Hoosiers Sign Exceptional 2018 Class

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana Volleyball head coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan announced the signing of three student-athletes during the early signing period Wednesday. The nationally acclaimed 2018 recruiting class includes 6-4 middle blocker Alexandria ("Lexi") Johnson (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 6-2 outside hitter Breana Edwards (Rainier, Ore.) and 6-5 setter Courtney Buzzerio (Chino Hills, Calif.).

"As a staff, we could not be more excited to welcome these three student-athletes to Indiana University," IU head coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said. "This dynamic recruiting class addresses some immediate needs that will take our program to a new and competitive level. To win in the Big Ten Conference, you need size and physicality – this class brings both. Bringing in a 6'5" setter, a 6'4" middle blocker and a 6'2" outside hitter was needed to help our program take the next step. We have to be able to contend with the best in the country in our conference, and this class allows us to do just that."

Lexi Johnson
6-4 | Middle Blocker | Scottsdale, Arizona | Notre Dame Prep
Club: Arizona East Valley Juniors

Johnson High School and Club Accolades
PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace
All-Conference First Team
Conference and Notre Dame Prep Offensive Player-of-the-Year
Notre Dame Prep record for career blocks
Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) 5A Offensive Player of the Year
Led her conference with 532 kills in junior season
2015 AIA State Championship
Club team won nationals in 15 open, runner-up in 16 open
VolleyballMag.com FAB 50 Honors

Johnson Off-the-Court Notables
Daughter of Lisa Johnson and Randy Johnson
Father Randy inducted into Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015
Sister Willow plays volleyball at the University of Oregon
Loves scary movies, Halloween, skiing and snowboarding

"Lexi Johnson is a phenomenal athlete and comes from a family of athletic greatness," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "She has length and speed which is a winning combination at the middle blocker position. Throughout the recruiting process, it became clear that Lexi wants to compete and win against the very best in the country. She will provide an immediate impact for our program."

Breana Edwards
6-2 | Outside Hitter | Rainier, Oregon | Rainier High School
Club: Athena Volleyball Club

Edwards High School and Club Accolades
PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace
MaxPreps All-American
4x Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) All-State Honoree
3x OSAA First Team All-State
4x 3A-1 Lewis & Clark First Team All-League
3x 3A-1 Lewis & Clark League Player-of-the-Year
Led Rainier to a 4^th Place finish at the 2017 OSAA State Tournament

Edwards Off-the-Court Notables
Daughter of Mike and Tina Edwards
Mother played volleyball at the University of Oregon
Father is her high school coach
Lettered three years in track and field (high jump)
Loves animals, reading and listening to music

"Breana Edwards is a huge get for us," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "She is long and her range offensively is special for someone her age. She is a 6-rotation hitter that can terminate shots and pass remarkably well – and that's what you need in the Big Ten. She's going to be a fan favorite based on her infectious personality and will to win. I'm most excited that she hasn't even scratched the surface of the type of athlete she can be. She's going to have a very successful career at Indiana."

Courtney Buzzerio
6-5 | Setter | Chino Hills, California | Orange Lutheran High School
Club: Coast Volleyball Club

Buzzerio High School and Club Accolades
PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace
California Federation Scholarship member
2016 First Team All-Trinity League
2015 Second Team All-Baseline League
Third Place in 16 Open for 2016 Junior Nationals
Third Place in 17 Open for 2017 Triple Crown
Third Place in 17 Open for JVA West Coast Cup
2016 CIF Quarterfinalist

Buzzerio Off-the-Court Notables
Daughter of Tony and Dana Buzzerio
Sister Meghan plays volleyball at the University of Iowa
Intended major at Indiana is Biology
Loves cooking and baking

"Courtney Buzzerio is a high-quality athlete that helps our program in many ways," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "At 6'5", she's the tallest setter I've ever coached and will present an immediate help with our blocking system. She's versatile in that she can also hit, which gives our offense more advantages. She is a skilled and smooth player that will add quality to our system and allow us versatility."

"While these three student-athletes come from outstanding and successful backgrounds, they are first and foremost great young ladies that we are happy to have as part of our Hoosier family," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "Individually, they each had many opportunities to attend other national championship-level programs in the Pac-12 and Big XII, but they chose us – and we could not be more excited about our future. Returning 14 letter-winners next season along with Lexi, Breana and Courtney plus the addition of Wilkinson Hall next fall - our program has a limitless ceiling as to how far we can climb. It's going to be a very exciting time to be an Indiana Hoosier!"

Indiana University Athletics

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