Bronte adds 6 transfers to Hawks

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The excitement for the 2012 volleyball season is clear in Maura Bronte’s voice.

“I’m so fired up,” she said, smiling.

The Dickinson State head coach began preparing for her second year long before the first ended. Now she is beginning to see those efforts pay off.

This week, Bronte released a group of six junior college transfers she believes will help the program bounce back from last year’s winless season.

Bronte expects setters Melissa Avila and Jen Sager to have immediate impacts for the Blue Hawks, who had a 0-26 record last season.

The two transfers from the California junior college ranks will be juniors.

“(They are) already on the phone with me wanting game film, trying to figure out who’s coming back, attacker-wise, how to connect with them, figuring out offensive systems,” Bronte said. “I’m fired up about them.”

Also being looked at to make an immediate impact is Linaya Schroeder, a 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter and Chamberlain, Saskatchewan, native who spent the past two seasons playing for Vernon (Texas) College.

“She can put it wherever she wants to put it,” Bronte said. “Any shot in the book, she has. Undersized, but smart.”

Bronte also stressed defense in her recruiting, adding three defensive specialists and liberos.

Alexxus Fisher, a transfer from Sacramento (Calif.) City College, came to DSU for the 2012 spring semester.

Chelsea Seibel, a Buthane, Saskatchewan, native and teammate of Schroeder’s at Vernon, and Natasha Malana, a libero from Consumnes River College (Calif.), will arrive next fall.

“We’re definitely not going to be a big, physical team,” Bronte said. “We’re going to be that team that kind of just sticks in your side and you can’t put a ball down on. I don’t mind being that team. I like it. … I needed some ball control, I needed some consistency.”

The only players not returning from last season’s roster, Bronte said, are senior Jennifer Hartman and junior Brianny Williams.

Hartman, who was named DSU’s female athlete of the year, will be Bronte’s student assistant coach.

Bronte said having most of last year’s team back is something she really didn’t expect.

“Was last season ideal? No. Would I have changed it from how they responded? No,” Bronte said. “They joke around about being forged in fire. It’s probably the best team I’ve ever seen. They came together and worked hard. I didn’t have a single kid miss a workout in the spring. Coming from a record when you’re 0-26, you typically have big turnaround. I don’t. That’s awesome.”

DSU volleyball recruits

Melissa Avila: Jr., Setter, 5-9, Gilroy, Calif., Gavilian College (Calif.)

Alexxus Fisher: Jr., DS/L, 5-8, Woodland, Calif., Sacramento (Calif.) City College

Natasha Malana: Jr., DS/Libero, 5-2, Elk Grove, Calif., Consumnes River College (Calif.)

Jen Sager: Jr., Setter, 5-7, Grass Valley, Calif., Sierra College (Calif.)

Linaya Schroeder: Jr., OH, 5-8, Chamberlain, Saskatchewan, Vernon (Texas) College

Chelsea Seibel: Jr., Libero, 5-4, Buthane, Saskatchewan, Vernon (Texas) College

DSU volleyball camp dates scheduled

Dickinson State’s volleyball camps begin June 6 and continue to June 10 for players grades 3-12.

The FUNdamental Camp is June 6 with a morning session for grades 3-4 and an afternoon session for grades 5-6. The camp cost is $30 and includes a t-shirt.

The All Skills Camp for grades 7-9 runs June 7 and 8. The camp cost is $80 and includes lunch, dinner and a t-shirt.

The College Bound Camp for grades 10-12 is June 9 and 10. The camp cost is $120 and includes meals, lodging and a t-shirt.

For more information, or to sign up, contact DSU head volleyball coach Maura Bronte at 701-483-2035.

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