track & field. She is the school record-holder for kills after surpassing the 1,000 mark. She helped the Wildcats win three consecutive Wright County Conference championships (2006-08). She is a three-time All-Conference athlete who was named All-State and All-Metro Third Team in 2008. She made the KDVZ All-Area Team twice and led her team in kills three times. Pioske is a member of NHS, the A-Honor Roll, Academic All-Conference and Academic All-State.
"Kara is a solid all-around player who will be a great six-rotation player for us. She has the ability to terminate balls with the best hitters, as well as serve receive and play great defense," said Starkey.
Cassie Haag comes to Concordia University from Southwest Christian High School in Plymouth, Minn., the same program that developed CU's Emily Palkert. 5-11 Haag is a multi-sport athlete who has earned four letters in both volleyball and basketball. A middle hitter at the net, Haag went over 1,000 career kills in volleyball while earning two All-State bids. She was also a two-time All-Conference athlete and made the All-Tournament Team at the 2008 State tournament, where her squad took third place. Haag led her team with 31 kills and 28 digs in the consolation match. Haag is also a standout basketball athlete, having notched over 1,000 points as she enters her senior season. She led the state in blocked shots her sophomore and junior seasons and also raked in All-State and All-Conference accolades.
"Cassie is a gifted athlete that has the potential to hit well above the block and be a dominant force blocking opponents at the net," Starkey commented. "Due to her size, it will surprise people that she is also a solid back row player.
