Head Coach Peter Volkert has announced the addition of a trio of transfer student-athletes that will join the women’s volleyball program for the upcoming 2017 season.
“I’m excited about the level of talent that all three transfers bring to our program,” Volkert added. “They have shown success both on the court and in the classroom. All three will be key components to NJIT’s future success.”
Madi Busler from Parker, Colorado, comes to NJIT after playing one season at Cal State Bakersfield while Alahna Diaz, who hails from Carolina, Puerto Rico, joins the Highlander squad after playing one season at the University of South Alabama. Both Busler and Diaz will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at NJIT.
Iva Mandic from Podgorica, Montenegro will join the Highlanders after playing two seasons at Coastal Carolina University. Mandic will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at NJIT.
Madi Busler
A 5-foot-11 outside hitter, Busler played in nine matches for Cal State Bakersfield in 2016, recording 24 kills. A 2016 graduate of Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, Busler was named all-Conference as a junior and senior. She played club for Momentum 18.
Busler intends to major in biochemistry/pre-med at NJIT. Busler was selected Academic All-State in 2014 and 2015.
Alahna Diaz
A 5-foot-4 libero/defensive specialist, played in 27 matches, notching 59 digs (2.19 dpg) at South Alabama.
Diaz was a standout in the defensive back court for Academia Maria Reina and her club team, Borinquen Coqui.
At Academia Maria Reina, Diaz led her team to the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Alliance Varsity Division A championship and selected to the All-Star game, during the 2014 season. Academia Marina Reina also won third place at the Fourth National School Beach Volleyball Tournament in the Women’s Varsity Division in 2015.
At the club level, Diaz was a five-time team captain for Borinquen Coquí where she guided her club team to a first-place finish in the 2013 Spring Volleyball Challenge and was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Diaz also represented Puerto Rico at the European Global Challenge in 2013. During the 2012 club season, Borinquen Coquí placed third at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships (Club Division).
Diaz intends to major in biology at NJIT.
Iva Mandic
The 6-foot-2 outside hitter joins the Highlanders after playing two seasons at Coastal Carolina, where the Chanticleers were crowned 2016 Sun Belt Champions, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championships, concluding the season with a 28-5 overall record. In 2015, Coastal Carolina captured the Big South title and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, combining for a 25-5 overall record.
Mandic played in 73 matches in two seasons at Coastal Carolina. As a sophomore, she played in 53 sets, combining for 39 kills and 20 digs while during her freshmen campaign, she saw action in 20 sets.
She was a member of both, the Montenegro Junior and Senior National teams, as well as her club team, Moraca. She was selected team captain of the Junior National team in 2010 and captain of Moraca in 2009.
With the national team, Mandic competed in the 2013 European Championship held in Montenegro. While playing for the Junior National team, Mandic saw action in 2010, 2012 and 2014 European Championship qualifiers.
In 2008, Mandic was named Most Promising Player in Montenegro’s youth competition. She earned Best Hitter in 2009, 2010, and 2011 at the Montenegrin Cadet Championship, Best Outside Hitter at the 2010 Montenegrin Youth Championship, and Most Valuable Player at the 2012 Montenegrin Junior Championship.
Mandic intends to major in business/finance at NJIT.
Press Release courtesy of NJIT Athletics.
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