Nov. 12, 2009
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels added three student-athletes to its 2010 lineup with the signing of Stephanie Thelen, Madeline Westman and Katlin Winters to National Letters of Intent. The trio will enroll at UNLV in the fall of 2010 and will be eligible to participate with the Rebels announced head coach Allison Keeley.
"We are really proud of the accomplishments and the character of our 2010 recruiting class," noted Keeley. "This group of student-athletes has proven throughout their scholastic careers that they have the integrity, skill and dedication necessary to find success at the collegiate level."
Thelen, who is 5-11 and from Atlanta, Ga., will graduate from Milton High School in 2010. She has helped guide her Eagles to Elite 8 tournament showings in 2008 and 2009, while reaching the Final 4 in 2007. She split time as a setter and right-side hitter, As a junior and senior she notched 1,210 assists, 366 digs, 254 kills, 92 blocks and 91 aces. The past two years she earned all-area team honors, while being named to the 2009 all-state team. She was chosen as the 5A Area 6 Setter of the Year and named a senior all-star for 2009.
"Stephanie poses a double threat as both a setter and a hitter. As a setter, she brings competitiveness, leadership and composure. At the net, she adds a strong block and aggressive swing. Stephanie's game knowledge and commitment to the game will ensure her rise as a star in the Rebel program.
Westman, a 6-3 middle blocker/outside hitter from Wauconda, Ill., will graduate from Wauconda High School in 2010. She helped the Bulldogs to 21 straight wins in 2009, while guiding the team to an undefeated record in the North Suburban Conference. The Bulldogs won the division for the second consecutive year, while taking home the program's first regional championship in school history. She broke the single-season record in kills with 338 this past year. She was named to the all-conference squad in 2007, 2008 and 2009, while taking home all-area honors the past two seasons.
"Maddie is the go-to type of player that will be the backbone of our program. She is a very fluid athlete with a quick arm who will be a six rotation player. Maddie's studious approach to the game will ensure that she quickly adapts to the level of the Mountain West Conference."
Winters, a 6-3 middle blocker from St. Clair Shores, Mich., will graduate from South Lake High School in 2010. She helped the Cavaliers to three straight district championships beginning with her sophomore season. As a senior, she was the team's captain, while earning all-county and all-region first team honors. She was on the AVCA's All-America watch list. As a junior, she was first team all-county and all-conference and the team's MVP. She took home second team all-county honors as a sophomore, while earning most improved player status as a freshman. Besides lettering four years in volleyball, she lettered twice for the varsity basketball team. She was named to the all-county second team as a junior.
"Katlin is a physically imposing athlete with the ability to dominate the front court. She is the most skilled middle blocker to be recruited by our staff to date. Her experience gives her a strong foundation on which to launch a career following the footsteps of former great Rebel middles."
