The Houston Cougars made a late addition for the 2017 roster with a splash from overseas in Silvia Pertens, a member of the Estonian National Team.
A 6’0″ outside hitter from Tallinn, Estonia, Pertens attended Audentes Sports Schools in addition to her experience with the Estonian National Team. She was with the junior squad from 2014-2017 and had stints with the senior team in 2016 and 2017 as she competed in the 2015 CEV U18/U19 Volleyball European Championship, the 2016 version for U19/U20, the 2017 CEV Volleyball European Championship and the 2017 FIVB U20 Volleyball World Championship.
“Silvia’s experience and skills will give us some high level depth to the outside hitter position,” Houston head coach Kaddie Platt said in the team’s release of the signing. “She has good power, ball control and volleyball IQ. Silvia is a great addition to the team and will do great things.”
Pertens joins a roster filled with outside hitters, as the Cougars have three others who are truly at the position. Then, add in that a trio of others are listed as outside hitters/right sides, meaning there is plenty of competition at the position for Pertens, who joins the roster so late.
With all that being said, Pertens should have ample opportunity for playing time after Houston finished with a 5-26 record in 2016 as they finished last in the American Athletic Conference. They will look for Pertens to get them back to what they did the year prior, as they finished with a 19-13 record.
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