Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Volleyball Inks Three
11/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Marquette Volleyball Head Coach Pati Rolf announced today the signing of Tiffany Helmbrecht (6-2, MB, Maquoketa, Iowa), Monica Renfrow (5-10, S, Carlock, Ill.), and Kimberly Todd (6-2, OH, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) who will begin play for the Golden Eagles in 2004.
Helmbrecht comes to Marquette from Maquoketa, Iowa, where she garnered all-conference honors as a senior. Also named to her conference?s all- academic team, Helmbrecht showed the mettle on and off the court to be a valuable part of the Marquette program. As a senior, Helmbrecht?s offensive skills dazzled, as she landed in the area?s top 25 in three statistical categories. She was no. 4 in blocks, with 102 over 70 games, no. 25 in hitting average, converting 188 kills off of 408 attempts, and no. 25 in kills per game, at 2.7.
Rolf cited Helmbrecht?s athleticism as a key component to her development, ?Tiffany brings incredible athletic talent, and great experience in the block. Her athleticism and natural ability really enhances her potential.?
Monica Renfrow joins the Golden Eagles program as she continues to improve her surgically-reconstructed knee. Renfrow tore her ACL on Feb. 23, playing in a club volleyball tournament. After a successful April surgery and quick recovery, Renfrow returned in time to play for her Illinois Juniors Club team before starting the fall season with her Normal West HS teammates.
At 5-10, Renfrow will likely play setter for the Golden Eagles, though her attacking skills were often utilized in high school as she tallied 3.6 kpg. Regardless of her position, her 3.2 dpg will prove useful to a Marquette defense that already ranks second in Conference USA in digs per game.
Renfrow racked up numerous awards at the high school level. She was named first team all-area on two occasions, as well as All-Conference in three of her four years playing varsity for Normal West. The senior captain was also recognized by her teammates as MVP on two occasions. With over 900 kills and 500 assists during her high school career, Renfrow has the skills to contribute early on to the Golden Eagles? success.
?Monica has the top hands I?ve seen in a junior player. She has the strength and quickness to pretty much move the ball at will to any position on the court. Her size will be a major factor because she matches up well against the current crew of setters in Conference USA,? said Rolf following the announcement.
Kimberly Todd, a 6-2 middle blocker from Oshawa, Ontario rounds out Rolf?s 2003 signing class. An experienced member of the Candian National Junior Team, Todd has progressed through the lower ranks of Canada?s national program to earn a starting spot at middle blocker.
A senior captain of Anderson C.V.I. volleyball team, Todd alo excelled in basketball and track and field. Todd?s success on the playing fields was equally matched by her record in the classroom, where she earned a top- three ranking in her academic class in three out of the last four years.
Rolf and the coaching staff were excited to sign Todd, ?Kimberly is finest player I?ve brought in to Marquette. She touches about 10-2, and to have that size and ability playing at the outside position will bring us the power we need to compare with the top 20 teams in the nation.?
