JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 9, 2014) – ETSU volleyball head coach Lindsey Devine and her staff announced the signing of four Buccaneers during last month’s early signing period on Tuesday.

With the Bucs graduating six seniors this season, this signing class features two middle blockers, an outside hitter and a setter.

“With the departure of six seniors, it was important to find players who wanted to come in and compete from day one,” said coach Devine. “This group, along with others who will be joining us in the fall, will be an impact class. Our returning players will teach and push this group of newcomers to uphold the level of expectation and the culture of the ETSU volleyball program.”

Alyssa Kvarta – 5-8 – Setter – Crown Point, Ind. (Crown Point High School)

• Four-year letterwinner at Crown Point High School
• Holds the Crown Point career records for total assists (2,306), total aces (279), and total sets played (413), while setting new single-season records for aces (95) and sets played (121)
• Four-time all-conference selection and two-time conference Player of the Year
• Named Player of the Year by the Post Tribune and NWI Times in 2013
• Four-time Setter of the Year, while being tabbed Defensive Player of the Year in 2014
• Helped guide the Bulldogs to the 2013 sectional championship, marking the program’s first title in 21 year

Coach Devine on Kvarta…

“Alyssa is a multi-talented setter. I think many people are fooled by her 5-8 frame, but since Alyssa is extremely athletic, she will attack and block. She possesses a competitive edge that separates her from many players. Alyssa is the complete package that a coach wants in a setter.”

 AJ Lux – 5-10 – Outside Hitter – Shelbyville, Ind. (Roncalli High School)

• Played three years at Shelbyville High School and one at Roncalli, compiling over 90 wins over her high school career
• Won three sectional (2011, 2013, 2014) and two regional championships (2011, 2014), while guiding Roncalli to the 2014 Final Four
• Named all-conference in 2012
• Her father Jared played collegiate basketball at IUPUI and cousin Jacqueline played volleyball at MTSU

Coach Devine on Lux…

“AJ is a very physical and confident player. She comes from a great club team (Team Indiana), while having strong skills and is rock-solid when it comes to dealing with pressure. She plays with a lot of fire and heat, which is something I really value in an outside hitter.”

Mariah McPartland – 6-2 – Middle Blocker – Boone, Iowa (Boone High)

• Multi-sport athlete at Boone High – volleyball, basketball and track and field
• Three-time all-conference performer in volleyball, while also receiving all-conference honors in basketball and track and field
• Named first team all-state by the Des Moines Register in 2014 and was selected to play in the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association All-Star Game
• Received first team all-district honors in volleyball and basketball, while being a state qualifier in track and field (discus)
• Her brother played volleyball at Grand View University

Coach Devine on McPartland…

“Mariah is an extremely coachable player. She works very hard across the net, so she finds ways to score in open gaps. She possesses such positive energy and an athletic presence, which mirrors the type of players who have come before her into this program. I’m excited to see the impact she will make over her four years at ETSU.”

Braedyn Tutton – 6-0 – Middle Blocker – Courtice, Ontario, Canada (Sinclair Secondary School)

• Multi-sport athlete from Sinclair Secondary School – volleyball, soccer and basketball
• Selected to the 2014 17-U DRVC All-Star Team
• Named 2014 Team Ontario by the Ontario Volleyball Association
• Received 2010 MVP honors by Durham Attack
• Brother plays lacrosse at North Carolina and cousin plays lacrosse at Sienna

Coach Devine on Tutton…

“Braedyn is a very gifted athlete. She is explosive and has an excellent understanding of eye sequencing when it comes to blocking. Braedyn’s passion and competitiveness makes her such a threat across the net. I already have a deep respect for Braedyn, because she strives to frustrate and outwork her opponents.”  

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