Six Volleyball Players Commit to Vikings
ROME, Ga. - Berry College women's volleyball coach Mika Robinson announced today that six student-athletes have declared their intention to enroll at Berry and play for the volleyball team beginning in the fall of 2011. All six newcomers will be freshmen.
"We are truly excited about this class," Robinson said. "All six of these young women have already accomplished a great deal athletically, but more importantly they are excited about continuing to build the tradition of Berry Volleyball. They bring a wide range of skill sets that perfectly complement our returning players, and, just as importantly, they have already become very connected to their future teammates."
The class includes libero Stormy Coppotelli (Washington, Mo./Washington HS), outside hitter Meredith Hopper (Marietta, Ga./Pope HS), middle blocker/right side hitter/outside hitter Gretchen Kaufman (Alpharetta, Ga./Centennial HS), right side hitter/outside hitter Kelsey Lochstampfor (Lookout Mountain, Ga./Chattanooga Christian School), setter Krista Miller (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS), and middle blocker Christine Ricketts (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS).
Berry returns nine players from a team that put together a 22-11 record in 2010. It will open the new season Sept. 2 against Wartburg College at the Pacific Coast Classic in Pomona, Calif.
An in-depth look at each of the six newcomers follows.
STORMY COPPOTELLI
Libero - 5-5 - Washington, Mo. (Washington HS) - Team Momentum Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Washington High School, where she twice earned Academic All-Conference honors...invited to participate in the USA Volleyball High Performance A2 Camp...was an East Central College camp All-Star...team's Most Valuable Player at the East Central College Camp.
Personal: Daughter of Maureen and Terry Coppotelli…plans on becoming a pre-med major at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Coppotelli: "Stormy is a fierce competitor who will make an immediate impact on our passing and defense. Her fiery on-court demeanor will make her a crowd favorite, and her commitment to being a team player makes her a great example of what makes Berry Volleyball great."
MEREDITH HOPPER
Outside Hitter – 5-9 – Marietta, Ga. (Pope HS) – A5 Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Pope High School, which she helped lead to two consecutive state championships…named to senior All-Star team…three-time varsity award winner…junior varsity team's Offensive Most Valuable Player…three-time Scholar-Athlete…helped lead A5 Volleyball Club to two Junior Olympic Qualifier championships… a Berry College Volleyball Camp All-Star.
Personal: Daughter of Sharon and Michael Hopper…plans to major in mathematics or education at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Hopper: "Meredith is a tremendously well-rounded player. She has great ball control and defensive skill, but she is also an extremely explosive attacker. Her skill and athleticism will make an immediate impact for us, but her competitive nature, combined with her sincerity as a teammate, is what really makes her a great fit for Berry Volleyball."
GRETCHEN KAUFMAN
Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter/Outside Hitter – 5-10 – Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial HS) – A5 Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Centennial High School, where she was a two-time All-Region selection…also named team's Most Valuable Player twice…served as team captain…a four-year Scholar-Athlete…earned Dodge Student-Athlete of the Week honor…earned team's Freshman Coach's Award…named Most Valuable Player at the Ampest SpikeFest Tournament.
Personal: Daughter of Suzanne and Scott Kauffman…plans to major in education or psychology at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Kaufman: "Gretchen is an incredibly versatile athlete. She is strong, explosive, and extremely quick laterally. She has the ability to ignite her team and our crowd with both her attacking and blocking skills. Because of her strong academics, heart for her teammates, and incredible work ethic on and off the court, she is already a perfect example of Martha Berry's emphasis on 'head, heart, and hands.'"
KELSEY LOCHSTAMPFOR
Right Side Hitter/Outside Hitter – 5-9 – Lookout Mountain, Ga. (Chattanooga Christian School) – Choo Choo City Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Chattanooga (Tenn.) Christian School…a three-time All-District Selection at CCS…also earned a pair of All-Region awards…team captain…named to Chattanooga Times-Free Press' Best of Preps All-City Team…earned Chattanooga Times-Free Press Player of the Week honors…named team's Best All-Around Player and Most Valuable Player…also earned team's Rookie of the Year award…a Berry College Volleyball Camp All-Star.
Personal: Daughter of Elysa and Matt Lochstampfor…plans to major in exercise science at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Lochstampfor: "Kelsey is a talented athlete who can make an impact in several positions. She has an explosive jump and a fast arm swing. She still has a big upside athletically, and she is equally strong in character and academics."
KRISTA MILLER
Setter – 5-10 – Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter HS) – A5 Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Lassiter High School…helped lead her Lassiter squad to a pair of State Tournament Final Four appearances and three appearances in the Elite Eight..team captain…ranked third in Georgia Class 5A in service aces…named honorable mention All-County by the Marietta Daily Journal…earned Scholar-Athlete Award and Principal's Character Award at Lassiter…high school teammate of fellow Berry incoming freshman Chrissy Ricketts and club teammate of fellow incoming freshmen Meredith Hopper and Gretchen Kaufman.
Personal: Daughter of Donna and Greg Miller…plans to major in pre-med or health sciences at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Miller: "Krista is a skilled setter who has played on high level club teams. All of her previous coaches have consistently praised her work ethic and her desire to be her best. We know that we will get her best effort every time she steps on the court, and she is passionate about helping us take Berry Volleyball to the next level."
CHRISTINE RICKETTS
Middle Blocker – 6-3 – Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter HS) - TCA Volleyball Club
Prior to Berry: Attended Lassiter High School…helped lead team to a pair of Final Four appearances in the Georgia State Tournament, and three Elite Eight tournament showings…team captain…earned team's Coach's Award…also earned Coach's Award at Berry College Volleyball Camp…helped TCA Volleyball Club team qualify for Junior Olympic National Tournament and win three tournament championships…high school teammate of fellow Berry incoming freshman Krista Miller.
Personal: Daughter of Cindy and Matthew Ricketts…plans to major in psychology or kinesiology at Berry.
Coach Robinson on Ricketts: "Chrissy's height is the first thing that people will notice, but her work ethic and heart become equally evident very quickly. She is a natural leader who will help push our program to the next level. She has a tremendous upside and is willing to do the work to reach her potential."
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