The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Volleyball: Volleyball announces Class of 2011

Northeastern volleyball coach Ken Nichols announced the team’s 2006 additions May 10, hoping to turn around last season’s injury-plagued 11-16 record.

Husky basketball fans will see a familiar face on the volleyball court in the fall. The fourth all-time leading scorer in Northeastern women’s basketball history, Maralene Zwarich will join the volleyball team for one season.

“She came to me her sophomore year with the idea,” Nichols said. “Every time I saw her we would talk about it. She is more a volleyball personality than a basketball personality. She is athletic and a well-trained player.”

Zwarich last played volleyball at Shawnee Mission North High School in Merriam, Kan. She was named first-team All Sunflower League both her junior and senior years, and a Johnson County All-Star her senior year.

She has worked out with the volleyball team twice already and Nichols said her knee, which needed surgery in April 2005, is in good shape.

“She knows the subtleties of the game that take years of training,” Nichols said.

Joining Zwarich is incoming freshman Jessica Tkachuk who signed a National Letter of Intent in November. The jump setter from Roseville, Calif. led her high school to its first league championship in 24 years with 118 kills and a .546 attack percentage.

“We have watched her make progress this spring,” Nichols said. “She was a fantastic setter already when we started recruiting. She has the physical and mental ability. She is a tough-as-nails leader and a good competitor.”

Outside hitter Marisa Fair, setter Ashley Magsanide and libero or defensive specialist Leah Neubeck complete the Class of 2011.

Fair joins the Huskies from Calabasas, Calif., where she played four years of both high school and club volleyball. She approached Northeastern after attending a camp here three years ago.

“We have had dialogue with Marisa for almost three years,” Nichols said. “She was thrilled with our school and we were equally happy to add her to our roster.”

The outside hitter will be available as a utility player for the Huskies.

“She will vie for back row time and can press to play right or left side hitter,” Nichols said. “She hits a heavy ball and is a smart player who sees the court well.”

Ashley Magsanide, a setter from Huntington Beach, Calif., played for the same club team as former Husky Kristen Deatherage. Like Fair, she is capable of playing more than one position. Magsanide is available as a libero, defensive specialist or setter.

“We have seen her play a couple of times,” Nichols said. “She is a little small for our front row but entirely capable of playing.”

The final addition to the 2006 Huskies is libero Leah Neubeck. The Golden Valley, Minn. native is a two-time, first-team Defensive Dandy, which ranks the top-ten high school defensive players every year.

“She is a court general with great touch and feel for the ball,” Nichols said. “She is cut from the same mold of competitive spirit; she’s a very intense player.”

The Huskies begin pre-season in August and kick off their second CAA season in September.

“Each kid comes from a dynamic background. We have enough structure here for each girl’s personality to blossom and still coexist,” Nichols said.

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