Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Volleyball Announces 2019 Recruiting Class
6/12/2019 11:08:00 AM | Volleyball
Gawlik adds seven to the mix for 2019
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan volleyball coach Mike Gawlik announced today his seven-member 2019 recruiting class.
"We are excited to welcome in seven fresh faces to our program for 2019 to combine with a good core of returners," said Gawlik, who is entering his fourth year in charge of the program. "Each one has a unique story and a unique path that led them to CMU and we couldn't be happier to see what their futures hold. The additions give us depth in a variety of positions as well as provides some age to balance out our youth."
The class features student-athletes from far, wide and near, including a Mount Pleasant High School graduate, a native of the Dominican Republic, athletes from Kentucky and Missouri, two alumni of the Michigan-based Far Out Volleyball Club, and another who has taken an unorthodox path to the college-volleyball gym.
Sarah Curvin-Richardson, a 5-foot-10 middle blocker from Livonia who played at Clarenceville High School, is a Marine Corps veteran who served four years in Okinawa, Japan. She enters CMU as a true freshman, but one that is far from typical.
"Sarah is an elite athlete with an incredible mental toughness," Gawlik said. "She is a fast learner who has already impressed us with her coachability. We look forward to tapping into her life experiences and leadership skills."
Anna Erickson, a 6-foot outside hitter from Hopkins, Minn., is a product of Hopkins High School and Mizuno Northern Lights Volleyball Club, both longtime incubators of volleyball talent.
"She's been playing alongside elite-level players for her entire prep career, which has prepared her to be great at the collegiate level," Gawlik said. "She brings versatility and physicality and can fill in on either pin."
The two Far Out Volleyball Club alums are libero/defensive specialist Kasey Firestone of North Muskegon and Mount Pleasant High School graduate Ashley Alford, a 5-11 outside hitter/defensive specialist.
"Firestone is an elite athlete packed into a small frame. What stands out is her energy and her constant communication on the court. She has an excellent touch in serve-receive and a calm platform defensively. She is a great addition to our defensive core."
"We've had the opportunity to watch Alford blossom over her two years in Mount Pleasant," Gawlik said. "She has a very natural platform and a knack for being a good passer. She's been around the game forever and has an elite-level volleyball IQ. She can fill a lot of different needs."
Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez is a 6-foot middle blocker from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic who comes to CMU after graduating from Arizona Western College. She played in the Dominican Republic National Team pipeline and possesses a "powerful arm," Gawlik said. "Lisbeth has a wealth of experience playing at the international level. Her work ethic and infectious smile will be a great addition to our program."
Sierra Gray, a 5-10 outside hitter from Lexington, Ky., and Korie Otto, a 6-1 outside hitter/middle blocker from Jefferson City, Mo., round out the class.
Gray, a transfer from James Madison, "has a cannon of an arm and plays with fire and passion," said Gawlik, who compared her to former Chippewa Jordan Bueter. "She is someone we've seen play quite a bit as a high school player, so it was an easy decision to want to add her when she transferred."
"Otto," Gawlik said, "Impressed us at camp last summer when she came all the way to CMU from Missouri to show her skills. She's got a lightning-fast arm that will be terminal at the college level. I'm excited to get her on campus and work with her."
"With 19 players on the roster for 2019, it's clear that our gym is going to be very competitive on a daily basis," Gawlik said. "Each and every player on our roster can compete for playing time and step in when their number is called. I know this group will rise to that challenge and look to make a push forward in a tough Mid-American Conference."
• Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez • middle blocker • 6-foot • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Arizona Western College
Played for the Dominican Republic National Team from 2013-17 … named to National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region Team … led Arizona Western with 81 blocks and 27 solo blocks in 2018 and ranked second on the team with 184 kills … helped Arizona Western to a 21-6 finish.
• Sierra Gray • outside hitter • 5-10 • Lexington, Ky/James Madison University
Prepped at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky. under coach Dale Grupe … finished high school career with 1,200 kills, 400 digs, 260 aces … earned five varsity letters in volleyball … while at Henry Clay, was named to the all-district team three times, twice to the all-region team, and once to the All-State Tournament Team … played club volleyball for Lexington United under coach Chris Beerman.
• Korie Otto • middle/outside hitter • 6-1 • Jefferson City, Mo./Helias Catholic HS
Earned four letters at Helias Catholic while playing for coach Dave Harris … earned all-district and all-state honors in 2018 … was named second team all-region in 2017 … four-time Academic All-State selection … played club volleyball for Performance 18-1 and coach Aleah Hayes.
