Rutgers volleyball and head coach CJ Werneke announced Thursday the addition of seven newcomers to the 2017 roster. They join nine returners to finalize the roster heading into the Scarlet Knights’ 41st season and fourth in the Big Ten Conference.
“We are very excited about this incoming class as it will add depth and experience to our program,” Werneke said. “It’s a well-balanced class with veteran experience from our transfers and international players. The freshmen have shown high-caliber abilities and will be expected to make an immediate impact.”
Adriana Alejandro
FR | S/RS | 5’9″
Caguas, Puerto Rico | Notre Dame HS
Prior to Rutgers: A four-year starter at Notre Dame High School, she made four consecutive appearances in the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Alliance All-Star Game, starting as a junior and senior and captaining the squad as a junior…As a freshman, helped the team win three invitational tournaments and runner-up in the junior varsity division of the PRHSAA… As a sophomore, named MVP at three invitational tournaments, won the PRHSAA junior varsity championship and was named MVP of the championship match, and was selected to participate in the Onda Deportiva All-Star Game…As a junior, won MVP at an invitational tournament, played on the runner-up PRHSAA varsity championship team, was selected for a second straight Onda Deportiva All-Star Game, and earned a selection to the PRHSAA Coaches All-Alliance Team…As a senior, earned MVP at an invitational tournament, won the PRHSAA varsity championship, played in a third Onda Deportiva All-Star Game, and was selected to a second PRHSAA Coaches All-Alliance Team… Earned an Academic Excellence Award in 2017, inducted to the National Honor Society, served on the Medical Science Program executive board, named an NDHS honor student all four years…As a member of the Borinquen Coqui club team, one of Puerto Rico’s top teams, helped compile a record of 64-4 over four years and participated in three Northeast qualifiers – winning two of them – three USAV Junior National Championships and one AAU Girls Volleyball Championship.
Personal: Daughter of Anabel Bou and Domingo Alejandro…Biotechnology major.
Werneke on Alejandro: “Adriana adds depth to the setter position. We’re excited about her winning experience in Puerto Rico and her versatility on the court.”
Kamila Cieslik
FR | MB | 5’11”
Knoxville, Tenn. | Knoxville Catholic HS
Prior to Rutgers: Named MVP of the Tennessee (TSSAA) State Volleyball Tournament, where her Knoxville Catholic team won the Division I Class AA title in 2016…As a freshman, named Region 2 AA All-Tournament Team, Region 2 AA All-Region, District 4 AA Newcomer of the Year and Class AA All-State…As a junior, named District 4 AA All-Tournament MVP and Region 2 Division I Class AA Region Tournament MVP…As a senior, a Division I Class AA District 4 All-Tournament MVP and a Division I Class AA Region 2 All-Tournament MVP…In the classroom, five-time President’s List recipient, recognized as the Outstanding Physical Fitness Student of the Year as a freshman, inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society as a sophomore, named Student of the Month, recognized as Outstanding Religion III Student of the Year and inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior, and recognized as the Outstanding Economics Student of the Year as a senior…A club volleyball player for seven years, competed at the AAU National Champions from 2013-17, finishing third at the 18 Open Level in 2017 and earning All-Tournament Team nods at the Mizuno SPVB National Junior Classic and the Mizuno SPVB President’s Day Challenge in 2014.
Personal: Daughter of Mariola and Andrew Cieslik…Has an older sister, Veronika, and a younger brother, Adam…Animal science major with minor studies in equine science.
Werneke on Cieslik: “Kamila is an all-around player on the right side. Her court presence and her ability to make others around her better is something our program will benefit from immediately.”
Claire Jackson
FR | OH | 6’3″
San Francisco, Calif. | Redwood HS
Prior to Rutgers: A three-year starter at Redwood High School…As a freshman and sophomore, led team to back-to-back North Coast Section Championship…As a junior, earned third place in the league, second place in the section, while being named MVP of the team and to the All-County squad…A lifetime member of the Redwood Honor Society…Also a member of Absolute Volleyball Club (2009-17) and attended Junior Nationals six times with a regional championship in 2013 and fourth place finish at Junior Nationals in 2017.
