Nebraska head volleyball coach John Cook announced Thursday morning the addition of three high school standouts to the Huskers’ 2013 roster.
In addition to the in-state players slated to join the Huskers, the class includes Melanie Keil, Kira Larson and Justine Wong-Orantes.
“This group is really fitting for our program as we are graduating a large senior class with three Nebraska kids who have all had a major impact on our program,” Cook said. “These guys are going to determine the future and the next chapter of Nebraska volleyball as we move to the Devaney Center. They will get to kick off the first season at the Devaney Center and create a new tradition there. They have a tremendous opportunity to write the next chapter of Nebraska volleyball.”
Melanie Keil | 6-0, Middle Blocker (Berlin, Germany – VCO Berlin)
Melanie Keil will join the Huskers from Berlin, Germany where she competes for the club team VCO Berlin.
Keil has played for the U18 and U19 Germany National Team, competing in 70 national team games.
Kira Larson | 6-3, Middle Blocker (Fargo, North Dakota – Fargo North)
Kira Larson joins the Huskers from Fargo North High School in Fargo, North Dakota. She ranks as the No. 23 player in the country by PrepVolleyball.com and was selected as a Senior Ace. She also recently was named an Under Armour second-team All-American.
Justine Wong-Orantes | 5-6, Setter (Cypress, Calif. – Los Alamitos High School)
Justin Wong-Orantes will join the Huskers from Los Alamitos High School in Cypress, Calif. She has been a four-year starter at setter for her high school team, which is one of the top teams in the state of California.
She leaves Los Alamitos with more victories than any other player in program history, guiding the Griffins to a sectional championship last year and a 30-4 mark so far in 2012. She also helped her club team, Mizuno Long Beach, to the 2012 16-U Junior Olympics national championship.
In addition to her accomplishments with her high school team, Wong-Orantes is a standout beach player, having competed in the 2011 FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Youth World Championships in Croatia, finishing in a tie for ninth with her partner Sara Hughes.