EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team announced that 6’0” middle blocker Emily Diedrich, 5’10” outside hitter Kristy Gerardot, and 5’7” freshman defensive specialist Kayla Heldman signed national letters of intent during the early signing period to compete for Head Coach Leah Mercer’s Screaming Eagles in 2010.
Diedrich is currently a senior at Castle High School (Newburgh, Indiana) where she was a member of four sectional championships. Diedrich, who earned All-Conference honors three times and All-Metro honors once, was selected to the Indiana South All-Star team this past fall.
An all-around student-athlete at Castle, Diedrich earned All-Conference and All-State honors on the track and competes in basketball as well.
“Emily played a significant part on the Hoosierland Volleyball Club top 18’s team last year,” Mercer said. “It has been exciting to watch her mature into a successful student-athlete during the last three club seasons.”
Diedrich led her club team to a regional championship in 2008 and helped them qualify for Junior Olympic Nationals in 2007 and 2008. “Emily has played with and competed against some of the nation’s top talent,” Mercer said. “She is the type of student-athlete we need to take us to the next level. I expect her to make an immediate impact on our program.”
Gerardot is currently a senior at Bishop Luers High School (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) where she earned three All-Conference honors as well as two All-Area accolades on the volleyball court.
Like Diedrich, Gerardot has been recognized for her athletic ability in multiple sports. In addition to volleyball, Gerardot competes in basketball and softball. She is a two-time All-Conference honoree on the softball field and helped BLHS to sectional championships in volleyball, basketball, and softball.
“I had the privilege to coach Kristy at our camp this past summer,” Mercer said. “She had the opportunity to get in the gym with our team and she really caught my eye.
“Kristy had a great run with her high school program this year winning sectionals and has been a huge part of the N3 Volleyball Club success last summer as they placed seventh at Junior Olympic Nationals,” Mercer continued. “I look for her offensive and defensive abilities to play a big part on our team next year.”
Heldman is currently a senior at Center Grove High School (Greenwood, Indiana) where she has earned varsity letters in volleyball and basketball. A first-team Academic All-State performer in 2009, Heldman helped lead CGHS to four Johnson County Championships, three sectional championships, and the 2009 regional title.
“I also got to work closely with Kayla at our summer camp and I see her only improving as a defensive threat in the conference,” Mercer said. “Defense and ball control will take our team to the next level and Kayla is one of the best defensive players I have seen in a long time.”