Head volleyball coach Jason Oliver has announced the addition of two players to the 2010 High Point University volleyball roster. Freshmen Maddie Simpson and Marin Seifert will join the Panthers for the 2010 season.
Simpson is a setter from Simi Valley, Calif. and helped Royal High School to the 2009 Marmonte League Championship. The team advanced to the second round of the CIF SS Division 1AA playoffs. Simpson was named the Ventura County Star Player of the Year and set the all-time assist record at Royal High School.
“Adding Maddie to the team is huge for us next year and for years to come,” Oliver said. “Her athleticism and setting skills will propel this program to new heights. It is her competitiveness and work ethic are that really set her apart from other players that we were looking at. Maddie’s Royal High School coach Heidi Buonauro and her Point West Mizuno club coach Staci Venski were instrumental in her recruitment to HPU and I want to thank both of them for the support that they gave Maddie during the process. We can’t wait to get Maddie into the gym in August and begin our journey to a Big South Conference Championship.”
Simpson was part of the silver medal winning team at the 2009 Junior Olympics with the Sports Shack Club Team. She is playing with the Point West Mizuno Club for 2010. Simpson was the 2009 Marmonte League MVP and an All-Conference player for three seasons. She was also an L.A. Daily News first team honoree in 2009.
Seifert is La Canada Flintridge, Calif. native who will join the Panthers as a defensive specialist and libero. She was a four-year starter at Flintridge Preparatory School and the team MVP for her final three seasons. She was an All-League player in 2008 and 2009 and a second team All-Area honoree in her senior season. Seifert also played for the Legacy Volleyball Club 18-1’s.
“Marin has been a person that I have always wanted to coach,” Oliver said. “Her passion for volleyball and her personality are so exceptional that you just want to be around her. I am very excited to be adding her to the already talented players that we have in the program and in the 2010 class. She will bring energy, desire, and high expectations to this program. Marin loves HPU and will do everything in her power to help the volleyball team achieve a Big South Championship.”
Simpson and Seifert join middle hitter Michelle Chakirelis and outside hitter Brittany Durham as freshmen on the 2010 roster. The Panthers return 12 players from last season including All-Conference libero Julie Hershkowitz and All-Freshman Team honoree Courtney Johnk. The Panthers also return Audie Gonzalez who was an All-Big South second team selection in 2007 and 2008 before missing last season with an injury. HPU finished the 2009 season with a 17-17 record, ending the season with a 2-3 loss in the quarterfinals of the Big South tournament to eventual champion Coastal Carolina.