Volleyball Adds Seventh Recruit, Signs Junior College Transfer

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech volleyball coach Matt Jennings announces the signing of Rosie Aumann from Racine Wis., to a National Letter of Intent, during the late period. Aumann transfers to Tech from Kishwaukee College (Ill.) and joins six high school seniors that signed during the early signing period to play for the Huskies in 2014.

Aumann is a 5-8 setter. She was a two-year starter at Kishwaukee and two-time team captain. The team was 55-33 in the two seasons, including a 24-0 mark in the Arrowhead Conference. In 2012, the Kougars were 30-13 and finished eighth at the NJCAA national tournament. In 2013, the team fell in the district B regional finals to the eventual national champion. Aumann was a two-time all-region selection and two-time all-conference pick. Last year she totaled 1,029 assists (32nd nationally), 302 digs and 28 aces.

"Rosie completes our incoming class and roster so well," Jennings said. "She's a talented setter that will compliment Rachel (Pohlod) very well. Her background and solid playing experience will naturally fit in with what we've started to build. She's a great court leader in practice and matches. The idea of having Rachel and Rosie partner up and facilitate our setting efforts is very exciting."

Aumann was a four-time all-conference selection at Racine Lutheran High School. She holds the school records for assists in a career (3,523) and season (957). Aumann was also four-time AVCA All-Academic, three-time all-county, three-time team MVP and the school's athlete of the year during her senior year.

Aumann played club volleyball for Wisconsin Juniors and Southwest Volleyball Club.

Signing with the Huskies in November were middle blockers Stephanie Dietrich (Stillwater, Minn.) and Lauren Emmert (Northbrook, Ill.), outside hitters Noelle Eveland (Valparaiso, Ind.) and Annie Raisanen (Cokato, Minn.), and defensive specialists Halie Hart (Salem, Wis.) and Elle Heinonen (Delano, Minn.).

The seven signees join local talent Maria Almquist from Hancock, Mich., as the group of newcomers. Almquist came to Tech in 2013 after playing basketball for Northern Michigan in 2012-13. She enters the 2014 season eligible to compete after sitting out a year due to conference transfer rules. The 6-2 middle blocker is Hancock Central High School's all-time leader in kills. She was an all-state selection and the WestPAC Player of the Year in both volleyball and basketball.

"To say that Maria is athletic would be a major understatement," said Jennings. "Her work ethic and desire to learn the nuances of the game have been excellent. It's clear that she's determined to contribute to our team, and if she continues on this path of patient determination, she can be dominant. She's been a great addition to the group."

Tech starts the 2014 season against UW-Parkside at the SDC Gym on Sept. 4 with the first match of the Keweenaw Classic. The tournament is an eight-team, three-day event. The 2014 Tech roster will feature the newcomers and a group of underclassman who each contributed on the court.