Montana State Volleyball Announces 2005 Signees
5/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
In all, five student-athletes are set to compete for the Bobcats this season. MSU finished 19-8 overall and 10-4 in Big Sky action, last fall.
The five newcomers are Nicole Grypiuk, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan; Kyla Hendry, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Lanigan, Saskatchewan; Kami Buettner, a 5-foot-9 setter from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Kaytlin Van Burger, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Bend, Oregon; and Mikayla Fletcher, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Rapid City, South Dakota.
Grypiuk prepped at W.P. Composite High School in Shellbrook where she was a two-time team most valuable player. She captained last year’s squad to a fifth place finish at Provincials. Grypiuk was also a member of the all-Provincial team.
“Nicole is the type of athlete that you enjoy having on your team,” Malauulu said. “She is a tremendous competitor and brings a lot of intangibles to the squad. We’re very excited that she’s a Bobcat.”
Hendry prepped at Lanigan High School where she was the Female Athlete of the Year. A four-sport athlete, she led LHS to a No. 1 ranking in Provincials, last season. She also guided the squad to the 2003 Intermediate Girls Arima Challenge championship, and a Central District title, as well. She was the 2004 Provincial Champion in Junior Girls high jump.
“Kayla may be the most athletic player we signed this year,” Malauulu said. “She’s a very physical athlete and has a huge upside. Kyla is already very familiar with Bozeman, and her transition to the collegiate level should be very smooth.”
Buettner is a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville where she was a NJCAA All-Region 14-B pick. She finished 21st in the nation in assists per game, averaging 9.95 per outing. A two-time all-conference selection, she led UTB to an 11th place finish at the NJCAA national tournament. Buettner prepped at St. Mary’s High School where she was the 2003 Female Athlete of the Year.
“We needed experience at the setting position, so signing Kami was a necessity,” Malauulu said. “She brings maturity, experience and leadership to the team. I’m ecstatic to add such a quality athlete to the squad.”
Van Burger was a three-sport athlete at Bend High School. A three-year starter on the BHS volleyball squad, she captained the team as a junior and senior. For her efforts, Van Burger was a first-team all-league selection as a senior and a second-team all-league pick as a junior.
“Kaytlin is going to be a nice addition to the program,” Malauulu said. “She lived in Kalispell, before moving to Oregon, so it’s nice to get her back to Montana. Kaytlin has a lot of club experience and is a very intense competitor. She is going to be able to make an immediate impact this fall.”
Fletcher is an invited walk on who prepped at Rapid City Central High School. She served as team captain and was a GDC first-team selection as a senior. Fletcher guided her team to an 8th place finish at the South Dakota AA State Tournament. In addition, she was a starter on RCCHS’ 2003 state tournament team that placed third. Fletcher is also an all-state academic honoree.
“Mikayla was a nice surprise to be able to add to our roster,” Malauulu said. “She is a very good ball handler and we’re happy to have her be part of our program.”
The five newcomers are Nicole Grypiuk, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan; Kyla Hendry, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Lanigan, Saskatchewan; Kami Buettner, a 5-foot-9 setter from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Kaytlin Van Burger, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Bend, Oregon; and Mikayla Fletcher, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Rapid City, South Dakota.
Grypiuk prepped at W.P. Composite High School in Shellbrook where she was a two-time team most valuable player. She captained last year’s squad to a fifth place finish at Provincials. Grypiuk was also a member of the all-Provincial team.
“Nicole is the type of athlete that you enjoy having on your team,” Malauulu said. “She is a tremendous competitor and brings a lot of intangibles to the squad. We’re very excited that she’s a Bobcat.”
Hendry prepped at Lanigan High School where she was the Female Athlete of the Year. A four-sport athlete, she led LHS to a No. 1 ranking in Provincials, last season. She also guided the squad to the 2003 Intermediate Girls Arima Challenge championship, and a Central District title, as well. She was the 2004 Provincial Champion in Junior Girls high jump.
“Kayla may be the most athletic player we signed this year,” Malauulu said. “She’s a very physical athlete and has a huge upside. Kyla is already very familiar with Bozeman, and her transition to the collegiate level should be very smooth.”
Buettner is a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville where she was a NJCAA All-Region 14-B pick. She finished 21st in the nation in assists per game, averaging 9.95 per outing. A two-time all-conference selection, she led UTB to an 11th place finish at the NJCAA national tournament. Buettner prepped at St. Mary’s High School where she was the 2003 Female Athlete of the Year.
“We needed experience at the setting position, so signing Kami was a necessity,” Malauulu said. “She brings maturity, experience and leadership to the team. I’m ecstatic to add such a quality athlete to the squad.”
Van Burger was a three-sport athlete at Bend High School. A three-year starter on the BHS volleyball squad, she captained the team as a junior and senior. For her efforts, Van Burger was a first-team all-league selection as a senior and a second-team all-league pick as a junior.
“Kaytlin is going to be a nice addition to the program,” Malauulu said. “She lived in Kalispell, before moving to Oregon, so it’s nice to get her back to Montana. Kaytlin has a lot of club experience and is a very intense competitor. She is going to be able to make an immediate impact this fall.”
Fletcher is an invited walk on who prepped at Rapid City Central High School. She served as team captain and was a GDC first-team selection as a senior. Fletcher guided her team to an 8th place finish at the South Dakota AA State Tournament. In addition, she was a starter on RCCHS’ 2003 state tournament team that placed third. Fletcher is also an all-state academic honoree.
“Mikayla was a nice surprise to be able to add to our roster,” Malauulu said. “She is a very good ball handler and we’re happy to have her be part of our program.”
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