Top-20 Prospect Zimmerman Highlights Trio of Signees
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan volleyball program received National Letters of Intent from three student-athletes in the early signing period (Nov. 8-15), including Karlee Bruck (Elyria, Ohio/Elyria), Jackie Nissen (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) and Lexi Zimmerman (Barrington, Ill./Barrington).
"We're really excited about the class because it has all the components we will need for the 2007 season," said head coach Mark Rosen. "We are excited that this class will add depth to the middle while also giving us two players in Karlee and Jackie who can play on the right side. We feel Lexi is a player who can take our program to another level."
Bruck is a 6-3 middle blocker/right side in her senior season at Elyria High School. She is rated the 79th best prospect by Prepvolleyball.com and is a three-time all-district, all-conference and first team all-county award winner. She helped the Pioneers to the regional semifinals in 2006, earning second team All-Ohio honors and first team all-district, all-county and all-conference accolades. She will compete in the Lorain County, District 3 and All-Ohio All-Star matches. Bruck also competes with the Cleveland Volleyball Club.
"Karlee is very physical and plays high and long," said Rosen. "She is a great jumper who plays high above the net. She has the potential to be a dominating presence because of size and jumping ability. She's raw and has a lot of room to improve, which is exciting because she has such great potential."
Nissen is a 6-0 middle blocker/right side in her senior season at Prairie Ridge High School. She is rated among the top 250 prospects by Prepvolleyball.com and also competes for Club Fusion in Marengo, Ill. Prairie Ridge finished runner-up in the state tournament in 2004 and 2005.
"We saw Jackie a lot in her sophomore year, and she has proved to be a very skilled blocker," said Rosen. "Her blocking technique is excellent and she blocks a lot more effectively than most six-footers. She reminds me a lot of Katrina Lehman, who holds our program record for blocks. She is an excellent attacker off one foot, and she impressed us the most when we saw her playing with Lexi as her setter. She is rehabbing an injury right now, but once she enters club season she'll quickly get back to true form and come into the summer ready to contribute."
Zimmerman is a 5-10 setter in her senior season at Barrington High School. She is the No. 19 prospect in the nation and the top setter coming out of high school according to Prepvolleyball.com. Zimmerman was one of 18 athletes selected for the USA Junior National team after competing with the USA Junior National A2 team in 2005 and the USA Youth National A3 team in 2004. Zimmerman helped lead Barrington to fourth place in the Illinois Class AA Tournament in 2006 with a 32-8 record. In 2003, Barrington finished runner-up in the state tournament. Zimmerman also competes with the Sky High Volleyball Club.
"Lexi is someone who was a great fit for Michigan -- athletically and academically," said Rosen. "She has a wealth of experience at the club level, in high school and most importantly with the national program. She will arrive in Ann Arbor with a lot of hype. As she gains experience at the collegiate level she has the potential to elevate our program. She's very fun to watch as a dynamic, fast setter. She is fast and will do things you don't expect her to do because of athleticism. Fans will fall in love with the way she plays the game."
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Michigan closes out its home schedule this week by hosting No. 23 Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State. The Wolverines host the Buckeyes for Senior Night on Friday (Nov. 17) before welcoming the Nittany Lions to Cliff Keen Arena for Parents Night on Saturday (Nov. 18). Both matches begin at 7 p.m.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
