Jones Adds Eight to 2013 Roster

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Eight players have signed on to join the Manhattan College volleyball roster for the 2013 season, Head Coach Mark Jones announced today.  The Jaspers will welcome five transfer students—Alexis Crist (Mesa, Ariz.), Jade Gray (Boise, Idaho), Anna Kitlar (Kiel, Germany), Teodora Peric (Chicago, Ill.) and Erin Weis (Omaha, Neb.)—to Riverdale, while Manhattan's incoming freshman class consists of Mary Donnelly (Winchester, Calif.), Kelsey LaCour (Walnut Creek, Calif.) and Allie Yamashiro (Kapolei, Hawaii).

“After losing five seniors, I thought it was important to bring in some players with experience,” Jones said.  “And the incoming freshmen are incredibly talented.  Everybody in this group has a chance to make an immediate impact in our program.”

Crist, a middle blocker, averaged 0.82 blocks per set last season at South Mountain Community College.  Prior to South Mountain, Crist attended Desert Ridge High School, where she was named the team's Most Improved Player during her junior campaign.  Standing 6-foot-6, she will become the tallest player in program history.

Gray is a 5-foot-9 setter.  Last season at Golden West College, she averaged 10.81 assists and 1.01 kills per set while hitting an impressive .317.  Gray was named to the all-tournament team after leading the Rustlers to a 24-5 record and an appearance in the state championship match.  A two-time all-league selection at Borah High School, she will be in her second season of collegiate eligibility in 2013.

A 6-foot-3 right side hitter, Kitlar comes to Manhattan after two years at Hofstra.  She appeared in 10 matches for the Pride last season, recording 2.31 kills and 0.75 blocks per set.  Kitlar posted career-highs with 11 kills and four blocks against Oral Roberts on Sept. 3, then had three blocks against Eastern Michigan the following day.  As a first-time transfer, she is able to immediately use her remaining two seasons of eligibility.

Peric played last season at American University, helping the Eagles post a 21-10 record and reach the final of the Patriot League Tournament.  The 6-foot setter appeared in 16 matches, making two starts, and averaged 4.47 assists per set.  She registered career-bests with 47 assists, seven digs and three blocks in a win over Bucknell on Oct. 12.  Originally from Croatia, Peric attended high school at Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago.  She has three years of eligibility remaining.

Weis, a 6-foot middle blocker, spent the last two years at Iowa Western Community College.  She averaged 0.56 blocks per set last season after ranking second on the team with 0.67 blocks per set in 2011.  Weis also contributed 0.93 kills per set and hit .355 last season.  In addition, she was a two-time First Team Academic All-Region selection.

Donnelly led Chaparral High School in both kills and hitting percentage during her junior and senior seasons.  A 6-foot outside hitter, she was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-league selection.  Donnelly also earned scholar athlete recognition four times.

The 5-foot-10 LaCour was a First Team All-Diablo Valley Athletic Conference and Third Team All-East Bay selection as a middle blocker last season at Northgate High School.  She helped the Broncos notch 30 wins and earn their second consecutive DVAL championship in 2012.  LaCour was also a two-time recipient of Northgate's Coaches Award.

Yamashiro attended Kamehameha Schools Kapalama.  A 5-foot-4 libero, she was a part of three consecutive championship teams.  Yamashiro was Kamehameha's Female Athlete of the Year as a sophomore, and she received a Player of the Week selection by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser as a senior.  She also played for the Jammers Volleyball Club.

“I think this recruiting class is going to add some depth at each position, including more height, which is something we really haven't had since I've been here,” Jones said.  “I expect each of these players to challenge a great group of returners for playing time.”