Volleyball Announces Signing Class for 2017
4/17/2017 1:53:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio โย Head coachย Don Gromalaย announced the addition of three student-athletes โ Naomi Oberg (Athens, Ohio),ย Kaeleigh Stang (Norwalk, Ohio)ย andย Natalie Tagala (Bloomington, Ill.) โ for the 2017 season.
"This 2017 class will add depth and versatility to next season's roster," Gromala said. "All three of these student-athletes will be able to add to the program immediately because they are all strong in varying skillsets, in addition to being excellent students. They've all been the leaders of their high school teams and know what it takes to be successful."
Naomi Obergย โขย 6-1ย โขย Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitterย โขย Athens, Ohioย
A 6'1" middle blocker/right side hitter from Athens High School, Oberg will add height and versatility in the front row for the Flashes. This past Fall, she posted a .485 hitting percentage and 2.4 blocks per set to earn All-Ohio Second Team and District 13 Coaches Association Offensive Player of the Year accolades. A proven winner during her three-year varsity career, Oberg helped the Bulldogs win their fourth consecutive TVC Ohio Division title and sixth consecutive sectional title this past season.
"Naomi is a fascinating person, and we can't wait to train her in our gym.ย Sheย has a strong arm and workhorse mentality, and could be one of our strongest one-footed attackers. Naomiย she can do it all.ย Even though she played middle in high school, she also hit outside in some rotations and even played in the back row.ย Not many middles are able to contribute that range of versatility these days."
Kaeleigh Stangย โขย 5-8ย โขย Defensive Specialistย โขย Norwalk, Ohioย
An AVCA Under Armour All-American nominee, Stang will add to the Golden Flashes' depth in the back row. She is second all-time at Norwalk St. Paul High School with 2,100 digs and owns the top three single-season digs marks in school history, including a record 661 during her junior season. Stang is a three-time All-Ohio Second Team honoree and served as a team captain the past two seasons. During her four-year career, she helped lead the Flyers to three district championships, two Firelands Conference championships and a regional runner-up finish in 2016. A multi-sport athlete, Stang was a state qualifier as a member of St. Paul's 4x400 relay team a year ago.
"We love the athleticism Kaeleigh will bring to our back row. Sheย is an extremely determined individual on the court and off, and will fit in well with our returning core of ball-control players.ย She is really quick and has a nice touch on serve-receive, and will help us at any of the three back row positions."
Natalie Tagalaย โขย 5-11ย โขย Setterย โขย Bloomington, Ill.ย
The 5'11" Tagala will bring athleticism to the setter position. As a senior, she was a unanimous All-Heart of Illinois Conference First Team selection after leading Tri-Valley High School to a school-record 30 wins. Tagala led the Vikings to the McLean County/Heart of Illinois Conference Volleyball Tournament title this past season and a share of the HOIC championship in 2015. A varsity starter on Tri-Valley's basketball team as a freshman and sophomore, she was a state qualifier in the long jump in 2015.
"Natalie was a little bit of a late-bloomerย but has become one of the most exciting setters to watch.ย She is an elite athlete for a setter, and will be a strong presence for us at the net with both her blocking and dumping abilities.ย She lives for the big moments in matches and is an outstanding leader on court.ย Once she gets accustomed to our offensive systems and tempos, we know Natalie will be ready to do anything we ask of her."ย ย
