CHICAGO- DePaul head volleyball coach Amy Kleyweg announced today the signing of five student-athletes to a National Letter-of-Intent. Four members of the Blue Demons class of 2010 hail from Illinois - Charla Drabant from Wheaton, Jacie Fiedler from Richmond, Kyndell Highland from Bloomington and Christine Landschoot from Western Springs - while Kate Letcher is from West Lafayette, Indiana.
"I am very excited about the class of 2010; especially since it is my first recruiting class here at DePaul," Kleyweg said. "All five student-athletes come from experienced and competitive club and high school programs in the Midwest, and each will have an immediate impact in our program."
Drabant, a 6-0 outside hitter, is a three-time DuPage Valley Conference honoree joins the Blue Demons after a successful career at Wheaton North. "Charla is an amazing athlete and has great ball control," Kleyweg said.
Fiedler stands at 6-2 and is the tallest member of the 2010 class. An outstanding middle blocker, Fiedler helped her Richmond-Burton High School team to their fifth consecutive 20-win season behind multiple double-digit kill performances. "I am excited to work with Jacie," Kleyweg said. "She will be a great player to keep an eye and watch develop during her career."
Highland, a 5-11 outside hitter from the Illini Elite Club in Normal, joins the Blue Demons after an outstanding career at University High School. "Kyndell has a great attitude which is evident in her passion for the game," Kleyweg said. "Kyndell will be a vocal leader and will have to pass, play defense and terminate at the net for us to be successful."
Landschoot, a 5-10 setter led her Lyons Township High School team to the IHSA Super-Sectional last week. "Christy has some of the best hands in the country and has a great feel and touch on the ball" Kleyweg said.
Letcher is a 6-1 middle blocker and the 2006 Journal Courier Big School Volleyball Player of the Year. "Kate already has a lot of experience at a high level of play as her club team, Circle City is very competitive and full of Division I players," Kleyweg said. "Kate is very quick along the net and has exceptional blocking skills.
The Blue Demons close out the 2006 season this weekend, welcoming West Virginia and Pittsburgh to McGrath Arena. DePaul tangles with the Mountaineers on Saturday and the Panthers on Sunday, both matches are slated to begin at 2 p.m.
