Volleyball Signs Three For Next Season

Nov. 21, 2005

GREELEY, Colo. - University of Northern Colorado head women's volleyball coach Lyndsey Benson announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent during the early signing period on Monday. Allison Raguse (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Lutheran H.S.), Kristen Schevikhoven (Centennial, Colo./Eaglecrest H.S.) and Breanna VanDerMost (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rampart H.S.) will join the Bears program next season.

"These three student-athletes are exactly what we were looking for to advance our program," Benson said. "They are great students and tremendous athletes. All three will see playing time early in their career as we build toward a Big Sky Championship. This was our first class that we were able to recruit and tell them that when they begin their career, they will have a renovated gym, a conference home and eligibility for the NCAA tournament. It is evident that we were able to recruit a much more elite player with those conditions."

Raguse (6'0, OH/MH) attends Lincoln Lutheran High and will play club volleyball for the Nebraska Juniors Volleyball Club. Her high school team won the State Championship her junior year and finished second this year. She is the daughter of Darin and Janet Raguse and is undecided on a college major.

"Allison is a great fit for where our program is headed in the Big Sky," Benson said. "She is a versatile hitter that hits very well off of one foot. She can pass and play defense well for her size. Allison will have a great career here and challenge for play time early in her freshmen season."

Schevikhoven (5'9, S) attends Eaglecrest High School and plays club volleyball for the Front Range Volleyball Club. She led the Raptors squad to a No. 1 state ranking for most of the season and a Final Four finish at this year's state championships. She earned 5A All-State honors from the Rocky Mountain News following the season. She is the daughter of John and Sue Schevikhoven and is undecided on a college major.

"Kristen is probably the most polished athlete we have ever recruited here," Benson said. "With her experience as a hitter on her No. 1 ranked high school team and her training as a setter with Front Range Volleyball Club, we expect to see her make everyone around her better immediately. She is a huge steal for us in the setting position."

VanDerMost (5'5, DS) attends Rampart High School and plays club with the Colorado Juniors Volleyball Club. Although she will play in the defensive specialist role at Northern Colorado, she is currently playing outside hitter for the Rams and ranks second on the team in kills. She was an all-state honorable mention in 2005. She is the daughter of Mike and Lauri VanDerMost and plans to major in psychology at Northern Colorado.

"Breanna will become a fan favorite," Benson said. "She plays with as much enthusiasm and fire as anyone that I have seen. She will help our ball control and defense next year which will be a priority in our taking our program to the next level."

The Northern Colorado volleyball team is in its third-year of the reclassification process to Division I. The team will become official members of the Big Sky Conference in 2006-07 and be eligible for NCAA postseason honors in that season.