April 10, 2008

Volleyball Adds Three More

'08 Class Stands at Five

      Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head volleyball coach Rick Squiers announced today the names of three high school seniors who will play for the Lopers this fall.

      The trio includes outside hitter/libero Markeya Dubbs (Wood River), outside/middle hitter Hannah Mandelko (Lexington) and outside/middle hitter Krystal Nunnenkamp (Hampton).

      In the fall, middle hitter Jenna Isaacson (Holdrege) and outside hitter Shelby Workman (Loveland, Colo.) signed on with UNK. More players could be added to the roster later this spring or in the summer.

      "We are excited about our group of newcomers for the 2008 season.  As a whole, this class is extremely athletic and competitive. In addition to filling some specific needs, we also like the fact that we can continue to attract local student-athletes to our program," said Squiers.

      Dubbs, at 5-8, is a four-year letterwinner in volleyball, basketball and track for the Eagles. This past fall, the three-time all-conference pick recorded 343 digs (5.1 pg), 250 kills and 28 service aces.

      Helping Wood River win the Louplatte conference in 2004, and make the state tournament that year, Dubbs comes from a very athletic family.

      Her mother, Marilyn, still holds the UNK record in the high jump while sister Meredy will be a senior libero at Wayne State in 2008. Finally, sister Micah was a runner for Concordia.

      "Markeya is a well-rounded player with exceptional court intelligence, volleyball instincts, and competitive drive.  Her skill set in the back row will be a great addition to our program," said Squiers.

      Setting numerous records in basketball, volleyball and track for the Minutemaids the past four years, Mandelko (5-10) joins Isaacson as new Lopers who, unfortunately, suffered torn ACL's in the fall.

      In 2007, Mandelko averaged 3.70 kills per game (322 total), 2.5 digs per game and a region-best 1.7 blocks per game (146 total). She was subsequently named honorable mention Class B all-state by the Omaha World Herald.

      "Along with being a great competitor, Hannah is an explosive and versatile athlete.  She also showed tremendous grit and toughness playing her senior basketball season on a torn ACL," said Squiers. "We look forward watching her develop as a college volleyball player."

      Mandelko comes from an athletic family as well. Older brother, Jake, is currently a defensive back for the Lopers while her father, Mike, played football at Nebraska.

      Also standing 5-10 is Nunnenkamp, who was named first-team Class D2 by the Omaha World Herald this past fall. Like Dubbs and Mandelko, she is an all-around athlete, lettering four times in basketball, volleyball and track.

      "We are excited about the prospect of training Krystal as an outside hitter at the college level.  She is an outstanding physical athlete with a big jump and fast arm.  Her potential for the college game is very high," said Squiers.

      For the Hampton Hawks this past fall, Nunnenkamp smashed home 468 kills, dug up 289 balls and had 77 blocks. She leaves her prep career as the Class D2 record holder in career kills (1,446), as well as holding numerous Hampton records.

      Finally, Nunnenkmap isn't the only athlete in the family; sister Jamie was a runner at Doane College.