• Anna Erickson • outside hitter • 6-foot • Hopkins, Minn./Hopkins HS
Finished four-year high school career with more than 1,500 kills and more than 800 digs … earned first team all-state honors in both 2017 and 2018 … four-time All-Lake Conference selection … earned academic all-state honors in 2018 … two-time all-metro selection (2017 and 2018) … named an AAU All-American in 2016 … two-time team most valuable player at Hopkins … helped lead team to section championships and state-tournament appearances in 2015, '16 and '17 … earned three letters in track & field … played club volleyball for Northern Lights 18-1 under coach Adam Beamer.
• Sarah Curvin-Richardson • middle/outside hitter • 5-10 • Livonia, Mich./Clarenceville HS
Returns to competitive volleyball after serving four years with the Marine Corps … posted 497 kills and 262 digs during her senior year at Clarenceville … two-time all-region pick and two-time All-Western-Wayne Athletic Conference selection … named most valuable player at the 2014 Michigan Prep Volleyball Combine … earned three varsity letters in volleyball, two in soccer, and one each in track & field and basketball at Clarenceville.
• Ashley Alford • outside hitter • 5-10 • Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS
Finished two-year career at Mount Pleasant HS with 867 kills, 652 digs, 216 aces … holds Oiler records for career aces and kills (31) in a match … named Saginaw Valley League Most Valuable Player in 2018 … earned Division 1 All-State honorable mention from Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association in 2018, along with all-district and all-regional honors … names to SVL First Team in both 2017 and 2018 … named to SVL All-Academic Team in 2017 and 2018 … played for coach Ali Smith at MPHS … coached by her mother, Laura Alford, on the Far Out Volley Club from 2017-19.
• Kasey Firestone • libero/defensive specialist • 5-6 • Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon HS
Set North Muskegon High School program record with 594 digs in 2017 … four-year letter winner and three-time team captain … four-time All-West Michigan Conference selection … three-time Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association All-State honorable mention … four-time All-West Michigan Conference Scholar Athlete … 2017 AAU All-American … MLive Scholar Athlete of the Week … coached by Heather Claussen at North Muskegon … played for Grand Rapids-based Far Out Volleyball Club for three years, coached by Joe Steenhuysen
"We are excited to welcome in seven fresh faces to our program for 2019 to combine with a good core of returners," said Gawlik, who is entering his fourth year in charge of the program. "Each one has a unique story and a unique path that led them to CMU and we couldn't be happier to see what their futures hold. The additions give us depth in a variety of positions as well as provides some age to balance out our youth."
The class features student-athletes from far, wide and near, including a Mount Pleasant High School graduate, a native of the Dominican Republic, athletes from Kentucky and Missouri, two alumni of the Michigan-based Far Out Volleyball Club, and another who has taken an unorthodox path to the college-volleyball gym.
Sarah Curvin-Richardson, a 5-foot-10 middle blocker from Livonia who played at Clarenceville High School, is a Marine Corps veteran who served four years in Okinawa, Japan. She enters CMU as a true freshman, but one that is far from typical.
"Sarah is an elite athlete with an incredible mental toughness," Gawlik said. "She is a fast learner who has already impressed us with her coachability. We look forward to tapping into her life experiences and leadership skills."
Anna Erickson, a 6-foot outside hitter from Hopkins, Minn., is a product of Hopkins High School and Mizuno Northern Lights Volleyball Club, both longtime incubators of volleyball talent.
"She's been playing alongside elite-level players for her entire prep career, which has prepared her to be great at the collegiate level," Gawlik said. "She brings versatility and physicality and can fill in on either pin."
The two Far Out Volleyball Club alums are libero/defensive specialist Kasey Firestone of North Muskegon and Mount Pleasant High School graduate Ashley Alford, a 5-11 outside hitter/defensive specialist.
"Firestone is an elite athlete packed into a small frame. What stands out is her energy and her constant communication on the court. She has an excellent touch in serve-receive and a calm platform defensively. She is a great addition to our defensive core."
"We've had the opportunity to watch Alford blossom over her two years in Mount Pleasant," Gawlik said. "She has a very natural platform and a knack for being a good passer. She's been around the game forever and has an elite-level volleyball IQ. She can fill a lot of different needs."
Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez is a 6-foot middle blocker from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic who comes to CMU after graduating from Arizona Western College. She played in the Dominican Republic National Team pipeline and possesses a "powerful arm," Gawlik said. "Lisbeth has a wealth of experience playing at the international level. Her work ethic and infectious smile will be a great addition to our program."
