Volleyball Signs One, Small to Join Lumberjack Roster in 2010
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern
Arizona volleyball announced Niki Small has signed a National
Letter of Intent and will play for the 2010 NAU Lumberjacks next
fall. Small, from Ashland, Ore., is a 6-1 middle blocker averaging
4.2 kills-per-set with a .570 kill percentage as a senior at
Ashland High School.
“We are expecting her to be an important part of our offense
next year,” said head coach Craig Choate. “That is what
she does really well. How that translates to the college game we
won’t know until she shows up but she has the potential to be
very good.”
Small is the reigning player of the year for the Southern Sky
Conference and has been named Southern Sky first team the last two
seasons. She has been named Amateur Athlete of the Week for
Southern Oregon and was nominated for the Under Armor All-American
team. Small’s match-highs include 19 kills, 14 service aces
and seven blocks.
She is also an honor roll student and active in student programs
such as the Student-Athlete Leadership Team at Ashland.
“We think she has the potential to help us immensely as a
freshman,” Choate said. “She is a marvelous high school
offensive player.”
This past weekend Small's helped
lead Ashland to a third-place state finish.
Small will join an already youthful NAU lineup as the Lumberjacks
likely havesix underclassmen starting or battling for playing time
in 2010.
