Wildcats sign five volleyball players

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University volleyball coach Dominic Yoder recently signed five high school seniors to National Letters of Intent to play for the Wildcats in 2013. The future Wildcats are outside hitters Bridget Bussell and Alex Larsen, liberos Megan Dahl and Meghan Supple, and middle hitter Blaire Zenner.

Bussell is a 6-foot-1 outside-hitter from Traverse City, Mich. She was first team all-state in 2012, second team all-state in 2011, a 2012 Max Prep All-American, three-time first team all-region selection, four-time scholar athlete and two-time all-conference academic at St. Francis High School. The team was the 2012 class C state finalist. She played club for Leland Area.

“Bridget is an extremely versatile and smart player that can play any position at the net,” Yoder said. “I’m excited to see her compete for immediate playing time in her first season.”

Dahl is a 5-foot-6 libero from Andover, Minn. She was an all-conference honorable mention selection and team captain at Totino Grace High School. Dahl broke the school record for digs and her team finished a perfect 10-0 in the conference, two years in a row. She played club for Minnesota Select.

“Megan is an exciting, well-rounded defensive player with tremendous serving and defensive skill,” said Yoder. “She comes from a very successful high school with great knowledge of the game. I expect that her leadership and volleyball skills will significantly improve our team defensively.”

Larsen is a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Cary, Ill. She was named most improved in 2011 and led her team in kills and aces in 2012 at Cary-Grove High School. The team won the state championship in 2009 and was runner-up in 2010 and 2011. She played club for Sky High Volleyball and was named an All-American in 2012 after winning the AAU National Championship.

“Alex is a talented right-side hitter with significant upside and potential,” Yoder added. “She comes from one of the best high school volleyball teams in the state of Illinois. We expect Alex to be an offensive and defensive threat her first season and bring balance to our teams’ consistency in 2013.”

Supple is a 5-foot-3 libero from Hartland, Wis. In four years at Arrowhead High School, she was all-state honorable mention, first team all-conference, second team all-conference, honorable mentionall-conference, fourth team all-area and a two-time team captain. Supple played club for Capital Volleyball Academy.

“Meghan will bring not only exceptional volleyball skill defensively but great energy and communication to our defensive unit,” Yoder said. “She is a very upbeat and competitive player that will challenge our top defensive players for competitive playing time immediately.”

Zenner is a 5-foot-11 middle-hitter from Houghton, Mich. She was the West-PAC player of the year in 2012, two-time all-conference, two-time all-area, most improved (2011) and team captain at Houghton High School. The team was two-time (2010-11) regional, district and conference champions. Zenner played club for Keweenaw Select.

“Blaire is one of the best Upper Peninsula volleyball players,” said Yoder. “She is a very athletic and competitive player with years of camp experience in the Wildcat system. Blaire will challenge our middle and right side for competitive playing time in practice and competitions. We are excited to have her as a Wildcat.”