UMSL Signs Three Recruits for Next Season

St. Louis, Mo. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball program has signed three recruits during the fall signing period for next season. Head Coach Josh Lauer has signed outside hitter Elizabeth Cook (Kansas City, Mo./Archbishop O’Hara), defensive specialist Carolyn Holstein (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) and setter Kayla Kinzinger (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) to join the UM-St. Louis squad.

Cook is an outside hitter from Kansas City, Mo., who was a second team all-state selection as a senior last year. In 2005, she helped lead her team to the Missouri Class 3A State Championship. Cook also played for the KC Power club volleyball team that finished in fifth-place in the 17 Open Division at the USAV Junior Olympics.

“Liz is a very talented volleyball player, she is fierce competitor, expects to win, and has championship experience. She will compete and push for an outside hitter position early in her career,” said UMSL head coach Josh Lauer. “Liz is a solid defensive player, has a good jump serve, and has the potential to be a very dynamic attacker. Her competitiveness and desire to win will really complement her new UMSL teammates.”

Holstein, from Brownsburg, Ind., was an all-west region first team selection as a senior and was also named an academic all-state honorable mention selection. She played for the Circle City club team, and was a 2005 all-tournament team selection while helping lead the team to a second-place finish at the 2005 USAV Junior Olympics in the 18 American division.

“Carolyn is a defensive and ball control force. She will be a terrific addition to our team defensive concept,” said Lauer. “She can play any back row position, and bring a wealth of high-level club experience to the table. She is also a tremendous student that will represent our team and university well both on and off the court.”

Kinzinger is a setter from New Athens, Ill., who was named to the all-conference and all-area team in her senior year. She played for the St. Louis CYC club team that finished 19th in the country at the USAV Junior Olympics in the 17 Open division.

“Kayla brings immediate depth and experience to the setter position. She has a tremendous serve, which will also be an effective offensive weapon for the team,” said Lauer. “Kayla, like our current setter Lisa Brinker, is a hard worker and calm under pressure, which is exciting for our team to have another top-notch setter.”

UMSL finished last season with an overall record of 11-18, and finished 8-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference to finish seventh and earned a spot in the GLVC Tournament.