Volleyball signs two
November 13, 2008 | Volleyball
University of Wisconsin volleyball coach Pete Waite has announced the signing of two athletes to National Letters of Intent. Alexis Mitchell from Davenport, Iowa, and Mary Ording from Carmel, Ind., will join the Badgers for the 2009 season.
"We're excited about having Alexis and Mary join our program,' said Waite. 'They are both elite players in their respective states and we're looking forward to having them bring their games to Madison. '
Mitchell, a 6-1 outside hitter, earned special mention all-state honors in 2007. She also participated in the 2008 Senior All-Star Classic. A standout at Davenport Central High School, Mitchell earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors in 2007. She led the conference in kills per set and was also her team leader in blocks. The Blue Devils won the MAC Conference in 2007 and 2008 and Mitchell was named to the all-academic team. She served as team captain as a senior for Coach Bre Scherler.
'Alexis is a multi-sport athlete whose explosiveness and athleticism was demonstrated when she became the state long jump champion last year,' said Waite. 'She's a high flyer whose potential on the volleyball court has only begun to be tapped.'
As a member of the Platform Elite Volleyball Club, Mitchell's teams earned five runner-up finishes in 2007. She was also a member of the 2007 Iowa High Performance Girls Youth National Team.
Mitchell is also a state champion in track, winning the 2008 state title in the long jump. She also finished as the state runner-up in the 200-meter dash. Mitchell qualified for three state meets in track and is also a conference champion in the long jump and 200 meters.
Ording, a 6-3 middle blocker, led Cathedral High School in Indianapolis to the 2008 Indiana state 4A title last weekend. Under Coach Jean Kesterson, the Fighting Irish also won the 2006 state championship. Ording was a 2007 first-team all-state and all-city honoree. She earned honorable mention honors on the 2006 All-North team.
'Mary comes from traditional powerhouse programs in both high school and club, ' said Waite. 'She was a key part of Indianapolis Cathedral's state championship teams and she's known for being a great leader on the court."
Ording also plays with the Municiana Volleyball Club under Coach Mike Lingenfelter, the same club as current Badger Kim Kuzma. Municiana was the 2008 AAU and Junior Volleyball Directors Association national runners-up. Ording was named to the 2007 USA Volleyball A2 Youth team and participated in the 2006 USAV High Performance invitational camp.
A member of the National Honor Society and Cathedral's Student Council, Ording is a three-year member of the high honor roll and Cathedral earned Team Academic Awards from the American Volleyball Coaches Association the last three seasons.
