Kaufman, Kuipers and Svette Sign Letters of Intent with UVa
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March 10, 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head volleyball coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton has announced the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent with Virginia. The players are Kiersten Kaufman, Simona Kuipers and Laura Svette.
Kaufman is a 6-2 hitter from Monroeville, Pennsylvania. She lettered four times in volleyball at Gateway High School and was a three-year starter for the Gators as an outside hitter/middle blocker. Kaufman, a two-time team captain, was named to the Pennsylvania All-State Girls Volleyball Team (AAA) in the 1998-99 season. Shes was twice named an All-District selection by the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) in 1997-98 and a was a three-time All-Section (Section 4) choice from 1996-1998. Kaufman has also competed on the Adidas Penn Jrs. Club Team.
She has earned three letters as a member of the basketball team and four letters by participating on the track and field team at Gateway. Kaufman recorded the third best discus throw in the history of the event at Gateway en route to being tabbed a District Qualifier in the event by the WPIAL.
“Kiersten was a sleeper in the recruiting wars. She is younger than most of the kids in her grade and she is still developing physically. We are expecting great things from her in the future. She attended our elite camp this past summer and won us over with her potential and personality. We knew right then that we wanted her to be a Cavalier,” says Shelton.
Kuipers is a 6-1 hitter is from Bow Island, Alberta, Canada. She lettered in both volleyball and basketball provincial teams at Senator Gershaw School in Alberta, and served as team captain for both squads. Kuipers was named Discus Zone Champion in 1998.
“When evaluating our needs from the class of 99, we really wanted to sign a player who would make an emotional impact on the team, as well as a physical one. Simona is that player. Her intensity and fire on the court are just what we need to bring out the best in everyone on the team, says Shelton.
Svette is a 6-0 hitter from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She lettered three times in volleyball at Kenston High School and was named both the team MVP and team captain during her senior season. Svette was chosen the Player of the Year by the Cleveland Plain Dealer for the Geauga-Portage counties. She garnered All-Western Conference First Team honors in 1997 and 1998, and was tabbed the News Herald Player of the Year (Division II) in 1998. Svette has also competed on the ACE Volleyball Club Team.
“Laura’s strength, size, and jumping ability make her a natural volleyball athlete. We feel very fortunate to have Laura joining our team, and she will make an immediate impact in the gym,” says Shelton.
Shelton also stated, “The three players we’ve signed will make us a much more powerful team. Each one has the power to terminate the rally with their hitting ability and we are looking forward to adding their punch to our offense. The addition of Kiersten, Simona, and Laura will also make us a much taller team, allowing us to compete nationally at the Top 25 level. Not only are these three individuals great students and volleyball players, they share a common desire to be the best they can be. All three want to be the one, and have the potential, to take Virginia Volleyball into the national rankings.”