Volleyball ended its season by signing two players. Six-foot-2 Allie Falter and 6-foot-0 Lauren Zerante are both blockers who will join next year’s roster.
“They are both middle players, and that is something we are thin in,” coach Sean Burdette said. “When we meet with players we try to sell the entire package – size of the school, the community, really just the people on campus and the family environment.”
Falter was a part of three consecutive NSAA Class-B state championships and earned all-state recognition as a junior. This Nebraska native helped her high school to a combined 135-22 (.860) record during her four-year career.
“We saw Falter throughout the year and saw how she developed throughout the season,” Burdette said. “Her club team teaches blockers very well.”
Zerante helped her club volleyball team to second place at the 2009 JVDA Championship in Louisville, Ky. Last fall she helped her high school to an IHSA sectional runner-up and she earned a special mention in the 2009 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team.
“Zerante is a six-rotation player which means she is in the back row but moves to the front,” Burdette said. “Her competiveness and willingness to find ways to score will add to the team.”
Burdette said the team will potentially add more players and that the door is always open. Next year the team will likely have walk-ons, because they need at least two more players to fill the spots of graduating seniors.
The Braves dropped to Wichita State (0-3) and Missouri (0-3) during their last road trip.
“We didn’t do well,” Burdette said. “It was disappointing for our last road trip, but it was a tough trip against two good teams. Both of the team are top-50 nationally and top regional teams.”
The Braves finished up their season at home dropping to both Drake (2-3) and Creighton (0-3), two teams that will be attending the MVC conference.