12/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 9, 2014
CONWAY - The Coastal Carolina volleyball team will welcome in four newcomers as part of its 2015 recruiting class, head coach Jozsef Forman announced on Tuesday.
Sara Boothe (Lincoln, Neb.), Iva Mandic (Podgorica, Montenegro), Alise Petersone (Riga, Latvia) and Natasa Savovic (Belgrade, Serbia) have all committed to continuing their volleyball careers at Coastal Carolina, beginning in the 2015 season.
"We are very excited to welcome these four additions to our Chanticleer family," said Forman. "They are very serious about what they intend to accomplish at Coastal. They are not only talented athletes, but outstanding students and high-character players. I believe they will make an immediate impact on our program. We look forward to the unique assets that each of these players will bring to our program, and Chanticleer fans will enjoy watching them."
Sara Boothe
Position: Setter
Height: 5-7
School: Pius X HS
Boothe plays her interscholastic volleyball at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb., where she was a three-year varsity letter winner and starter, and was named team captain for the 2014 season.
Pius X was a state tournament qualifier each of her first three seasons, reaching the Class B Quarterfinals in 2013 and finishing third place in Class A in 2012.
Boothe's play at Pius X has earned her several accolades, including first team Class B All-State recognition by the Omaha World Herald, Associated Press and NebraskaPrepVolleyball.com, as well as a second team All-City nod from the Journal Star.
Boothe closes her interscholastic career holding Pius X's single-match assist record. She is also an excellent student, boasting a 3.4 GPA.
Â"Sara is a well-rounded setter with a high volleyball IQ," said Forman. "Her jump setting skills are outstanding. She also has a strong work ethic and great attitude, which makes her a valued teammate and leader. With her communication style and temperament, she knows how to bring out the best in her hitters and execute the game plan precisely. I am very excited for her to become a part of our Chanticleer program."
Iva Mandic
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 6-2
Club: Moraca
National Team: Montenegro Junior Volleyball National / Senior Women's Volleyball National Teams
Mandic currently competes for both the Montenegro Junior and senior National Teams, as well as her club team, Moraca. She has been a captain of the Junior National team since 2010, and is also a captain of Moraca, where she has played since 2009.
With the national team, Mandic competed in the 2011 and 2012 Balkan Games, and the 2013 European Championship held in Montenegro. While playing for the junior national team, Mandic saw action in the 2010, '12 and `14 European Championship qualifiers, as well as the 2012 Balkan Games in Turkey.
She has also received several individual awards while representing her country. In 2008, Mandic was named Most Promising Player in Montenegro's youth competition. Following that, she was named Best Hitter at the 2009, '10, and '11 Montenegrin Cadet Championship, Best Outside Hitter at the 2010 Montenegrin Youth Championship, and Most Valuable Player at the 2012 Montenegrin Junior Championship.
"We are delighted to have Iva join our Chanticleer family," said Forman. "Iva is a great leader with outstanding passing and hitting skills. She is a six rotation player with extraordinary drive and passion for the game. Her personality, determination and work ethic are a perfect fit for our program. She has a competitive spirit but she is also very supportive of her teammates."
Alise Petersone
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6-3
School: Zvejniekciems Secondary School / Riga Volleyball School
National Team: Latvian junior, senior and Beach Women's Volleyball National Team
Petersone has played indoor volleyball for Zvejniekciems Secondary School, Riga Volleyball School and the Latvian National Team. She has also competed in several beach volleyball events, including the 2014 Latvian Championship (5th-place finish) and 2014 U19 World Championship (17th-place finish).
Petersone helped Zvejniekciems Secondary School to first and third place finishes at the Latvian Youth Championship in 2006 and 2008, respectively, as well as a third-place finish at the 2010 Baltic Youth Championship. With Riga, she competed in the 2010 Latvian Youth Championship, 2013 Latvian Youth Championship and 2013 Latvian Youth Summer Games, finishing first, second and first, respectively.
Petersone was a four-time MVP at the Latvian Youth Championships, and received the same honor playing for the national team at the 2014 U19 European Championship.
"We are thrilled to have Alise join the Chanticleer volleyball program," said Forman. "Alise is a very talented middle blocker with impeccable credentials. She has high levels of both international indoor and beach volleyball experience."
Natasa Savovic
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 5-11
College: College of Southern Idaho
School: Sportska Gimnazija
National Team: Serbian Women's Beach Volleyball National Team
Savovic comes to Coastal after playing at College of Southern Idaho, where she was named the 2014 Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was a first team all-conference selection. She was also a three-time conference Player of the Week this past season, and was named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Player of the Week on Oct. 8. Most recently, Savovic was named a NJCAA first team All-American.
The 5-11 outside hitter led Southern Idaho averaging 3.01 kills per set while hitting .322, and recording 45 service aces, 323 digs and 45 blocks. Savovic led the Golden Eagles to a 32-2 overall record, as well as SWAC and Region 18 Championships and a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament where CSI finished third. She was named to the Region 18 first team and was tabbed Region 18 Tournament MVP.
Savovic is also competing with Serbia's Women's Beach Volleyball National Team, which has reached the third round of qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Originally from Serbia, Savovic attended high school at Sportska Gimnazija where she won a national championship and was named her team's Most Valuable Player.
"I am beyond excited that Natasa has decided to continue her volleyball career here at Coastal Carolina," said Forman. "She has a plethora of high level playing experience from the College of Southern Idaho. I am really excited that she was named a NJCAA first team All-American, and I believe she will bring strong leadership and competitiveness to our program. Her unique personality and maturity level will be a great addition to the culture of our team."
W. Volleyball. Volleyball Announces Four Signees for 2015: The Coastal Carolina volleyball team will welcome i... http://t.co/EnAOX8pkqs
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