CHADRON – The Chadron State College volleyball team signed four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent head coach Chris Wells announced Tuesday. They are Sierra Winkle of Tucson, Ariz., Alyse Armstrong of Sequim, Wash., Deyhza Samuelu of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tatyana Tuialii-Umi of South Gate, Calif.
Winkle, a 5-foot, 7-inch utility player from Sabino High School, will play at libero for the Eagles. In her senior season, she recorded 26 kills, 337 assists, 33 blocks and 106 digs. She averaged more than six digs, two assists and two aces in a club tournament in Las Vegas this year.
“Sierra comes from a high level club program that sends student-athletes to the top programs,” Wells said. “Sierra provides great defensive balance on the court as well as being a tremendous ball control player.”
Armstrong is a 5-10 southpaw setter from Sequim Senior High School and the Washington Elite Club. As a senior, she had 123 kills, 276 assists and 36 aces. In her career, she has amassed 351 kills, 999 assists, 169 aces, 555 digs and 536 blocks. Armstrong was a four year starter and was named the most valuable player for her high school all four seasons. She was selected to the All-State First Team three times and was voted the All-Oympic Peninsula MVP. In her best match last season, she put down 17 kills, 22 digs and seven aces.
“Alyse is a left handed athlete who can attack and set,” Wells said. “At 5-10 she gives us an athletic presence at the net. She is a strong blocker and has a fiery personality that will have a positive impact on our program.”
Samuelu is a 6-3 middle blocker from Edison High School. She was a member of the varsity volleyball team for two years, recording 113 kills and 101 blocks with a .214 hitting percentage. She also played club volleyball with Aiga Volleyball Club for two years with fellow recruit Tuialii-Umi. Samuelu also was a member of the varsity basketball team, as well as a club baseball team.
“Deyzha gives us a physical presence at 6 3 and great intensity and competitive spirit,” Wells said. “She is fairly young in the sport and we see phenomenal potential in her future as an Eagle.”
Tuialii-Umi is a 6-0 left-handed outside hitter from South Gate High School. She was a member of the varsity squad for three seasons. In her final season, she recorded 119 kills, 44 digs and 26 aces. She was named the Eastern League MVP two years in a row. Tuialii-Umi was also a member of the Axis Volleyball Club and Aiga Volleyball Club.
“Tatyana has tremendous athletic ability and raw power,” Wells said. “She is a left-handed kid that adds a new dimension to our team. We believe Tatyana’s ceiling is very high.”
The Eagles have now signed a total of 14 student-athletes in the offseason from seven different states. Six of the recruits hail from Colorado, two from California and another pair from Nebraska. The remaining players come from Washington, Arizona, South Dakota and Idaho.