Patti Cook, head coach for Westmont Volleyball, has announced the signing of three new recruits for the 2012 season – Sydney Striff of Valencia High School in Valencia, Missy Fuerst of Capital Christian High School in Sacramento and Sarah Pierson of Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, Texas.
SYDNEY STRIFF
Striff (5-11) will play at the outside hitter and right-side hitter positions. Playing for Valencia, where she served as team captain, Striff was named to the All-Foothill League first team as well as the All-Santa Clarita Valley first team. At the 2011 Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Striff was named to the All-Tournament Team. Striff and the Vikings also participated in the inaugural AAU interscholastic beach volleyball championship in Santa Monica where they won the tournament.
“Sydney is a strong attacker, puts up a formidable block and is super athletic,” said Cook. “She has had excellent coaching and competition at the high school and club level, which has prepared her well for the college game. Watching her develop over the past year has shown me that she will be a tremendous asset to our team.”
In addition to her high school career, Striff played seven years for Legacy Volleyball Club. This past season she and her teammates on the 17-1 team won the Phoenix Volleyball Festival.
MISSY FUERST
Standing at six foot, two inches, Fuerst is also expected to see action at the outside hitter and right-side hitter positions. A three-year varsity player at Capital Christian, Fuerst was twice honored as Offensive MVP of the Golden Empire League and named to the All-GEL first team. As a senior, Fuerst was further honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
“We are thrilled to have Missy join the team and add a bit of height as well as a diverse offense to our front row,” said Cook. “Her high point of attack is very effective and her ball control allows her to place the ball where she wants. I anticipate a high ceiling on her game and am excited to see where her excellent attitude and work ethic takes her.”
Fuerst was honored with the Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete award as a senior and is a four-time scholar-athlete award recipient. She was also named twice to the academic all-league team.
SARAH PIERSON
Pierson was a three-year varsity player at Trinity Valley where she twice was named the Offensive MVP. A two-time team captain, Pierson was named to the All-Southwest Prep League as a senior. Pierson played club ball for the Premier 18 Mizuno Black team for whom she served as team captain this past season.
“Sarah is coming on the squad as a redshirt for us during the upcoming season,” said Cook. “She will be training as a defensive specialist and improving on an already talented skill set obtained from playing on a high level club team in Texas. I’m excited to have her join our team and know she will add a lot to our squad, as she is an energetic and dynamic player.”
