April 22, 2009

The Wright State volleyball program has added five players for the 2009 season, announced head coach Trina Smith. Joining the Raiders will be libero Kenzie Egan, outside hitter Katherine Godina, middle blocker Ashley Heyman, setter Ashleigh Lucco and libero Stefanie Shiramizu.

Egan (Newark, OH/Catholic) was a First Team All-Mid-State League Ohio Division selection as a senior as well as Second Team All-Central District as she recorded 487 digs along with 31 service aces. As a junior, Egan notched 421 digs.

The Green Wave finished 26-2 in 2008 and advanced to the Division IV state semifinals at the Nutter Center, where Egan recorded 26 digs against eventual champion Maria Stein Marion Local. Newark Catholic went 21-8 in 2007 and again reached the state semifinals before falling to Marion Local, where she had 16 digs.

"Kenzie is a great addition to our program," said Smith. "Her ball control and competitiveness will help us tremendously."

Godina (Punta Gorda, FL/Charlotte) comes to Wright State after playing the previous two seasons at Tennessee-Martin.

Last year, Godina had 113 kills in 23 matches along with 168 digs, 36 assists and 12 aces. She posted a double-double of 14 kills and 11 digs against Lamar, hit .467 with nine kills at Lipscomb and had 20 digs versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and 17 at Arkansas.

As a freshman, Godina appeared in nine matches before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. She recorded 32 kills, including nine against North Carolina A&T, along with 25 digs and six blocks.

A four-sport athlete of Charlotte, Godina set the school's single-season blocking record with 113 and helped the Tarpons win their fifth consecutive district title in track. She also claimed district and regional crowns and placed 10th in the state in weight lifting.

On the club level, Godina competed with the Venetian Bay Volleyball Club for five years before playing for USA South. She also was a part of the East Side Volleyball Club in Peoria, Illinois, before moving to Florida.

"We are pleased to have Katherine's ball control and experience become a part of our team," said Smith. "She gives us another option at the outside hitter position."

Heyman (Toledo, OH/St. Ursula) is another transfer to the Raider program, coming to WSU after two years at Ball State.

Last season, Heyman recorded six kills and eight block assists in limited action with the Cardinals. During the 2007 campaign, she recorded five block assists in her collegiate debut against Maine and had six kills at Kent State.

A three-year letterwinner at St. Ursula, Heyman was a Third Team All-Ohio selection in Division I as a senior as the Arrows finished 23-4 and advanced to the regional finals. She posted a school-record 542 blocks during her career, including 234 as a senior to set a new single-season mark, and added 436 kills.

The 2006 recipient of the Toledo City League Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award, Heyman was a three-time all-city academic honoree and a two-time St. Ursula Arrow Award winner. She played seven years with Toledo VBC, was a five-time participant in the USVA Junior Olympic National Championships, part of the 2004 USVA National Qualifier championship team and participated in the 2005 USA Volleyball High Performance Development Camp.

"Ashley's experience will help us immensely," said Smith. "Her work ethic and competitiveness will fit in perfect with our team. Ashley could be a major part of our success."

Lucco (Richmond, TX/Travis) was a First Team All-District 23-5A selection last season for the Tigers as they finished 36-10 and advanced to the regional finals in just the program's second year.

"We are thrilled to have Ashleigh in our program," said Smith. "She has lots of potential and brings a great work ethic and competitiveness."

Shiramizu (Okemos, MI/Okemos) was an honorable mention all-state selection as a senior along with being named all-region, all-area and all-conference. She was selected team MVP and led the squad in digs in 2008 as the Chieftains finished 33-8-1 and advanced to the Class A regional finals.

On the club level, Shiramizu was part of the M-Juniors 17-Maize team that finished third at the AAU nationals and fifth at the JVDA National in 2007.

"Stefanie and Kenzie provide us depth at the libero position," said Smith. "Her ball control and defense will make a huge impact on our team."

"We are excited to welcome the new players to our team," added the Raider coach. "The foundation has been set and we look forward to competing at a high level."

Wright State, which finished third in the 2008 Horizon League standings, returns nine letterwinners and five starters, including junior middle hitter Shauna Sandifer, an All-Horizon League honoree last season, along with senior setter Michelle Hammond, who was selected to the League's All-Newcomer Team.