Sagnelli Inks Two More For Upcoming Season

Central Connecticut head volleyball coach Linda Sagnelli announced the final two National Letter of Intent signings for the 2009 season. Mary Kate Schmidt, an outside hitter and right side from Evergreen Park, IL, and Blaike King, an outside hitter from Carson City, NV, have both committed to the CCSU program.

Schmidt, who can play both outside hitter and right side, led Providence Catholic in kills during her senior year. She served as team captain and was named to both the Sun Times and Joliet Herald's All-Area Teams.

"We're looking for Mary Kate to come in and succeed at both the outside hitter and right side positions," said Sagnelli. "Her versatility will be of great help this fall."

King, primarily an outside hitter from Carson City, NV, was selected to two All-Tournament teams during her senior year at Carson High. She received the honor at the Las Vegas Invitational and the High Sierra Invitational tournaments. King was also named First Team All-League in 2009.

"Blaike has great all around skill and we are looking for her to contribute at outside hitter right away," Sagnelli said. "She will develop into one of our primary passers and bring a higher level of ball control to the team."

After qualifying for the Northeast Conference Tournament for the sixth year in a row in 2008, the Blue Devils fell to Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals to en their season. As CCSU looks to imrpove on last year's 11-14 finish, Sagnelli commented on the addition of these two student-athletes. "We're looking forward to both student-athletes joining the Blue Devil family in the fall. Mary Kate and Blaike will bring a high level of talent on and off the court."