Washington University in St. Louis Volleyball Announces Class of 2017

St. Louis, Mo., March 20, 2013 – Washington University in St. Louis head volleyball coach Rich Luenemann announced the six student-athletes who will make up the incoming freshman class for the 2013 season.

The six players will join the Washington University volleyball program from five different states: Caroline Dupont, Leawood, Kan. (Blue Valley North) (6-1, MH); Kalehua Katagiri, Kane’ohe, Hawaii (Kamehameha-Kapalama) (5-7, L/DS); Emmy Koppe, Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins) (5-11, MH); Amanda Palucki, Laguna Niguel, Calif. (Aliso Niguel) (6-0, OH/RS); Corey Salzer, Tampa, Fla. (Berkeley Prep) (5-9, L/DS); and Alex Sheredy, San Jose, Calif. (Presentation) (6-0, OH/RS).

“Our 2013 class is one of the strongest in the history of Washington University volleyball,” Luenemann said. “We’re adding six elite players, all of whom will be in the hunt for court time immediately. They also exhibit the persona of the WUSTL program – elite players with Spartan work ethics who are positive, energetic and success-driven competitors.”

Dupont, a three-sport letter winner at Blue Valley North High School, tallied 369 kills, 112 blocks, 110 digs and 43 service aces in leading the Mustangs to the 2012 Eastern Kansas League (EKL) title. She was a two-time all-state and all-EKL honoree.

“Caroline has the athletic ability and power to develop into one of the top middle hitters in NCAA Division III,” Luenemann said. “She swings well all along the net and is very quick with great transitional skills. We expect her to become an impactful player in our program. ”

Katagiri averaged 3.9 digs per set and finished with a .976 serving percentage as a senior at Kamehameha-Kapalama High School. She received 2012 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I first-team honors after leading the Warriors to their third-straight DI Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up finish. Katagiri’s team also won the 2010 HHSAA state championship, and finished as the state runner-up in 2011 and 2012.

“Kalehua is a premier libero with ball-control skills similar to Washington U. four-time All-American Kelly Pang,” Luenemann said. “Kalehua’s coach also coached Kelly, and compares the two very favorably. She’ll compete for immediate court time in 2013.”

Koppe helped lead Hopkins High School to a 26-4 record in 2012, recording 382 kills, 209 digs and 63 blocks as senior. A three-year letter winner, she earned all-conference honors in 2011 and 2012, and academic all-state recognition in 2012.

“Emmy is a terminal attacker and strong blocker,” Luenemann said. “She also showed impressive back-row skills, and is in the mold of former WUSTL All-American Lauren Budde. Emmy is destined to follow in the footsteps of the great middles in the history of Washington U. volleyball.”

Palucki was a three-year letter winner at Aliso Niguel High School, and recorded 202 kills and 100 digs as a senior. She helped lead the Wolverines to the 2011 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quarterfinals, and was named among the 2012 players to watch by OC Varsity.

“Amanda is an outside hitter who can terminate,” Luenemann said. “An essential characteristic of a big swing on the left side is the ability to beat the digger with power. Amanda has that power and will prove to be one of the Bears’ strongest attackers.”

Salzer, a four-year letter winner in volleyball and basketball at Berkeley Preparatory School, tallied 370 digs (4.2 per set) and 20 service aces as a senior. She helped lead Berkeley Prep to three-straight Class 4A state championships from 2009-11, and a runner-up finish in 2012. Salzer was named to the 2012 All-Hillsborough County first team by The Tampa Tribune and The Tampa Bay Times.

“Corey is an outstanding player from the perennially strong Berkeley Prep volleyball team,” Luenemann said. “Her ball-control prowess and aggressive play will find her competing for court time as a freshman.”

Sheredy recorded 653 kills, 480 digs, 121 ace serves and 87 blocks in her final two seasons at Presentation High School. She was named to the 2012 all-state first team, and was also a two-time WCAL all-league honoree, while helping the Panthers to the 2011 state championship and a 41-2 record.

“Alex is a very talented outside hitter who is evolving into a six-rotation player, something we haven’t had in the program for a few years,” Luenemann said. “She will make an impact as a Bear right away in both the front and back rows.”

Washington University completed the 2012 season with a 31-4 overall record. The Bears finished second in the University Athletic Association (UAA) and advanced to the NCAA Division III Regional Championship for the 26th year in a row.

