Lady spikers' table set with new recruits

When the cupboard's empty, go shopping.

Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose filled his cart during the national letter of intent volleyball signing period last week. Rose restocked the Lady Lions' shelf full of talent for next season.

Rose inked three top high school seniors to scholarships to counteract the departure of three seniors (Terri Zemaitis, Teri Wroblewski and Jen Burdis) graduating from last season's national champion runner-up squad. Rose covered all the necessary positions on his shopping list. Coming to play for the Lions next year will be middle hitter Mishka Levy, outside hitter Amanda Rome and setter Shannon Bortner.

"We recruited players we needed for our system and our needs," Rose said.

Mishka Levy: This 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Episcopal High School in Stafford, Texas, may contend for the net position vacated by 1997 first-team All-American Terri Zemaitis.

"Mishka was recognized as one of the top high school players," Rose said. "She is very good offensively and has the potential to be a dominant player. How well she makes the transition to collegiate volleyball will determine a great deal of her success. Her potential is very, very high."

Levy is already familiar with a few Lion players. She played on the 1997 Youth National Team with redshirt freshmen middle hitters Nadia Edwards and Katie Schumacher. Levy was a second-team high school All-American as voted on by Volleyball Magazine.

Amanda Rome: Rome, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Chaska, Minn., brings a high volleyball IQ to the program and is regarded by Rose as the best player in the country at her position.

Rome led Chaska High School to three Class AA Minnesota state championships in five years and was named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. The Volleyball Magazine first-team high school All-American played on the same club team as current Penn State junior Nikki Higley.

"Amanda has all the skills and knowledge to come in and play immediately," Rose said. "It was important to replace the volleyball knowledge we graduated two years ago (in Angie Kammer and Heidi Rottinghaus)."

Shannon Bortner: A 6-foot setter from Dallastown, Pa., Bortner becomes the only true setter on the team behind 1997 first-team All-American Bonnie Bremner.

Regarded by Rose as the best player in Pennsylvania and the entire Northeast, Bortner was the 1996 and 1997 Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania. She was also an all-state and all-district player each of the past two years.

Rose said it is unlikely Bortner will see much time during the upcoming season due to the presence of Big Ten Player of the Year Bremner, who will be a junior, and will likely be redshirted.

"Shannon is clearly the best player in Pennsylvania and in my mind the Northeast," Rose said. "She is one of the top setters in the country. I want her to come in here and compete."

Rose looks forward to coaching the latest additions to the Lady Lion volleyball program.

"All three kids I can make laugh and they can make me laugh," Rose said. "That's what I'm looking for. Kids with personality and spice, not necessarily the best physical specimen. That's what Penn State women's volleyball is all about."

With this recruiting class Penn State women's volleyball may return to the national championship -- on a full stomach.