Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Ink Four to NLI
11/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
November 17, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - Indiana volleyball head coach Katie Weismiller has announced that Gabrielle Allison (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine), Lauren Ditteon (Terre Haute, Ind./South Vigo), Annie Moddrell (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg Community) and Christine Nilles (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) have signed letters-of-intent to attend Indiana University beginning in the fall semester of 2004."I'm very excited about this recruiting class," said Weismiller. "We're adding a lot of much-need offense to our team next fall. We lose a couple of key players offensively, but we are bringing in more power. I think four or five years from now, we are going to be very disappointed to see this class graduate."
A two-sport star (volleyball and women's basketball) at New Palastine High School, Allison will bring experience as a middle and outside hitter. The New Palastine, Ind., native concluded her 2003 season being named the Hancock County Volleyball Player of the Year after pounding over 300 kills, 200 block solos, 100 block assists and 170 digs. A member of the Hancock All-County first team, Allison also earned all-conference honors for the second straight season and was selected to the Metro Indianapolis All-Star South team. Allison was honored as the team's MVP in 2002 and 2003 and was New Palastine's Offensive Player of the Year in 2003.
Academically, Allison was honorable mention academic all-state and earned a spot on the All-Academic A-Team her first three seasons. A member of the National Honor Society, Allison has a 3.987 GPA and ranks fifth out of 175 members in her class. She also earned the Presidential Academic Award of Excellence in 2000.
"She leaps about 10'2 and can hit over a block," said Weismiller. "The biggest factor for her will be experience. She is going to step on the court and be a terminator. We look forward to getting her on the court. She's big and physical and had a couple basketball scholarship offers. We can't wait to get her in the program."
"I felt welcomed by the team and the coaches," said Allison. "They were very complimentary and made me feel part of the team. I also liked the atmosphere of the campus and everything it had to offer academically and athletically."
Ditteon (6'0 right side) comes to the Hoosiers from Terre Haute South Vigo High School. A first-team all-state selection, Ditteon was invited to try out for the 2003 Senior South All-Stars. In 2003, Ditteon set school season records with 361 kills and 68 service aces and broke the school career mark with 151 service aces. The National Honor Society member led her team to a fifth-place finish at the Circle City National Tournament. The Terre Haute, Ind., native was named to the Indiana Junior Volleyball All-Stars in 2002. A three time all-conference member (2001-2003), Ditteon led her team to the state sectionals in 2002 and 2003.
In addition to her volleyball prowess, Ditteon showcased her talent on the basketball hardwood. In 2002, she was named all-conference as well as MVP at the Clabber Girl's Basketball Tournament as her team won the state championship. Ditteon is also a member of the track and field team.
"Lauren is going to have an opportunity to come in and have some big shoes to fill on the right side (departing senior Monique Pritz)," said Weismiller. "She's a great blocker and has great ball-handling skills. She's played setter before and can handle the ball on the right side. She is a great competitor who has played for a great high school program. We are looking for her to come in and not miss a beat on the right side."
"I had a different feeling when I visited IU, and it just felt like a second home to me," said Ditteon. "I was very impressed by Coach Weismiller. She cares about all of her players, and you can see that in the way she coaches. It was also a plus that IU is not far from home. IU is a perfect fit for me, and I can't wait to be there next year."
A 6'1 outside hitter from Mundelein High School, Nilles rewrote the record books during her career. The 2003 Daily Herald and Pioneer Press Player of the Year set a new Mundelein single season record with 429 kills and a new school mark with 1,052 career kills. Defensively, the Mundelein, Ill., native corralled over 300 digs each of the last two seasons, including a new school record 326 in 2003, and finished her career compiling a school best 791 digs. Nilles also set school records with 204 career aces and 727 career service points.
Nilles was rewarded for her spectacular play this season, being named Lake County All-Area Captain by the Daily Herald. The North Suburban Conference Player of the Year, Nilles was named to the all-area squad all four years of her high school career and was an all-conference member the last two seasons. In addition, Nilles was named North Suburban Conference Rookie of the Year her freshman season.
"Christine is a great ball control player," said Weismiller. "She's going to bring a lot of fire to the court. She can terminate, she's a good jump server, and she competes the whole match. She's just going to bring a lot of ball control and is a fiery player who is going to be fun to watch."
"The atmosphere at IU is exactly what I was looking for," said Nilles. "The coaches seem so involved with the players, and it felt right being in the gym. Everyone seemed so happy when I made my visit."
Rounding out the quartet, Moddrell heads to Bloomington from Freeburg Community High School in Freeburg, Ill. The 6'1 middle blocker averaged 4.52 kills per game along with 94 block solos during her high school career. Moddrell was named Prep Sports Athlete of the Week by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and garnered MVP honors at the Pumpkin Smash Tournament after Freeburg captured the championship at the event for the second straight season. Her leadership on the court led Freeburg to its fourth straight regional championship this season. In 2002, Moddrell earned first-team all-conference honors, first-team all-area honors and was honorable mention all-state.
Off the court, Moddrell excels in the classroom. A member of the National Honor Society, Moddrell is an honor student and received "Who's Who Among High School Students" honors.
"Annie is going to add some depth in the middle," said Weismiller. "She's going to gain some experience early, and she's going to have to be ready to play. She's a good blocker, is fast, can terminate and has a great vertical. In the long run, she is going to be a great player for Indiana University."
"I loved the team, and the coaches made me feel welcome," said Moddrell. "I felt really comfortable around everyone. I am really looking forward to spending my college years at IU and competing in the Big Ten Conference."
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
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Right Side
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Middle Blocker
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