UMSL-Volleyball Announces the Signing of Four Student-Athletes

ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis

 head volleyball coach Trent Jones has announced

the signing of Corinne Hoekstra (South Holland,

 Ill./Illiana Christian), Liz Jaeger (Ballwin, Mo./St.

Joseph’s Academy), Samantha Martley (Stilwell,

Kan./Blue Valley) and Jordan Sackman (Topeka,

Kan./Seaman) to national letters of intent to join

the Tritons program beginning with the 2009-10

academic year.

“I am very excited about our incoming class,” said

Jones. “Each of these student-athletes brings a

wealth of talent and will instantly make us a better

team.”

Hoekstra, a middle and opposite side hitter, was a

three-year starter for Illiana Christian High School.

 She was a two-time Private School League

all-conference choice and was named The Times 2008

 Volleyball Player of the Year. Hoekstra was also a

two-time The Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times all-area

 pick and earned honorable mention honors as a

sophomore. As a senior, she recorded a team-high

 187 kills and posted a .420 hitting percentage, while

leading her team to a 28-7 record and a Private

 School League championship.

Hoekstra plays club volleyball for the Celtic Force

VBC where her 2008 team was the JVDA Club Division

national champions. Her 2007 squad was a Junior

Olympic participant.

“Corinne is a very talented offensive player who has

 the ability to play multiple positions,” said Jones.

“She will fit in perfectly with the offense that we want to run.”

Jaeger, an opposite side hitter, helped St. Joseph’s

 Academy to the Missouri Class 4A state championship and

a 31-11 record as senior. An all-conference honoree, Jaeger

recorded 122 kills, 75 digs and 39 blocks in her senior season.

 As a freshman and sophomore at Marquette Catholic, she

 earned all-conference honors and was named the small

school player of the year during her freshman campaign.

Jaeger plays club volleyball for the St. Louis CYC.

“Liz is another talented hitter that can play more than one

position,” Jones said. “She also brings a physical presence at

 the net, which is something we need to add.”

Martley is a transfer from Neosho County Community College

where she was a two-time second team all-district honoree as

a setter for the Panthers. A 2008 preseason all-American, Martley

 averaged 8.1 assists per game this year. She was also an

 all-conference pick and is a NJCAA Division II all-Academic

team selection.

“Sam is a talented setter that will be able to help us run our

 offense the way we want to,” said Jones. “Her height will also

 give us an advantage at the net.”

Sackman, a defensive specialist, earned honorable mention

 Class 5A all-state honors by the Kansas Volleyball Association

 as a senior after helping her team to a 37-8 record, recording

 215 digs and 34 service aces. She was also named to the

Kansas Class 5A state tournament team after helping Seaman

to a third-place state finish. Sackman also earned first team

all-Centennial League and all-city honors and was voted best

 passer, best defensive player and co-captain by her teammates.

As a junior, Sackman was named second team all-city and

 all-league. She earned honorable mention all-city honors as

 a freshman. She plays club volleyball for Invasion VBC.

“Jordan is a tremendous defensive player,” Jones said. “She

is extremely instinctive and very quick. She will be a great

addition to an already strong defensive team.”

UMSL posted a 23-8 record this season, including a 14-3

Great Lakes Valley Conference mark. Jones was named the

GLVC Coach of the Year.