Volleyball Signs Two
November 09, 2006 | Volleyball
The 10th-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team has signed two athletes to National Letters of Intent, Coach Pete Waite announced today. Allison Wack from Salem, Wis., and Kim Kuzma from Muncie, Ind., will join the Badgers in fall of 2007.
'Both Kim and Allison bring the competitiveness and high-level experience we're looking for,' said Waite. 'They are both excellent ball handlers and defenders, who I think will make a good transition into the high level our team is playing right now. They're both very good students who are always looking to improve themselves both on and off the court. I know they've both been looking forward to signing day so they can make it official; they're both really excited to play for Wisconsin and be Badgers.'
Wack, a 6-0 outside hitter, is the younger sister of current Badger Jocelyn Wack. Allison is a four-time all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association and led Westosha Central High School to three WIAA state division I titles. She led the Falcons to the 2006 state championship, recording 30 kills in the semifinal match against Menomonee Falls and 29 kills in the championship match vs. Muskego. She played under Coach Charlie Berg at Central and also competes with the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club under Coach Doug Hext.
Wack was named the 2003 PrepVolleyball.com National Freshman of the Year. She was also honored by PrepVolleyball.com in 2004 as a member of the top sophomores list and was named a top-50 recruit for 2007. Wack was also recognized by Volleyball Magazine as one of 25 Underclassmen to Watch in 2005. She earned All-America honors in 2003 at the Junior Olympics in the 15-open division.
'Ever since Allison was a freshman in high school, she's been playing up in the older divisions because of her talent,' said Waite. 'She's a hard-hitting outside hitter who has a ton of shots and is used to taking a lot of swings for her team. She comes from a volleyball family and she's learned a lot from her older brother (Nate) and sister. Allison has a very high volleyball I.Q. and I know she's excited to be able to be a Badger along side her sister Jocelyn. I know Allison will make a big impact on our program.'
Kuzma (KOOS - ma), a 5-9 defensive specialist/libero, is a two-time member of the U.S. Youth National team. She was the starting libero for the team at the 2005 FIVB World Games in China and also the 2004 NORCECA Tournament in Puerto Rico. Kuzma recorded the most digs at the 2005 World Games and ranked second in digs per game. She was named to the all-tournament team at the NORCECA tournament as the best serve receiver.
Kuzma is a three-time all-state selection at Muncie Central High School, under Coach Wes Lyon. The Bearcats won the 2004 state 4A championship and finished as the runners up the other three years during Kuzma's career. She is a two-time Junior Olympics All-American and joins Wack on the 2004 PrepVolleyball.com top sophomores list and 2007 top-50 recruit list. Kuzma broke her high school's records for kills (1,395), digs (1,160) and aces (190). She also competes with the Munciana Volleyball Club under Coach Mike Lingenfelter.
'We're excited to have someone of Kim's talent coming to our program, ' said Waite. 'She's fast, fearless and an intense competitor. She also has great leadership qualities and she has the ability and desire to make those around her better. She is one of the top defensive players in the country and she has trained and competed with the USA Youth National Team because they saw the same things in her.'