Sierra Gray, a 5-10 outside hitter from Lexington, Ky., and Korie Otto, a 6-1 outside hitter/middle blocker from Jefferson City, Mo., round out the class.
Gray, a transfer from James Madison, "has a cannon of an arm and plays with fire and passion," said Gawlik, who compared her to former Chippewa Jordan Bueter. "She is someone we've seen play quite a bit as a high school player, so it was an easy decision to want to add her when she transferred."
"Otto," Gawlik said, "Impressed us at camp last summer when she came all the way to CMU from Missouri to show her skills. She's got a lightning-fast arm that will be terminal at the college level. I'm excited to get her on campus and work with her."
"With 19 players on the roster for 2019, it's clear that our gym is going to be very competitive on a daily basis," Gawlik said. "Each and every player on our roster can compete for playing time and step in when their number is called. I know this group will rise to that challenge and look to make a push forward in a tough Mid-American Conference."
• Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez • middle blocker • 6-foot • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Arizona Western College
Played for the Dominican Republic National Team from 2013-17 … named to National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region Team … led Arizona Western with 81 blocks and 27 solo blocks in 2018 and ranked second on the team with 184 kills … helped Arizona Western to a 21-6 finish.
• Sierra Gray • outside hitter • 5-10 • Lexington, Ky/James Madison University
Prepped at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky. under coach Dale Grupe … finished high school career with 1,200 kills, 400 digs, 260 aces … earned five varsity letters in volleyball … while at Henry Clay, was named to the all-district team three times, twice to the all-region team, and once to the All-State Tournament Team … played club volleyball for Lexington United under coach Chris Beerman.
• Korie Otto • middle/outside hitter • 6-1 • Jefferson City, Mo./Helias Catholic HS
Earned four letters at Helias Catholic while playing for coach Dave Harris … earned all-district and all-state honors in 2018 … was named second team all-region in 2017 … four-time Academic All-State selection … played club volleyball for Performance 18-1 and coach Aleah Hayes.
• Anna Erickson • outside hitter • 6-foot • Hopkins, Minn./Hopkins HS
Finished four-year high school career with more than 1,500 kills and more than 800 digs … earned first team all-state honors in both 2017 and 2018 … four-time All-Lake Conference selection … earned academic all-state honors in 2018 … two-time all-metro selection (2017 and 2018) … named an AAU All-American in 2016 … two-time team most valuable player at Hopkins … helped lead team to section championships and state-tournament appearances in 2015, '16 and '17 … earned three letters in track & field … played club volleyball for Northern Lights 18-1 under coach Adam Beamer.
• Sarah Curvin-Richardson • middle/outside hitter • 5-10 • Livonia, Mich./Clarenceville HS
Returns to competitive volleyball after serving four years with the Marine Corps … posted 497 kills and 262 digs during her senior year at Clarenceville … two-time all-region pick and two-time All-Western-Wayne Athletic Conference selection … named most valuable player at the 2014 Michigan Prep Volleyball Combine … earned three varsity letters in volleyball, two in soccer, and one each in track & field and basketball at Clarenceville.
• Ashley Alford • outside hitter • 5-10 • Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant HS
Finished two-year career at Mount Pleasant HS with 867 kills, 652 digs, 216 aces … holds Oiler records for career aces and kills (31) in a match … named Saginaw Valley League Most Valuable Player in 2018 … earned Division 1 All-State honorable mention from Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association in 2018, along with all-district and all-regional honors … names to SVL First Team in both 2017 and 2018 … named to SVL All-Academic Team in 2017 and 2018 … played for coach Ali Smith at MPHS … coached by her mother, Laura Alford, on the Far Out Volley Club from 2017-19.
• Kasey Firestone • libero/defensive specialist • 5-6 • Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon HS
Set North Muskegon High School program record with 594 digs in 2017 … four-year letter winner and three-time team captain … four-time All-West Michigan Conference selection … three-time Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association All-State honorable mention … four-time All-West Michigan Conference Scholar Athlete … 2017 AAU All-American … MLive Scholar Athlete of the Week … coached by Heather Claussen at North Muskegon … played for Grand Rapids-based Far Out Volleyball Club for three years, coached by Joe Steenhuysen
Players Mentioned
Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter
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Outside Hitter
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Opposite/Outside Hitter
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Defensive Specialist
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Outside Hitter
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Opposite/Middle Blocker
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