University Park, Pa. — Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Penn State welcomes Dominique Gonzalez, Aiyana Whitney and Nia Grant, who will be eligible to compete for the Nittany Lions in the 2011 season.
"I think all three of the players are the kinds of student-athletes who will make great contributions to the Penn State program," said Rose. "They will have to adjust to the speed and intensity of the collegiate game, but have the talent to become great collegiate volleyball players."
Gonzalez is a 5-6 libero and setter from San Antonio, Texas. A four-year letterwinner at Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Helotes, Texas, Gonzalez was a 2009 AAU All-American and is a two-time All-Texas Team selection. A two-time first team All-District honoree, Gonzalez was named one of the "Frosh 59" and "Soph 79" by PrepVolleyball.com. She was also honored as one of the Top 100 Senior Aces. In addition to volleyball, Gonzalez is a three-year letterwinner in softball. Gonzalez also excels off the court and is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Math National Honor Society. She is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and earned 2009 Academic All-District laurels. Gonzalez plans to major in kinesiology.
"I think Dom is a player that has the ability to play any of the back row positions," said Rose. "She’s a player that has a great nose for the ball and someone we’ve had in camp for two or three years. Dom plays the game hard and will make great contributions in the back row."
Whitney is a 6-5 outside hitter from Norwood, N.J. She was a three-year letterwinner at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in Old Tappan, N.J. Whitney was a three-time first team All-League and first team All-County selection and a two-time first team All-State honoree. She also earned 2010 Under Armour/AVCA First Team All-America honors her senior season. Whitney guided her high school to three league championships, two Bergen County Championships and the 2010 State Championship. She plans to major in broadcast journalism.
"Aiyana just led her high school team to the state championship and was the MVP of the All-Star game," said Rose. "She is a great net player with good ball-handling skills and a frame to get strong with. I think she’ll be competing for one of the outside spots."
Grant is a 6-2 outside hitter from Warren, Ohio and was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Howland High School. She led the team in kills and blocks her freshman season and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for volleyball as a sophomore. As a junior, Grant was named the District I Volleyball Player of the Year, the team MVP and earned first team All-District I accolades. Grant was named to the Under Armour Watch list her senior season. In addition to volleyball, Grant was a four-year letterwinner in track and field.
"Nia was a little banged up this year so she didn’t play a full high school season," said Rose. "We’ve had her in camp for a few years and she can touch 10-6 and 10-7. She has the potential to play all three front row positions for us."
Penn State concludes the 2010 regulars season this weekend with matches at Iowa and No. 15 Minnesota. The Nittany Lions face Iowa at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 26, followed by a 9:30 p.m. ET match with the Gophers on Saturday, Nov. 27. Both matches will air live on the Big Ten Network.
