Volleyball Signs Three
November 13, 2002 | Volleyball
The University of Wisconsin volleyball program signed three athletes to national letters of intent, coach Pete Waite announced today. Amy Bladow from Monument, Colo.; Lindsey Boler from Destrehan, La.; and Maria Carlini from LaSalle, Ontario, have signed to play with the Badgers beginning in the fall of 2003.
"As a staff we had some specific needs we went after in this class. We wanted size, athleticism, and mental toughness with this group," explained Waite. "I'm really happy with all three of these players because they'll bring all of that and more. This is also a trio of really positive, outgoing kids. I think they'll be great additions to our line-up. This is a strong class, and the people in it are capable of coming in and making us better right away."
The 14th-ranked Badgers lose three seniors to graduation 'outside hitters Erin Byrd and Lori Rittenhouse, and middle blocker Amy Hultgren.
Bladow, a 6-1 middle blocker, attends Lewis-Palmer High School, which recently won the Colorado State 4A championship for the second consecutive year. She was named the state 4A most valuable player by the Denver Post and was named to the state all-tournament team and will play in the all-state games. Bladow is a two-time all-state selection. She also competes in basketball, where she set the school record for most points scored in a game, and in track, where she is a three-time state high jump champion and holds the Colorado 4A record at 5-9. Bladow is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Bladow competes with the Pikes Peak Volleyball Club under coaches Chris Gisslen and Erik Sullivan, which finished fifth at the 2002 Junior Olympics.
"One of the many things we like about Amy is that she's a champion, a real winner," says Waite. "She has a strong, competitive personality and she really fights hard for something she wants. Amy carries herself with a lot of confidence and that attitude helps everyone around her play better. I think Amy will bring the intangibles that make the difference between good and great teams."
Boler is a 6-0 middle blocker but may move to outside hitter in college. She competed in the 2002 USA Junior National Team A2 program and is a two-time all-state selection. Boler competes at John Curtis High School and with the Cajunland Volleyball Club under coach Greg Castillo.
"Lindsey is a phenomenal athlete with one of the fastest arms I've seen," says Waite. "She's lightening quick off the ground and can be an explosive attacker. Lindsey comes from the same volleyball club as (former UW All-American) Lizzy Fitzgerald so we're hoping she can follow the same path of success Lizzy did. She comes from a great high school (John Curtis) that has produced many state football championships and division I football players. They know how to develop winners and prepare them for college. I'm really looking forward to having Lindsey join us; she'll make us more physical right away."
Carlini, a 6-2 middle blocker, was the captain of the 2002 Canadian Junior National team. She was also captain of the 2000 Canadian Youth National team. Carlini is a four-time unanimous all-star selection for Windsor Riverside Volleyball Club under coach Dean O'Connell, and a two-time team MVP and captain for St. Thomas of Villanova High School. She was the MVP of the 2002 Can-American Tournament and an all-star selection at the 2002 University of Western Tournament. Carlini was also a third-team all-star in basketball and a second-team all-star in soccer. Academically, she is a member of the honor roll and is the vice president of the student body.
"There is no doubt in our minds that Maria is the best player coming out of Canada this year," says Waite. "She's really a well-rounded player and even though she's 6-2, she can pass and hit out of the back row. She's used to getting set a lot of balls for her teams so she enjoys being a primary player and she's also a real leader. I think Maria will have a great career here and she'll add a lot to the team."
