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University of New Hampshire Athletics
11/18/2019 2:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.H. – Christopher Feliciano, first-year head coach of the University of New Hampshire volleyball team, announced Monday that four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to become UNH Wildcats in the 2020 season.
The incoming Wildcats are Kelly Kaufmann (Raleigh, N.C.), Hannah Serbousek (Fort Collins, Colo.), Gabby Smith (Carmel, Ind.) and Jamison White (Nashville, Tenn.).
Kaufmann, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, is a senior at Athens Drive High School, where she was named most valuable player as a junior and senior and broke the North Carolina state record for single-season blocks as a sophomore. Kaufmann was named to the All-Conference Team and led the conference in blocks all three of those years. As a senior, Kaufmann ranked first in the conference in blocks (94), second in kills (287), third in service aces (46) and fourth in hitting percentage (.380), and she finished with 100 digs.
Kaufmann was named a 2019 AAU Academic All-American. She is a four-time Academic All-Conference Team honoree and has made the Athens Drive H.S. Honor Roll every year.
"Kelly adds a defensive presence to our front line that will force other teams to game plan differently," Feliciano said. "She has an uncanny ability to close holes in the block when other teams are in system. She is long, athletic, and driven. What stood out while recruiting Kelly was her graciousness and desire to improve. Players with that type of drive have what it takes to be great. We are very excited to have Kelly in our gym for the next four years."
Serbousek, a 6-0 outside hitter, is a senior at Fort Collins High School, where she led the team to the Colorado state title in 2017. That year, she received the Lamb Fam Award, which is presented in recognition of teamwork, spirit and dedication. Serbousek was named to the Front Range All-Conference Second Team as a junior and served as team captain in her senior season.
Serbousek has been named Academic All-State twice and has made Honor Roll every year. She was a three-year competitor at the Girls Junior National Championship.
In 2017, she led her team to the Colorado High School State Championships and was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention. During her senior year, she was named to the Academic All-state team and the All-conference second team.
"Hannah is a true 6- rotation outside hitter who I believe can have an immediate impact in our gym," Feliciano said. "We prioritize first touch in our gym, and with the graduation of five seniors who were exceptional in this department, we needed to add someone we can rely on. Hannah provides us with that stability. During the recruiting process, Hannah's maturity and composure stood out. As we will undoubtedly be one of the youngest teams in the NCAA next season, these qualities coupled with her physical abilities will be major assets in our gym."
Smith, a 6-1 middle blocker, is a senior at Carmel High School. As a senior, she was named to the Academic All-state Team and recorded 74 blocks, 262 kills and a .384 hitting percentage. Smith was an Academic All-Conference Team honoree as a junior, when she tallied 49 blocks and 193 kills with a .348 hitting percentage. Smith is a two-time recipient of Carmel's Scholar-Athlete Award.
"Gabby adds a completely different dynamic to the middle position in our gym," Feliciano said. "She is a great balance between strength and quickness. She hits tempo well both in front and behind the setter. More importantly, she has a very high ceiling and the work ethic to improve."
White, a 6-1 setter/right side hitter, is a three-time captain of the Harpeth Hall School volleyball team. She is a two-time All-Region selection and Region Tournament MVP. White's other accolades include All-State and All-Midstate. White led Harpeth Hall to the regional title and state quarterfinals as a senior. Last year, she was a silver medalist with the USA A-1 Youth National Training Team. White is a two-time AAU Academic All-American and has made the Harpeth Hall Honor Roll every year.
"Jamison is a special athlete," Feliciano said. "Anytime you can add a player who can both attack and set at a high point at the net, you've got something special. Her skill set will be bring tremendous value to our program. I strongly believe that by adding Jamison to our already strong setting core, we will have one of the best groups in the America East."
This quartet joins a UNH volleyball program that exceeded the conference coaches' expectations in the 2019 season. The Wildcats were picked fourth in the America East Preseason Poll but placed second in the final conference standings with a 7-3 record.
This year's New Hampshire squad became the second-fastest to 10 victories and recorded the most wins through 20 matches (14) en route to a 17-8 regular season. The 'Cats are the No. 2 seed in the upcoming America East Championships and will play third-seeded Hartford in a Nov. 22 (4 p.m.) semifinal matchup at UAlbany. The tourney winner receives an auto-bid to the NCAA Championship tournament.
