University of Minnesota Athletics
AXEL AND FAIR TO JOIN GOLDEN GOPHER VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
2/3/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Axel, a 5-11 outside hitter, was a five-time letterwinner and three-time all-state player at Buffalo High School, while playing for her coach and father Dennis Axel. Axel joins the Golden Gophers as the most highly prized recruit out of the state of Minnesota this year. She was honored as the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association's 1998 "Ms. Volleyball" and as the 1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions Minnesota High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year. A five-time All- North Suburban Conference selection, Axel led the Bison to four straight undefeated conference championships. She holds Buffalo school records in career kills (1,761), digs (1,258) and service aces (277). Axel plays her club ball with the Northern Lights Volleyball Club. Lisa is the daughter of Dennis and Barbara Axel of Buffalo.
"Lisa is exactly what we were looking for as we assemble the pieces necessary for a run at a championship," said Golden Gopher head coach Mike Hebert. "She's a volleyball junkie from a volleyball family and she's a local player who really wants to be a Gopher. Her defensive and passing skills are at an elite level. Lisa is a `player.'"
Fair, a 6-1 middle blocker, transfers into the Gopher program as a junior after leading Golden West College (Huntington Beach, Calif.) to the California junior college championship a year ago. An excellent all- around talent, Fair was named a second-team junior college All-American in 1998. After graduating from Montclair High School (Calif.), Fair attended the College of Southern Idaho before transferring to Golden West. Charnette is the daughter of Jerry Fair of Ruby, S.C., and B.J. Fair of Riverside, Calif.
"Charnette's athletic ability will turn some heads. Her jump reach is reported to be in the 10 foot, 4 inch range and she can bring some major heat as a quick hitter," said Hebert. "She was the top junior college middle blocker available this year."
Last season, Minnesota finished with a 17-14 record and was nationally ranked for nine consecutive weeks in the AVCA/USA Today Poll.