Caroline Dupont • 6-1 • MH • Leawood, Kan. (Blue Valley North)
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-sport letter winner (volleyball, soccer, basketball) at Blue Valley North High School … Recorded 369 kills on 683 attacks as a senior … Also tallied 112 blocks, 110 digs, 43 ace serves and a .917 serving percentage … Helped Blue Valley North to a state runner-up finish in 2011 and a fourth-place finish in 2010 … Led Blue Valley North to the 2012 Eastern Kansas League championship … Two-time all-state honoree (first team, honorable mention) … Received all-EKL honors twice (first team, second team) … Selected to the 2012 6A State Tournament Team … Member of the 2012 Kansas All-Star Team … Jack Dresslar scholarship winner … Blue Valley North Spanish 2.5 Student of the Year … PERSONAL: Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences … Daughter of Philip Dupont and Mary Nan Dupont.

Kalehua Katagiri • 5-7 • L/DS • Kane’ohe, Hawaii (Kamehameha-Kapalama)
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year letter winner at Kamehameha-Kapalama High School … Averaged 3.9 digs per set and finished with a .976 serving percentage in 2012 … Named to the 2012 Top-15 In-State Players list … Received 2012 Interscholastic League of Honolulu DI first team honors … Selected as a Special Mention All-American by PrepVolleyball.com … Helped lead the Warriors to the 2010 HHSAA state championship, and runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2012 … Three-time Division I Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up (2010, 2011, 2012) … National Honor Society treasurer … Principal’s List four years (4.0+ GPA) … Academic Excellence Award … Wellesley Book Award for outstanding academics and leadership … PERSONAL: Majoring in psychology … Daughter of Robert and Kanoe Katagiri.

Emmy Koppe • 5-11 • MH • Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins)
HIGH SCHOOL: Team captain and three-year letter winner at Hopkins High School … Recorded 382 kills, 209 digs and 63 blocks as a senior … Helped lead the Royals to a 26-4 record in 2012 … Received WCCO/Old Dutch Minnesota High School Athlete of the Week honors in 2012 … Named the 2011 Rookie of the Year … Two-time all-conference honoree (2011, 2012) … Selected to the 2012 academic all-state … National Honor Society … AP Scholar … PERSONAL: Enrolled in Olin Business School … Daughter of Dave and Ann Koppe.

Amanda Palucki • 6-0 • OH/RS • Laguna Niguel, Calif. (Aliso Niguel)
HIGH SCHOOL: Team captain and three-year letter winner at Aliso Niguel High School … Tallied 202 kills and 100 digs as a senior … Helped lead the Wolverines to the 2011 CIF quarterfinals … Received the Service Ace Award (Dig Pink Event) … Listed among the 2012 players to watch by OC Varsity … Named Highest Honorable Mention Academic All-American by PrepVolleyball.com … AP Scholar with distinction … Scholar Athlete (three years) … Superintendent’s Honor Roll … PERSONAL: Majoring in mathematics … Daughter of Raymond and Lynne Palucki.

Corey Salzer • 5-9 • L/DS • Tampa, Fla. (Berkeley Prep)
HIGH SCHOOL: Team captain and four-year letter winner in volleyball and basketball at Berkeley Preparatory School … As a senior, tallied 370 digs (4.2 per set), 20 service aces and 387 serves received … Helped lead Berkeley Prep to three-straight Class 4A state championships (2009, 2010, 2011), and a runner-up finish in 2012 … Named 2012 All-Hillsborough County Volleyball First Team by The Tampa Tribune and The Tampa Bay Times … Competed at the Pan American Games in Brazil in 2011 as a member of the Maccabi USA Volleyball Team … Mu Alpha Theta Society president and Math Club vice president in 2012 … Rocketry Club vice president (2011, 2012) … National Merit Commended Scholar … National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society … Member of the Math, English and Science Honor Societies … PERSONAL: Majoring in biomedical engineering … Daughter of Steve and Laura Salzer.

Alex Sheredy • 6-0 • OH/RS • San Jose, Calif. (Presentation)
HIGH SCHOOL: Team captain and two-year letter winner at Presentation High School … Tallied 374 kills, 299 digs, 43 aces and 45 blocks as a senior … Recorded 279 kills, 181 digs, 78 aces and 42 blocks in 2011 … Helped lead the Panthers to the 2011 state championship and a 41-2 record … Named to the 2012 all-state first team … Also received 2012 WCAL all-league and all-CCS first-team honors … Selected to the 2011 All-Santa Clara County second team and the WCAL all-league honorable mention … Named to the 2011 AVCA Academic Team … Dean’s List … PERSONAL: Majoring in biomedical engineering … Daughter of Joseph Sheredy and Lori Treseder.