The incoming Wildcats are Kelly Kaufmann (Raleigh, N.C.), Hannah Serbousek (Fort Collins, Colo.), Gabby Smith (Carmel, Ind.) and Jamison White (Nashville, Tenn.).
Kaufmann, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, is a senior at Athens Drive High School, where she was named most valuable player as a junior and senior and broke the North Carolina state record for single-season blocks as a sophomore. Kaufmann was named to the All-Conference Team and led the conference in blocks all three of those years. As a senior, Kaufmann ranked first in the conference in blocks (94), second in kills (287), third in service aces (46) and fourth in hitting percentage (.380), and she finished with 100 digs.
Kaufmann was named a 2019 AAU Academic All-American. She is a four-time Academic All-Conference Team honoree and has made the Athens Drive H.S. Honor Roll every year.
"Kelly adds a defensive presence to our front line that will force other teams to game plan differently," Feliciano said. "She has an uncanny ability to close holes in the block when other teams are in system. She is long, athletic, and driven. What stood out while recruiting Kelly was her graciousness and desire to improve. Players with that type of drive have what it takes to be great. We are very excited to have Kelly in our gym for the next four years."
Serbousek, a 6-0 outside hitter, is a senior at Fort Collins High School, where she led the team to the Colorado state title in 2017. That year, she received the Lamb Fam Award, which is presented in recognition of teamwork, spirit and dedication. Serbousek was named to the Front Range All-Conference Second Team as a junior and served as team captain in her senior season.
Serbousek has been named Academic All-State twice and has made Honor Roll every year. She was a three-year competitor at the Girls Junior National Championship.
In 2017, she led her team to the Colorado High School State Championships and was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention. During her senior year, she was named to the Academic All-state team and the All-conference second team.
"Hannah is a true 6- rotation outside hitter who I believe can have an immediate impact in our gym," Feliciano said. "We prioritize first touch in our gym, and with the graduation of five seniors who were exceptional in this department, we needed to add someone we can rely on. Hannah provides us with that stability. During the recruiting process, Hannah's maturity and composure stood out. As we will undoubtedly be one of the youngest teams in the NCAA next season, these qualities coupled with her physical abilities will be major assets in our gym."
Smith, a 6-1 middle blocker, is a senior at Carmel High School. As a senior, she was named to the Academic All-state Team and recorded 74 blocks, 262 kills and a .384 hitting percentage. Smith was an Academic All-Conference Team honoree as a junior, when she tallied 49 blocks and 193 kills with a .348 hitting percentage. Smith is a two-time recipient of Carmel's Scholar-Athlete Award.
"Gabby adds a completely different dynamic to the middle position in our gym," Feliciano said. "She is a great balance between strength and quickness. She hits tempo well both in front and behind the setter. More importantly, she has a very high ceiling and the work ethic to improve."
White, a 6-1 setter/right side hitter, is a three-time captain of the Harpeth Hall School volleyball team. She is a two-time All-Region selection and Region Tournament MVP. White's other accolades include All-State and All-Midstate. White led Harpeth Hall to the regional title and state quarterfinals as a senior. Last year, she was a silver medalist with the USA A-1 Youth National Training Team. White is a two-time AAU Academic All-American and has made the Harpeth Hall Honor Roll every year.
"Jamison is a special athlete," Feliciano said. "Anytime you can add a player who can both attack and set at a high point at the net, you've got something special. Her skill set will be bring tremendous value to our program. I strongly believe that by adding Jamison to our already strong setting core, we will have one of the best groups in the America East."
This quartet joins a UNH volleyball program that exceeded the conference coaches' expectations in the 2019 season. The Wildcats were picked fourth in the America East Preseason Poll but placed second in the final conference standings with a 7-3 record.
This year's New Hampshire squad became the second-fastest to 10 victories and recorded the most wins through 20 matches (14) en route to a 17-8 regular season. The 'Cats are the No. 2 seed in the upcoming America East Championships and will play third-seeded Hartford in a Nov. 22 (4 p.m.) semifinal matchup at UAlbany. The tourney winner receives an auto-bid to the NCAA Championship tournament.
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