University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
Fisher Announces 2018 Recruiting Class
11/15/2017 11:53:00 AM | Volleyball
Panthers Ink Four Incoming Volleyball Players
PITTSBURGH - Pitt head volleyball coach Dan Fisher announced Monday that four student-athletes will make up the 2018 recruiting class. The Panthers will welcome Chandler Gorman, Maddie Soboleski, Sabrina Starks and Natalie Steibel.
"Our 2018 class fills our immediate need of depth and makes us more physical at the net," said Fisher. "Along with this talented recruiting class, we return all but two members from the 2017 team. The future of the Pitt volleyball program is bright."
Chandler Gorman / Middle Blocker / Houston, Texas / Stratford High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Stratford High School in Houston, Texas where she played volleyball … Earned First Team All-District honors during her junior season, in addition to being named to the Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches (TAVC) All-Texas Team and Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Fab 50 … One of 250 named to Prep Volleyball's list of Senior Aces … Awarded First Team All-District honors in her final season at Stratford High School.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Richard and Janice Gorman … Has a younger sister, Chelsea.
GORMAN ON PITT
"Pitt has the perfect combination of strong academics and a top-notch volleyball program. It has an excellent coaching staff and the team was very welcoming which really drew me to Pitt."
FISHER ON GORMAN
"Chandler Gorman is one of the top middle blockers in Texas with both size and speed, two good tools for a middle blocker. We are excited to get her in the gym and see how quickly she can adapt to the college game."
Sabrina Starks / Middle Hitter / Springfield, Neb. / Platteview High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Platteview High School in Springfield, Neb., where she played volleyball, basketball and ran track and field … One of 250 named to Prep Volleyball's list of Senior Aces … Set the record for kills at Platteview High School during her final season with the Trojans, while breaking the career blocks record during her junior year … Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors, First Team All-Conference accolades in her third year of high school … Two-time Papillion Times First Team All-Area Team member …Tabbed Second Team All-Conference following basketball season during her junior year, while earning Honorable Mention All-Conference in both volleyball and basketball her sophomore year … Four-time track and field letterwinner … Three-time volleyball and basketball letterwinner.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Harold and Teresa Starks … Has three older siblings, Samantha, Sean and Seth.
STARKS ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because I loved the team, coaching staff and the feel of the campus. I immediately felt welcomed by everyone, and, after my visit, I couldn't see myself at any other college. I loved everything about the University of Pittsburgh."
FISHER ON STARKS
"Sabrina is a true late bloomer who is getting better by the moment. What stands out is her blocking, which we expect to help us right away. We knew early on in the recruiting process that she was a great fit for Pitt and our team culture."
Maddie Soboleski / Setter, Middle Hitter / Edinboro, Pa. / General Mclane High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended General Mclane High School in Edinboro, Pa., where she played volleyball … Three-time All-State honoree, receiving the accolades sophomore through senior year … Named to the All-District Team following every year of her high school career … Two-Time Preseason Player of the Year nominee.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Mark and Melissa Soboleski … Has two younger siblings Abby and Braeden who are twins.
SOBOLESKI ON PITT
"I grew up loving all of the sports teams at Pitt and also loved the atmosphere including the team and coaches."
FISHER ON SOBOLESKI
"Maddie is a skilled all-around player from a volleyball family. She has a strong desire to play at a high level and we think she will develop quickly, once she becomes focused on just the setting position."
Natalie Steibel / Outside Hitter / Mason, OH. / Mount Notre Dame High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Mount Notre Dame High School where she played volleyball … 2017 Under Armor Honorable Mention All-American … Named to Prep Volleyball's list of 150 Senior Aces … Led Mount Notre Dame to an Ohio State Championship in just her sophomore year, while helping her team to a runner-up finish her junior year … Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in her third year of high school, while also being tabbed First Team All-Conference, First Team All-City and Second Team All-District … Earned multiple accolades following her senior year including GGCL Volleyball Athlete of the Year and First Team honors amongst the state, district and conference … Two-time Team MVP.
CLUB
Played for Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club (NKYVC) 17-1 Tsunami … Led her team a national championship at the 2016 USA Volleyball Girl's Junior National Championships in Indianapolis.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Jim and Cynthia Steibel … Has a brother, Jack.
STEIBEL ON PITT
"After a long recruiting process, I knew immediately when I stepped on campus that Pitt was the place for me. The Pitt volleyball family, chemical engineering program and beautiful city make it the perfect fit. I look forward to being a Panther."