Personal: Daughter of Alexia and Dan Jackson…Has an older brother, Max, and an older sister, Brady…Undecided major.
Werneke on Jackson: “We have high hopes for Claire and see a lot of potential in her skillset. She brings additional size to the frontcourt, while also adding depth to the outside position.”
Yana Kamshilina
FR | OH | 6’0″
Omsk, Russia | Gymnasium 85
Prior to Rutgers: A four-year player on the Omichka and Omsibguor teams, participated on the championship teams at the Siberia/Russia Championships in 2013 and the International Games in Novosibirsk in 2014, while earning second place in the Youth League in 2014 and reaching the B League final in 2017.
Personal: Daughter of Natalia Kamshilina and Oleg Kamshilin…Undecided major.
Werneke on Kamshilina: “Yana is another international player with great experience. She is a six-rotation player with a strength on the outside. She is a very balanced player with equally accomplished skills in both the back and frontcourts.”
Beka Kojadinovic
FR | RS | 6’0″
Belgrade, Serbia | Sesta Beogradska Gimnazija
Prior to Rutgers: A four-year player for Dimano Pancevo in Serbia, led her team to four consecutive championship matches in the Junior Tournament of Vokvodina, winning it all in 2016… Participated on the runner-up team at the 2016 Junior National Championship of Serbia and the third place team at the 2017 national championships.
Personal: Daughter of Ljiljana Vujovic and Djordje Kojadinovic… has a younger sister, Lara… Undecided major.
Werneke on Kojadinovic: “Beka has a very high volleyball IQ in addition to her being an all-around player. As a lefty playing on the right side, she will be a different look as an attacker. It’s not something that teams see very often.”
Sahbria McLetchie
JR | OH | 5’10”
San Antonio, Texas | VCU
Prior to Rutgers: As a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth, named a VCU Player of the Week, an A-10 Rookie of the Week and a member of the A-10 All-Conference Rookie Team…At James Madison High School, named Time Warner Player of the Week, San Antonio Express Player of the Week and First Team All-District…Also a member of the San Antonio Magic, San Antonio Force and San Antonio Sand Volleyball clubs.
Personal: Daughter of Michele Brady and Dale McLetchie…has a relative, Lisa McLetchie, who played college basketball at Ohio State and Kansas…Public health major.
Werneke on McLetchie: “Bri’s athleticism is off the charts. She also has great competitiveness, which will make our gym better overall.”
Stasa Miljevic
SO | MB | 6’2″
Belgrade, Serbia | FSU
Prior to Rutgers: As a freshman at Florida State, limited to 45 sets over the course of the season due to sustaining multiple injuries … came through with 32 kills (0.71 kills/set) on 96 attempts as she posted a .219 hitting percentage … also active on the front row with 20 assisted blocks (0.44 blocks/set) … was one of seven Seminoles with at least 20 assisted blocks … the biggest bulk of her sets played (26) came against Atlantic Coast Conference opposition … drove home 22 kills (0.85 kills/set) in league action, while recording 13 assisted blocks (0.50 blocks/set) … assisted on a pair of blocks in the five-set win at Florida (Dec. 3) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … capped off the Sweet 16 appearance against Stanford (Dec. 9) with three digs, two kills and one assist…In high school at XIII Belgrade Gymnasium, led her team to three national championships and three regional championships, as well as a Senior Super Cup and Senior Cup of Serbia wins in 2015.
Personal: Daughter of Tatjana and Zoran Miljevic…Has an older brother, Vuk…Finance major.
Werneke on Milkevic: “With a year of experience at FSU, she has already been playing collegiate volleyball at a high level. This will allow her to have a greater impact as we look for her to contribute right away.”
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Press Release courtesy of Rutgers Athletics.
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