Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Volleyball Signs 2 to Letters of Intent
4/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Central Michigan volleyball coach Erik Olson announced Tuesday the signing of two players to National Letters of Intent.
Laura Ann Willson of North Branch, Mich., and Kathia Sanchez of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, will join the Chippewas beginning with the 2015 season.
"We are very excited to welcome Laura and Kathia to our volleyball program," CMU coach Erik Olson said. "I think both will be critical additions to our program as we work to get our program back to a high level that we expect."
Sanchez, a 6-foot-1 junior setter, is a transfer from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she is the school's all-time assists leader.
Sanchez helped lead Iowa Western to NJCAA Tournament appearances in both of her seasons at the school, and she earned All-America honors in both 2013 and '14. She ranks among the school's all-time leaders in career assists.
"Having played since age 6 and coming from one of the top Division I junior colleges in the country, she will come in with a high level of experience at the setting position," Olson said.
"With great work ethic, Kathia has great potential. Our setters have to work very hard to learn the system, and to get to know our attackers. She will also enter our program as a junior, allowing us to regain our balance by having a freshman and a junior on the roster at the setting position."
Willson, a 6-1 outside hitter, played at North Branch High School where she finished fourth in the Michigan Miss Volleyball balloting in 2014, and was a Michigan Player of the Year nominee.
Willson was a three-time All-Stater and helped lead North Branch to the Class B state title in 2014. She was named one of the top 75 players in country, making her a National Player of the Year finalist, by PrepVolleyball.com; and was named Medium Schools Second Team All-American by MaxPreps. She played club volleyball for Oakland Elite.
"Willson has a nice arm with great control," Olson said. "She understands how to work a court with her shot selections. I believe she is going to be very coachable from the little bit I have worked with her in camps, and based on her high school coach's (Jim Fish) input. Laura's potential is very high as she adjusts to the collegiate level with continued strength building."
