APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University volleyball team will add six new faces when it takes to the court this fall, Vikings coach Matt Schoultz announced today.
Bryttany Dove of Altoona, Iowa, Katie Kumbalek of Houston, Texas, Arianna Neumeyer of Manitowoc, Wis., Claire Vinopal of Park Ridge, Ill., and Nicole Witmer of Plainfield, Ill., are set to join the Vikings. Lawrence also gets sophomore Elizabeth Arco, a basketball standout playing her first season of volleyball.
“The 2015 class has talent that will help us with our ball control and offense,” Schoultz said. “I am extremely excited about this group and how they will fit into our team for the 2015 season.”
Elizabeth Arco, Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett High School, 6-1, Middle Hitter
Arco was a three-year varsity player and three-year letter winner for Bartlett High School. Arco earned All-Upstate Eight Conference honors as a senior. Arco also competed earned three letters in basketball and was a starter for Lawrence as a freshman. Academically, Arco was a four-year honor roll student and two-year member of the National Honor Society. The daughter of Al and Carole Arco, she plans to major in psychology.
Bryttany Dove, Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk High School, 5-8, Outside/Defensive Specialist
Dove was a two-year varsity player and two-year letter winner for Southeast Polk High School. Dove earned All-CIML-CIC Eastern Conference honorable mention as a senior. Dove also earned two letters in track and field. Academically, Dove earned three academic letters and received the Lamp of Knowledge pin. Dove has played club volleyball for IPVA, I80, Powerplex and Johnston VBC. The daughter of James Dove and Diana Johnson, she plans to major in Spanish and economics.
Katie Kumbalek, Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek High School, 5-6, Defensive Specialist/Libero
Kumbalek was a one-year varsity player and one-year letter winner for Cypress Creek High School. Kumbalek earned the Cypress Creek Cougar Award as a senior. The award is for “hard work on and off the court, dedication and respect of the game, teammates, coaches and positive attitude.” Academically, Kumbalek is an Honors Graduate, cum laude, a member of the National Honor Society and Academic All-District 17-6A selection in volleyball. Kumbalek has played club volleyball for Willowbrook Volleyball Club. The daughter of Steve and Betsy Kumbalek (both Lawrence alumni), she plans to major in film studies.
Arianna Neumeyer, Manitowoc, Wis./Lutheran High School, 5-7, Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Neumeyer won three volleyball letters for Manitowoc Lutheran High School. She was a first-team All-Olympian Conference selection as both a junior and senior. Neumeyer also was named to the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter All-Area Team as a junior and senior. Neumeyer helped lead her team to a conference championship in 2012 and a WIAA regional title in 2014. Neumeyer also competed in basketball and softball and was a multiple all-conference selection in both sports. Neumeyer plans on playing basketball at Lawrence. Academically, Neumeyer is a member of the National Honor Society, was an Olympian Conference Senior Scholar Athlete, Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winner, earned the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and was on the Honor Roll. Neumeyer has played club volleyball for Lakeshore Storm, Wisconsin Volleyball Academy and FC Elite Volleyball Club. The daughter of Troy and Lisa Neumeyer, she plans on majoring in biology (marine).
Claire Vinopal, Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South High School, 5-8, Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Vinopal was a one-year varsity player and one-year letter winner for Maine South High School. Vinopal earned Academic All-Central Suburban League honors. Academically, Vinopal was a Chicago History Fair superior state finalist for best medical documentary. She played club volleyball for The Edge Volleyball Club. The daughter of Paul Vinopal and Patricia Ginnis, she plans on majoring in neuroscience.
Nicole Witmer, Plainfield, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy, 5-11, Rightside Hitter/Middle Hitter
Witmer won two letters for Joliet Catholic Academy. Witmer helped her team to a state tournament berth and a second-place finish in 2014. Witmer earned the Most Improved Player award in as a junior and senior. Academically, Witmer is a National Honor Society member, Honors Program Student, President of Student Council as a junior and senior and Scholastic Bowl captain. Witmer played club volleyball for Belusa United Volleyball Club. The daughter of Mark and Debbie Witmer, she plans on majoring in English.
Lawrence opens its season on Sept. 1 when the Vikings travel to the Milwaukee School of Engineering to play MSOE and Wisconsin Lutheran College.