WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

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BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo head volleyball coach Sally Kus has announced the signing of Katherine Diduck (Yorkton, Saskatchewan/Sacred Heart), a 6-1 middle and outside hitter, to a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Buffalo beginning in the fall.

Diduck was a four-year letterwinner at Sacred Heart High School in Saskatchewan. She was a member of Canada's National Youth Team in 2001 and 2002 and Saskatchewan's Provincial Juvenile Team in 2003. Diduck has played club volleyball with the Melville Spirit and the Parkland Pounders. She also competed in basketball, badminton and outdoor track at Sacred Heart. She was valedictorian of her high school class.

"Kat joins our UB volleyball family as an all-around, great athlete who can help us at any position," said Kus. "She'll be a force to reckon with at the net and brings experience beyond her age."

Diduck joins freshmen Tamara Jule (Regina Beach, Saskatchewan/Riffel), a 6-1 outside hitter, and Lizaiha Garcia (Fairborn, OH/Beavercreek), a 5-3 libero, who committed to the Bulls during the early signing period.

In addition to the three signees, Kus also announced three additional freshmen and one sophomore transfer who will join the Bulls in the fall to complete the roster. Katie Clark (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West) is a 5-5 libero and defensive specialist, while Sara Hotz (Toledo, OH/St. Ursula Academy) is a 5-11 right side and middle hitter and Sarah Streib (Baldwinsville, NY/Baker) is a 5-11 outside hitter. Trisha Miazga (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/St. Joseph/North Carolina A&T) is a 6-2 middle hitter who played her freshman season at North Carolina A&T.

Clark was a three-year starter and team captain as a senior at Kenmore West High School. She was an All-Western New York Second Team and an All-Niagara Frontier League First Team selection as a senior and an All-Niagara Frontier League Honorable Mention pick as a junior. Clark led her team to a perfect 21-0 record and the Niagara Frontier League title in 2003. She was also selected as her team's best defensive player as a junior in 2002.

"Katie has proven to be a leader on her Ken West and Cheetah VBC teams," said Kus. "Her quality first contact will keep us in rallies and will help quicken our attack."

Hotz led her high school team to four Toledo City League Championship titles and to the state semifinals three times in her four-year career. She was an All-League Honorable Mention pick as a junior and an All-Academic Team selection as a senior. She also placed second at Nationals with her Toledo Volleyball Club team in 2003.

"Sara Hotz is another player who adds dimension to our lineup," said Kus. "She has experience at every position, and she knows what it takes to win."

Streib led her high school team to three league, sectional and regional championship titles. A team tri-captain, she was a first-team All-League pick and a third-team All-State selection as well as her team's Outstanding Player honoree. Streib has also competed in the Empire State Games in volleyball and was also a first-team All-League pick in tennis in doubles.

"Sarah Streib brings ball control and aggressiveness to our outside position," said Kus. "She comes from one of the best programs in the state and has tenacity to match."

Miazga joins the Bulls after averaging 1.53 kills, 0.32 digs and 0.48 blocks per game with a .202 hitting percentage in 32 matches at North Carolina A&T in 2003. One of five Canadians on the Bulls' 2004 roster, she won a Canadian National Championship title with her club team, RCVC Impact. Miazga was an All-Provincial selection as well as her team's Most Valuable Player at St. Joseph High School.

"Trisha will bring a year of Division I experience to the complex middle blocker position that will help our young team," said Kus. "She is intense, agile and a smart hitter."

The Bulls open the 2004 season at Syracuse on Wednesday, September 1.