University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hold Nation's Fourth-Best Recruiting Class
5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Minnesota volleyball program's recent recruiting class was ranked fourth-best in the nation, according to prepvolleyball.com's John Tawa.
Minnesota's recruiting class includes some of the nation's top recruits in No. 5 recruit Stephanie Samedy (6-2, RS, Clermont, Fla.), No. 16 Jasmyn Martin (6-3, OH, Brooklyn Park, Minn.), No. 44 Sydney Kleinman (6-2, OH, Frisco, Texas), No. 69 Sara Nielsen (5-11, S, Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Lauren Barnes (5-6, DS/L, Naperville, Ill.), and Alice Zeimann (6-0, OH, Christchurch, New Zealand).
Martin and Zeimann joined the Gopher program this past January, while the remaining class is set to join the team this summer.
Prep Volleyball's comments on Minnesota's 2017 recruiting class:
Minnesota's 2017 recruiting class has some big shoes to fill with six graduating seniors, including National POY Sarah Wilhite. They are up to the task, asserts the Golden Gophers' coaching staff, which calls its quintet "a very complete class, by position, talent and ability to compete." Four recruits rank among the Top 100 Senior Aces according to PrepVolleyball.com, led by No. 5 Samedy, a rare six-rotation right side who can serve, dig and crush the back row attack. Samedy is a shutdown right side block and also can attack efficiently anywhere along the net, any tempo, and will bury the ball with range. Martin, No. 16 in the Senior Aces, is a superb athlete: long, fast and coordinated. On campus since the spring, Martin is every improving and has outstanding potential both in the back row and as a terminator with range. Kleinman, Senior Ace No. 44, has battled injuries this club season but, when right, hits the ball as hard as anybody and is a capable scorer out of system as well. She has a point-scoring serve, the potential to pass capably and, being a tough competitor, does not fear big moments. Nielsen is a Sports Performance setter. For many that's enough said, given how much success SPVB assist makers have had collegiately. No. 69 in the Senior Aces, the ever-improving Nielsen is a "hitter's setter" in that she makes savvy decisions and, with her great touch and ability to locate, sets a very hittable ball. Nielsen can also defend and puts up a solid block at the net. Barnes, a converted hockey player turned libero, completes the class domestically. Coming to the game late, this tough as nails athlete has great upside. She's fast, fearless, has good feel for the passing game and can take a hit. Minnesota also has one foreign recruit coming in: Kiwi Alice Zeimann, a 6-0 OH with a strong beach pedigree. She brings a solid back court game, good range offensively and is a sneaky good blocker.
