The reigning CAA regular season champion Huskies welcome three newcomers to the program, head coach Ken Nichols announced Tuesday. Joining the Huskies for the 2009 season will be freshmen Nicole Bishop (Park City, Utah/Park City) and Lexi Ornell (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) and junior transfer Jessica LaScola (San Diego, Calif./Long Beach State).
“What is great about this group is not only are they very capable in the gym, but they are equally successful in the realm of academia,” said Nichols. “Each of these young ladies possesses a great work ethic and even better personalities, which should make this season a lot of fun. They are going to be a very strong addition to a group who already has distinguished itself as possibly the hardest working team I have ever coached.”
Bishop, a towering 6’5 middle hitter comes to the program from Park City High School in Utah.
“Nicole Bishop is an enormous presence as a blocker, not just because she is 6’5 but because she is a good jumper and an equally good student of the game,” Nichols stated.
As a three-year varsity player, Bishop set the school record in blocks and broke kills during her senior season in which she was named first team All-Region and All-State. Her efforts guided Park City to its first regional title in 22 years and a number three overall ranking in the state.
“Nicole has only played a few years of club ball, but it was with the right organization as Club Utah has brought her along very quickly,” added Nichols. “Her Park City experience was very productive as well as they made it to third in the state. I can’t see any way for Nicole to be denied the opportunity to have a huge impact at Northeastern and in the CAA right away.”
LaScola, a San Diego, Calif. native, joins the Huskies after spending the 2008 season at Long Beach State. She will have two years of eligibility remaining.
“Jessica LaScola is one of those players who fills the recruiting slot we designated as the best athlete we can find,” Nichols said. “At 5’8 she will be considered in our list of outside hitters because of her exceptional gifts, but she is an absolute no-brainer in the back row. She played club ball for Coast Volleyball which is where Kristin Ursillo ‘03 came to us from and her recent experience as a red-shirt at Long Beach will provide her with invaluable readiness.”
LaScola previously played two years of volleyball at Mesa College in San Diego where she had a standout career as a three-sport athlete. LaScola holds the California Junior College record of 117 service aces, which she set in 2006 and recorded 835 digs in two years. She helped lead Mesa to a 24-0 record and two Pacific Coast conference titles while garnering All-Conference, All-Southern California and All-State honors in the process. LaScola participated in two Junior Olympics, helping her teams take home silver in 2003 and bronze in 2000.
Ornell comes to Northeastern from Coppell, Texas where she was a three-year varsity player and twotime captain. Ornell helped lead Coppell High School to two straight District 6-5A championships. “Lexi Ornell is exactly the type of player we have been looking for in recent years,” Nichols said. “Having run a 6-2 for a while now leaves us with little opportunity to scrimmage well or rest our starters. Lexi will give us some much-needed depth in the setting category as well as being able to play Libero. She could also be used as right back defensive specialist which is a unique and challenging position.”
Ornell was named team MVP of the 2008 year and picked up District 6-5A second team honors in the process. She was a two-time all-academic selection in her district her sophomore and junior seasons and was named a 2008 Academic All-State selection.
“Her quality experience at Coppell coupled with her time at Texas Advantage Volleyball has prepared her well to help us in a myriad of different ways,” Nichols added.
Northeastern begins the 2009 season September 5 against Long Island at the Madison Bingman Memorial Tournament hosted by UMBC.
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