MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University Volleyball team is pleased to announce three student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period.

Nadia Atton (Midland, Mich./Dow), Jaelynn Block (St. Louis, Mich.) and Mackenzie Kepler (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) will join the team for the 2017 season.

 "We are extremely excited to welcome Nadia, Jaelynn and Mackenzie to the NU volleyball family," said first year coach Dave Shumaker.  "Not only are they a great fit for Northwood from an academic and team-culture perspective, each of them brings the athleticism and experience necessary to compete at the top of the GLIAC.  Our goal with this recruiting class is to increase our size, athleticism, and competitiveness in practice.  With these three commitments, we are well on our way to doing that.   We week look forward to seeing these ladies come into camp and compete for spots on the floor."

 

Nadia Atton (5-10, Outside Hitter)

Parents:  Scott and Laura Atton

High School:  H.H. Dow, Midland, MI

High School Coach:  Jeff Dietrick

Club Teams:  Michigan Elite Volleyball Club & Club Legacy

Honors:  2015 MVP of Saginaw Valley League, 2015 AVCA Phenom Team.

Intended Major:  Accounting

Shumaker on Atton

"Nadia is a prototypical GLIAC pin-hitter.  She has a big jump and can hit the ball with great pace.  She has the potential to be a six-rotation Outside/Right Side that can attack effectively from both the front and back rows."   

Jaelynn Block (5-10, Setter)

Parents: Tim and Buffy Block

High School:  St. Louis High School

High School Coach:  Jennifer Jaeck and Sara Bissell

Club Team:  Attack Volleyball Club

Honors: 2015 All-State Third Team, All-Region, All-Conference, Morning Sun Player of the Year.  Academic All-State. 2014 All-State Honorable Mention, All-Region, All-Conference, and Academic All-State

Intended Major:  Healthcare Management

"Although our current plan is to red-shirt Jaelynn, we will have her compete in preseason and make a final determination before our first tournament."  Jaelynn is a highly decorated high school setter who should adjust quickly to tempo and pace of GLIAC volleyball.  We are expecting great things out of Jaelynn."

Mackenzie Kepler (5-9, Outside Hitter)

Parents: Tom and Julie Kepler

High School:  Macomb, Dakota High School

High School Coach:  Tracie Ferguson

Club Teams:  Michigan Elite Volleyball Club

Honors:               

2015 All-County First Team; All-Region Team; Team Captain; Team MVP

2014 All-County Third Team; All Region Team; Team Captain

Intended Major:  Marketing/Entertainment, Sport Promotion & Management

"Mackenzie is another good jumper with 6-Rotatation potential as an Outside Hitter.  She hits an extremely heavy ball that is hard for defenders to handle."