Volleyball Inks a Pair to National Letters of Intent
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 16, 2014) - On Wednesday, LIU Post Head Volleyball Coach
Shellane Ogoshi (Levittown, N.Y.) revealed the signing of two recruits to National Letters of Intent.
Heather Ball (Gilbert, Ariz.) and
Danielle Valenza (Hauppauge, N.Y.) will join the Pioneers in their defense of an NCAA Division II East Region title in 2014.
Ball was a three-year varsity starter at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Over that time, she was the state's leading blocker, and earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors. Ball also helped the Tigers to an Arizona State Championship in 2011.
Over her final two seasons at Gilbert, she played in a total of 226 sets, slamming down a combined total of 459 kills. In addition, Ball went up for 358 blocks, 96 of which were solo opportunities.
"Heather has a great presence on and off the court. We are looking for her to come in and fill the middle position for us. She has great height and athleticism," Ogoshi said. "Heather has been playing for a very competitive club out in Arizona, and we are incredibly excited to see what she will be able to contribute for our program in the upcoming years."
Meanwhile, Valenza hails as a nearby Long Islander from Hauppauge High School in Hauppauge, N.Y. In three seasons with the Eagles' volleyball team, she was a two-time All-League IV, All-Suffolk County and All-Suffolk County Tournament Team honoree.
During the 2013 campaign, Valenza, who shattered her own school mark for most kills in a season (452), had her best showing yet. She garnered League IV Player of the Year kudos, and was chosen to Newsday's All-Long Island Volleyball Team. Two seasons earlier, Valenza set the Hauppauge single-season record for most blocks with 70.
"Danielle is a very strong, versatile and competitive player who will be able to contribute a lot to our program right away," stated Ogoshi. "We are still not certain what role she will be taking on for us next year or throughout her career here, whether it is in an outside, middle or right-side capacity. However, I am certain that whichever position it will be, Danielle will come in and make a positive impact."
Ball and Valenza will make their collegiate debuts with the Pioneers on Sept. 5 at the Springhill Suites Invitational, hosted by University of Alaska Anchorage.