MARQUETTE, Mich. - Tracy Hruska, the interim headvolleyball coach at Northern Michigan University, has announced that AshleyKiel and Kristen Wheeler have both signed a National Letter of Intent to playvolleyball for the Wildcats beginning in the fall of 2003. "Both of these players will allow us tohave more depth in our outside/right side position," Hruska said. "These are two very versatile athletesthat can play all the way around."
Kiel (5-11) from Allenton, Wis. and Kettle MoraineLutheran High School led her team to the Wisconsin High School StateChampionship this past season. She was athird team all-state selection and was ranked as one of the top 18 players inthe state of Wisconsin as a senior. Forthis past season she was the Conference Player of the Year, first teamall-conference, the Most Valuable Player and was named to the ArrowheadAll-Tournament Team. As a junior herteam was state runner-up as she was selected to the All-State TournamentTeam. In 2001, Kiel was a second teamall-conference selection, all-state honorable mention pick and a member of the MilwaukeeJournal-Sentinel All-Area Team as an honorable mention selection. Atnationals in Utah, she was selected as an All-American. "Ashley will be coming in and competingfor the outside position," Hruskasaid. "She brings a lot ofexperience having played in a highly competitive high school and club. She is a play maker that will help us intough situations."
Wheeler (5-10) from Omaha, Neb. and Millard North HighSchool led her team in kills (238) and digs (193) for the past season. She was also a team captain, an all-metrohonorable mention selection and an all-state honorable mention pick for2002. Wheeler was selected as anAll-First Team National Division of the Metro Conference. She is a three-year varsity starter and as ajunior her team finished third at the state tournament. "Kristen joins us also will a lot ofexperience. Her high school and clubteam competed against current Wildcat Holly Greenamyre's team," Hruskasaid. "Kristen will train on boththe right and left. She is a playerthat will bring height and an aggressive attitude to our court."