FISHER ON STEIBEL
"Natalie is a six-rotation hitter who can play in both zone four and two. She has a strong arm and is committed both on and off the court. She is an elite student and an elite volleyball player."
"Our 2018 class fills our immediate need of depth and makes us more physical at the net," said Fisher. "Along with this talented recruiting class, we return all but two members from the 2017 team. The future of the Pitt volleyball program is bright."
Chandler Gorman / Middle Blocker / Houston, Texas / Stratford High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Stratford High School in Houston, Texas where she played volleyball … Earned First Team All-District honors during her junior season, in addition to being named to the Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches (TAVC) All-Texas Team and Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Fab 50 … One of 250 named to Prep Volleyball's list of Senior Aces … Awarded First Team All-District honors in her final season at Stratford High School.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Richard and Janice Gorman … Has a younger sister, Chelsea.
GORMAN ON PITT
"Pitt has the perfect combination of strong academics and a top-notch volleyball program. It has an excellent coaching staff and the team was very welcoming which really drew me to Pitt."
FISHER ON GORMAN
"Chandler Gorman is one of the top middle blockers in Texas with both size and speed, two good tools for a middle blocker. We are excited to get her in the gym and see how quickly she can adapt to the college game."
Sabrina Starks / Middle Hitter / Springfield, Neb. / Platteview High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Platteview High School in Springfield, Neb., where she played volleyball, basketball and ran track and field … One of 250 named to Prep Volleyball's list of Senior Aces … Set the record for kills at Platteview High School during her final season with the Trojans, while breaking the career blocks record during her junior year … Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors, First Team All-Conference accolades in her third year of high school … Two-time Papillion Times First Team All-Area Team member …Tabbed Second Team All-Conference following basketball season during her junior year, while earning Honorable Mention All-Conference in both volleyball and basketball her sophomore year … Four-time track and field letterwinner … Three-time volleyball and basketball letterwinner.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Harold and Teresa Starks … Has three older siblings, Samantha, Sean and Seth.
STARKS ON PITT
"I chose Pitt because I loved the team, coaching staff and the feel of the campus. I immediately felt welcomed by everyone, and, after my visit, I couldn't see myself at any other college. I loved everything about the University of Pittsburgh."
FISHER ON STARKS
"Sabrina is a true late bloomer who is getting better by the moment. What stands out is her blocking, which we expect to help us right away. We knew early on in the recruiting process that she was a great fit for Pitt and our team culture."
Maddie Soboleski / Setter, Middle Hitter / Edinboro, Pa. / General Mclane High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended General Mclane High School in Edinboro, Pa., where she played volleyball … Three-time All-State honoree, receiving the accolades sophomore through senior year … Named to the All-District Team following every year of her high school career … Two-Time Preseason Player of the Year nominee.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Mark and Melissa Soboleski … Has two younger siblings Abby and Braeden who are twins.
SOBOLESKI ON PITT
"I grew up loving all of the sports teams at Pitt and also loved the atmosphere including the team and coaches."
FISHER ON SOBOLESKI
"Maddie is a skilled all-around player from a volleyball family. She has a strong desire to play at a high level and we think she will develop quickly, once she becomes focused on just the setting position."
Natalie Steibel / Outside Hitter / Mason, OH. / Mount Notre Dame High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Mount Notre Dame High School where she played volleyball … 2017 Under Armor Honorable Mention All-American … Named to Prep Volleyball's list of 150 Senior Aces … Led Mount Notre Dame to an Ohio State Championship in just her sophomore year, while helping her team to a runner-up finish her junior year … Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in her third year of high school, while also being tabbed First Team All-Conference, First Team All-City and Second Team All-District … Earned multiple accolades following her senior year including GGCL Volleyball Athlete of the Year and First Team honors amongst the state, district and conference … Two-time Team MVP.
CLUB
Played for Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club (NKYVC) 17-1 Tsunami … Led her team a national championship at the 2016 USA Volleyball Girl's Junior National Championships in Indianapolis.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Jim and Cynthia Steibel … Has a brother, Jack.
STEIBEL ON PITT
"After a long recruiting process, I knew immediately when I stepped on campus that Pitt was the place for me. The Pitt volleyball family, chemical engineering program and beautiful city make it the perfect fit. I look forward to being a Panther."
FISHER ON STEIBEL
"Natalie is a six-rotation hitter who can play in both zone four and two. She has a strong arm and is committed both on and off the court. She is an elite student and an elite volleyball player."
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