Sarich Announces Incoming Recruiting Class

Riverdale, NY - Manhattan Volleyball Head Coach Lora Sarich has announced the signing of five student-athletes from around the country for the 2019 season.

Lizzi Brown, Elizabeth Case, Nashally Eleutiza, Kelly Markowski and Julieanne McKee all officially committed to Manhattan College late last year.

"We are more than excited to have these talented players join our team next season," said Sarich, who just completed her second year at the helm of the program. "We will graduate six seniors in May, and having such a large incoming class will help to fill that veteran void."

Brown, a 6'1" hitter, will join the Jaspers from Orlando, FL, where she played four years of volleyball at Bishop Moore High School. Brown won two state championships in her freshman and sophomore years, while her team finished as the state runner-ups in her junior season.
 

"Lizzi has been playing volleyball at an elite level since a young age," said Sarich, noting that Brown was a member of an AAU national championship team while in middle school. "She can attack from every position, which will help give us a lot of flexibility at the net."

Case, a 5'10" defensive specialist and hitter, grew up in Chattanooga, TN, and attended Baylor School. Her junior season, the team placed first in the state championship, and also participated in the Nike Tournament of Champions, an invite-only tournament for the nation's top 90 teams.
 

"Elizabeth's passing ability will make her a huge asset to our team," said Sarich. "As I tell my players all the time, passing is the foundation of the attack, and it's something we are striving to improve on next season."

Eleutiza is a junior college transfer out of New Rochelle's Monroe College. Originally from Orlando, FL, the 5'8" libero earned NJCAA All-America Second Team honors, finishing the year fourth in all of the NJCAA in digs. She was also an AVCA Third Team All-American selection this past season. Eleutiza's squad won the Region 15 and District M Championships, and she was the only libero named to the District L/M All-Tournament Team.
 

"Not only is Nashally an extremely talented player, but her experience will be hugely beneficial for our younger players," said Sarich, adding that Eleutiza will enter Manhattan as a junior. "I really envision her hitting the ground running and becoming an impact player for us right away."

From Winter Park, FL, Markowski is a 6'0" outside and right side hitter. She played volleyball for five years at Lake Highland Preparatory School, earning FHSAA Girls Volleyball Class 5A All-District First Team honors in 2017. She has been a member of three state championship runner-up teams, and took second at the AAU National Championship in 2016.
 

"Kelly's height and flexibility in the hitting positions will be an advantage for us next season," said Sarich. "I look forward to seeing how she can complement our other hitters on the attack."

McKee, a 5'8" setter, hails from Poughkeepsie, NY, where she played volleyball at Spackenkill High School. A team captain, she was named a First Team Section IX Class C All-Section player, as well as a All-State Third Team selection. McKee was also part of the 2017 and 2015 Section IX Class B Championship teams, and earned academic all-state honors in 2017.
 

"Setting is obviously crucial to any attack, and I'm excited to add another setter to our rotation," said Sarich. "Julieanne has been playing the position at the varsity level for five years, and that experience will help her transition to the college level."

Manhattan concluded the 2018 season at the MAAC Tournament in Lake Buena Vista, FL, where the Jaspers fell to the fourth-seeded Fairfield Stags. Freshman Vivian Donovan (Newport Beach, CA / Newport Harbor) was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team, while eight Jaspers were named to the league's All-Academic Team.