Indiana University Athletics
IU Inks Six Recruits
11/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Holm, a 5-11 setter from St. Charles, Ill., led St. Charles North to an undefeated season and a regional championship crown in 2004. While at North, Holm served as captain her final three seasons on the squad. Additionally, Holm was heavily lauded throughout her prep career with nine separate all-area nods by a variety of news agencies. Specifically, she was named the Player to Watch by the Chicago Sun Times in 2004 and tabbed a Senior Ace by prepvolleyball.com. Meanwhile, Holm was a three-time Upstate Eight All-Conference member for both her effort on the court and academically. For her performance in the classroom, the daughter of Janine and John Holm earned recognition by Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and was named a Commended Merit Scholar.
"Laura is a great leader and competitor," Weismiller said. "She is known by most of her teammates and opponents as one of the hardest workers. She never quits on a ball and makes incredible plays defensively. Laura will bring great experience in the setting position."
Langert, a 5-10 defensive specialist from Downers Grove, Ill., helped Montini Catholic to four consecutive regional championships from 2001 to 2004 as a four-year letterwinner on the squad. Over the past two seasons, Langert earned Chicago Sun Times Fab 50 recognition in 2003 and 2004, while also garnering all-area accolades in 2003 from both the Daily Herald and the Downers Grove Reporter. Meanwhile, Langert snared all-conference honors for her efforts on the court and in the classroom. Additionally, she participated in the 2003 U.S. National Holiday Invitational Camp and the 2002 and 2003 editions of the U.S National High Performance Pipeline Camp. The incoming freshman also took care of business in the classroom as evidenced by berths in the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the High Honor Roll. Jessica is the daughter of Candice and Andrew Langert.
"Jessica is a warrior," Weismiller said. "She is fearless on the court and loves to compete. She will bring depth to our defensive specialist position and will be a threat from the serving line."
Morgenstein, a 5-7 defensive specialist from Lincolnshire, Ill., was a two-year letterwinner who nabbed all-conference and all-area recognition her final year. Her Stevenson squad captured the North Suburban Conference, Cross Town Classic, Jacobs Invite and Stevenson Invitational crowns during her senior season as team captain. On the club circuit, Morgenstein competed at nationals in Atlanta in 2003 helped her squad to a 15th-place finish at the 2004 AAU Championships. Additionally, the daughter of Toni and Stuart Morgenstein epitomized the volunteer spirit that is so highly regarded by all Hoosiers during her high school career. She was a member of the Freshman Mentor Program, the Alternative Physical Education Program, while also earning the Prominent Patriot Award for her community service at Stevenson.
"Kari is one of those athletes that never quits," Weismiller said. "She has great court sense and is a true defensive leader. Kari will provide a great deal of energy to our practices and matches."
Shaufler, a 6-4 middle blocker from Salem, Wis., led Westosha Central to a pair of state championships the past two seasons, including an astonishing 47-1 ledger her senior year. Shaufler also helped her Wisconsin junior squad to the Junior Olympic National Invitational title as well as the Aasics Junior Volleyball Chicago crown. Additionally, Shaufler holds state Division I tournament three-game match records for both hitting percentage (.455) and total blocks (seven). She also competed for the Westosha track and field squad. Meanwhile, the daughter of Cynthia and Judson Shaufler has excelled in the classroom as demonstrated by her honor roll recognition and spot in both the National Honor Society and Student Council. Shaufler is also on course to finish her prep career as the valedictorian of her class.
"Ashley is just starting to mature into a great volleyball player," Weismiller said. "She is a great blocking presence and is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the middle. Ashley will see action in the middle or on the right side for us in the future."
Short, a 6-2 middle blocker from Orrville, Ohio, paced Orrville High to the 2003 Division III state championship as well as a trio of conference crowns during her high school career. The highly-touted defender was ranked No. 34 on the 2004 Prep Volleyball Senior List and earned first-team honors on 13 different occasions from a variety of publications and organizations. Additionally, Short garnered player of the year awards from The Daily Record, the Akron Beacon Journal and at the state, district and conference levels. Short also demonstrated her athletic versatility as a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain on the basketball squad. Short not only invests her time in volleyball on the court. She also helps to instill the fundamentals of the game in younger players as a coach for her local Boys and Girls Club. Erica is the daughter of Lizz and Eric Short.
"Erica is known for her smile as much as she is known as the terminator," Weismiller said. "She is a physical presence on the court both in blocking and hitting. Erica has the ability to be a force on the outside or in the middle. She will be a house hold name in the Big Ten in the next few years!"
Zulauf, a 6-1 outside hitter from Findlay, Ohio, helped Findlay High to a pair of Greater Buckeye League titles and the 2004 District Championship. After her senior season, Zulauf earned all-state and all-conference honors as well as a berth on Prep Volleyball's Top 112 Players in the United States list. She also garnered second team all-conference recognition for her junior season and was named the Premier Volleyball Club Most Improved Player. Additionally, Zulauf picked up all-league laurels in her sophomore season. As a member of both the Premier Volleyball Club and the Toledo Volleyball Club, Zulauf traveled extensively, including trips to Orlando, Fla., for AAU Nationals and Tampa, Fla., for the Molton Challenge. Scholastically, Zulauf claimed her school's Academic Achievement Award and Scholar Athlete Award, while being tabbed by the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. Emily is the daughter of Lynn and Gary Zulauf.
"Emily is going to be a great outside for the Hoosiers," Weismiller said. "She is just starting to realize her potential. She has a great jump and can terminate the ball. You can look for Emily providing a lot of excitement on the outside in the next few years."
Next up, Indiana concludes the year with a pair of Big Ten match-up at home. First, the Hoosiers tangle with Northwestern on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., before battling Wisconsin on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Both contests will take place at the University Gym.
