Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Receive Three National Letters of Intent
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head volleyball coach Keylor Chan and associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Kirstine Jensen have announced that they have inked three young players to National Letters of Intent as the signing period opened on Nov. 12. Ashley Bush (Union, Ky./Ryle), Rachael Fara (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) and Cassidy Nussman (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) will all join the Wildcats for the 2015 season.
"We welcome three great student-athletes' to the Northwestern Volleyball Family this week," said Chan. "The 2015 class will provide size, athleticism, and versatility to our roster."
Bush is a setter and outside hitter who currently preps at Ryle H.S. in Union, Ky. where she has been a four-time letterwinner and two-year captain for the Raiders. Fara is a middle blocker who hails from nearby Naperville, Ill. and attends Benet Academy where she serves as team captain for the Redwings. Nussman is also a middle blocker and right-side attacker from Pearland H.S in Pearland, Texas, where she too serves as a team captain for the Oilers.
Complete bios for Northwestern's Class of 2019 are below, including remarks from Chan:
Ashley Bush
5'11" - Setter/Outside Hitter
Union, Ky./Ryle
High School: Four-time letterwinner and two-year captain at Ryle H.S. ... Helped the Raiders reach the Region 9 final for the first time in program history in 2013 ... Listed in PrepVolleyball.com's Top 100 Senior Aces ... Named MVP of the District 33 Tournament and to the KHSAA 9th Region All-Tournament Team as a senior ... Chosen as a PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American in 2013 ... Registered more than 1,000 kills, 2,750 assists, 190 aces and 150 blocks during decorated high school career ... National Honor Society member.
Personal: Daughter of Heather and Greg Bush ... Chose Northwestern over Cincinnati ... Anticipated major is economics.
Chan on Bush: "Ashley is a versatile athlete that has great fundamental skills as a 6-2 setter. Her ability to set and attack will add another dimension to our current system."
Rachael Fara
6'3" - Middle Blocker
Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy
High School: Three-time letterwinner and senior captain at Benet Academy ... Helped the Redwings to a 2012 state title and three consecutive semifinal appearances at the IHSA State Championship ... Collected three tournament MVP honors as a senior ... Named to MaxPreps.com 2014 National Volleyball Player of the Year Watch list ... Selected as captain of the Daily Herald All-Area Team ... Named Benet's Most Improved player on 2012 state title team and all East Suburban Catholic Conference in 2013.
Personal: Daughter of Thomas and Molly Fara ... Plays club volleyball for Sports Performance ... Frequently played club matches against current Wildcats Taylor Tashima, Symone Abbott and Katie Kniep.
Chan on Fara: "Rachael is one of the very best middle blockers in the nation. With her height and athleticism we anticipate that she will immediately impact the program and compete for starting time."
Cassidy Nussman
6'4" - Middle Blcoker/Opposite Hitter
Pearland, Texas/Pearland
High School: Earned three letters and served as a team captain at Pearland H.S. ... Collected more than 810 kills, 270 blocks and 75 service aces during career ... 2014 District 22-6A Player of the Year ... All-Texas Team honorable mention ... Named AVCA All-America honorable mention ... Helped Oilers achieve school record for wins in a season with 41 in 2014 ... AP Scholar ... District 22-5A Academic First Team in 2012 and 2013.
Personal: Daughter of Craig and Stephanie Nussman and stepfather Michael Knoll ... Oldest brother, Harley, plays basketball at St. Edward's University ... Chose Northwestern over Army, Yale, Houston and Tulsa ... Anticipated major is anthropology.
Chan on Nussman: "Cassidy rounds out the class, she is another athlete that can block and attack at an elite level. She has the potential to be an opposite that can control opposing team outsides and pressure teams behind the setter."
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