Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball Announces Four Recruits for 2005 Season
4/28/2005 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
April 28, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Cindy Opalski, the winningest head coach in the history of the Bucknell volleyball program, has announced the commitment of four talented student-athletes who will attend the university and help the Bison compete for a Patriot League Championship next fall. Sheena Czipri, Emilie Hardinge, Elizabeth Hazuka, and Shannon Pitsch have all signed on to join the Bison squad in 2005.
"We are extremely excited about this group of student-athletes," said Opalski. "They are all very athletic, play with a lot of heart, and will add personality to our already strong team chemistry. Our specific intention was to bolster our defensive intensity and integrate those specialty positions with some heavy hitters. The outcome was better than we expected, and we are pleased at the depth this class will give us."
Czipri is a 5-7 outside hitter/libero from Aurora, Ill., who played for West Aurora High School under the direction of Kevin Larson. During her high school career, Czipri was a three-time captain and earned Dupage Valley All-Conference honors and honorable mention selection to the Beacon News All-Area Team. As captain and team MVP of the Kane County Juniors program, she led her team to a fifth place finish at the Asic Junior Nationals in Chicago in 2004. Her accolades extend well beyond the court. She holds a 4.25 GPA and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. She has received her school's Scholar-Athlete Award twice and been selected to the Dupage Valley Conference All-Academic Team four times. She is the daughter of Karl and Mary Czipri and plans to pursue a degree in biology.
"Sheena has a big personality and is a fun player to watch," lauds Opalski. "She is one of those competitors that infuses her teammates with energy and makes everyone around her play at a higher level."
Hazuka is 5-10 terminator and projects as either a middle or outside hitter for the Bison. She is the second Colorado native on the roster, joining sophomore-to-be Tessa Mendez, and hails from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. Her high school team went undefeated in the regular season this fall before suffering their first loss in the Colorado state tournament. Hazuka has numerous years of club volleyball experience and currently plays for Altitude VBC. She also spent time with the Match Point club program and finished in the top 15 at two of the major National Qualifiers - Northern Lights and Crossroads. A stellar student as well, Hazuka holds a 4.079 GPA. She is a member of the National Honor Roll and Principal's Honor Roll and is listed in Who's Who Among High School Students. She is the daughter of Mark and Ann Hazuka and plans to pursue a degree in either psychology or sociology.
"Although at first glance Liz may seem to be a quiet and reserved young woman, she can really deliver some heat from the outside hitting position," Opalski said. "Liz has the potential to ignite a team offensively."
Hardinge is a terrifically versatile athlete that will play either the outside or middle hitter position for the Bison. The 6-footer comes to Bucknell from Darien, Conn., where she played for Darien High School, the top high school program in the state coached by the legendary Laurie Larusso. Hardinge was two-time FCIAC MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year, and she was the recipient of all-state honors for the second time this season. The tri-captain and four-time state champion is also a highly decorated high jumper. Her accolades include three county high jump championships and a state indoor Class S high jump title. Born in London, England, Hardinge is the daughter of the Viscountess, Julie Hardinge, and the late Charles Hardinge.
"Emilie is a dynamic player with terrific athleticism and the vertical jump to challenge any blocker in the Patriot League," said Opalski. "If her transition to the college game is swift, her impact will be immediate."
Pitsch is a 5-9 setter from Oak Brook, Ill., where she was the starting setter for three years at Fenwick High School. During her high school career, Pitsch was a two-time ESCC all-conference player and a two-time Pioneer Press All-Area selection. During her junior year, her team won both regional and sectional championships and finished in the top 16 in the state, capping the season with the best record in school history at 28-8. Pitsch's volleyball experience also includes five years with the highly acclaimed Sports Performance Volleyball Club out of the Chicago area. Her 16's team won the Great Lakes Regional Qualifier and took second at the Mid-East Qualifier to qualify for nationals. A stellar student as well, Pitsch will graduate with honors this spring and currently holds a 3.97 GPA. She has been selected to the academic honor roll every semester during her career, she is a member of the National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar. She is the daughter of David and Starr Pitsch and plans to pursue a degree in psychology.
"Shannon's terrific work ethic, determination and training over the last several years have helped her to develop into an outstanding setter," Opalski noted. Her acclimation to a new system could significantly bolster our team's offensive production."
The incoming quartet will attempt to help Bucknell improve on last year's 14-13 overall record (8-6 Patriot League). The Bison qualified for the Patriot League Tournament again in 2004, but they will have to make up for the loss of First-Team All-Patriot League outside hitter Jackie Leahy, as well as outstanding defenders Carolyn Dougherty and Chelsea Robertson.
