March 10, 2010

Three Incoming Freshmen Named Senior Aces

BUFFALO, NY – Three of UB's four incoming freshmen have been named Senior Aces by Prepvolleyball.com the website announced earlier this week. On that list were Christine Fritsche (Parma, OH/Parma), Dani Reinert (Cincinnati, OH/Ursuline Academy) and Kelly Svoboda (Cleveland, OH/Trinity).

"This is a great achievement for our first full class here at Buffalo," said head coach Todd Kress. "I am thrilled about the ability that each of these young ladies will bring to our team and I couldn't imagine building a program with any other group."

Fritsche has led her team to a club national championship, where she was named the tournament's most valuable player. In 2008, she led her high school to the Division 2 state championship, where she was named to the North Coast League All-Conference First Team. This season, Fritsche has helped lead her team to a 23-2 record, including a 12-0 mark in league play.

Reinert, who earlier this season was given the Andi Collins Award as the nation's top senior setter, was recognized as area Player of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Her Ursuline Academy Lions went undefeated in the brutal Girls Greater Cincinnati League and compiled a 57-1 record during that span, culminating in an Ohio Division I title in 2009. Reinert also was named as the GGCL Player of the Year and District 16 Player of the Year. She averaged 10.8 assists per game with 160 digs on the season, serving at a 90.4 percent mark. As a junior, Reinert was also named District 16 Player of the Year as she picked up first-team All-State and All-GGCL honors.

Svoboda, who is a libero, led the Cleveland Volleyball Club to the 2009 National Championship in the 17's National Division. Svoboda's club team has qualified for Nationals in each of the last three years. At Trinity High School, Svoboda played outside hitter where she recorded 326 kills and 609 digs on the year. For her career, she has 1,510 digs at Trinity. She has been Team MVP for each of the last three seasons and a four-year All-North Coast League Team member. Svoboda is also a two-year first-team All-Northeast District selection and has been on the honor roll for every semester during high school.