Volleyball Signs DeMarchi, Ghormley, Utlak for 2017

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech volleyball coach Matt Jennings today announced that three players – Laura DeMarchi (Milan, Italy), Olivia Ghormley (Oneida, Wis.), and Megan Utlak (Parma, Ohio) – have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Huskies for the 2017 season.

"Laura, Olivia, and Megan are fantastic additions to our program and university," Jennings said. "These three bring an excellent record of academic and athletic achievement, along with a diverse set of experiences with them to Houghton that will add a great deal to our team and campus community. I am so thankful for the trust they've shown us in their decisions to become Huskies. I'm excited to get started with them this summer."

Laura DeMarchi is a 5-7 setter who played the 2015 season at Whittemore-Prescott High School in Whittemore, Mich., as an Italian exchange student. She was named team MVP that season. DeMarchi has been playing volleyball since the age of nine and was a two-time state champion in Milan, once in 2012 in the Under 14 category and the second in 2013 in the Under 16 group. Her teams were four-time district champions (2011-14) and three-time regional champs (2012-14). Individually, she received the Best Setter Award in 2012 at the regional and state level and then was recruited to play for Milan team and won the Best Setter award. DeMarchi played club volleyball for Amatori Atletica Orago in 2013 and 2014 and UniAbita Volley in 2015 and 2016.

"Laura is a great pick up and will add immediate depth at the setter position for us," said Jennings. "She really impressed us on her visit and after spending some time in the gym with her, it was clear that she could bring a lot of skill to our team. She's a competitor and a tough defender. In addition to her setting ability, she has solid ball control and a wicked serve.

"We're lucky to have her coming our way, and I'm excited to see what she can do once she gets here. I know she'll be a great addition to our team and seems to be a really good fit for us both from a volleyball standpoint and academically."

Olivia Ghormley is 5-11 outside hitter. She was named the 2016 Fox River Classic Conference Player of the Year during her senior season at Pulaski High School. She led the league in kills with over 430 while hitting .359. Ghormley was a three-time First Team All-Fox River Classic Conference selection and earned a spot on the 2016 National A2 Invitational Team Roster. She played three seasons of club for the Wisconsin Volleyball Academy and is one of the top students in her class.

"Olivia is a very good player that adds a great deal of scoring ability to our offense," Jennings said. "She has a strong arm, solid ball control, and can hit a variety of shots that score. Having trained with one of the stronger clubs in Wisconsin, she comes to us with the tools to see court time early on in her career. Whatever the case, once Olivia adjusts to the college game and settles into her role, I feel she could be one of the better scorers in the league.

"A high character kid and serious student, Olivia would be an asset to any team and we're just so glad she'll part of ours starting in the fall."

Megan Utlak is a 5-5 libero/defensive specialist. She was a four-year starter for Parma High School and four-time Northeast Ohio Conference All-Division selection. She was also a team captain and team MVP and one of the top students in her class. Utlak plays club for The Academy Volleyball of Cleveland.

"We first saw Megan play when she was libero and captain of one of the best 16 club teams in the nation," said Jennings. "Right away, we were drawn to her court presence and the way she commanded the backcourt at such a young age. Megan is a really smart player with a ton of ability. She's a relentless defender who will also add a lot to our serve receive. I believe she'll adapt very well into our system and to the college game in general. With the right amount of focus and willingness to improve, she has the ability to make a tremendous difference for us upon arrival."

The Huskies have appeared in the GLIAC Tournament in back-to-back years, winning over 15 matches each season. They finished tied for fourth in the GLIAC standings in 2016 and made an appearance in the regional rankings after playing one of the toughest schedules in all of NCAA Division II.