Tomic signs four new recruits to 2012 team

Head coach Danijela Tomic has successfully signed four new student-athletes to the FIU volleyball squad for the 2012 season. Ashlee Hodgskin, Gloria Levorin, Gabriela Roman and Hayley Miller have officially committed to being a Panther for the next several years.

“We are very excited about the addition of Ashlee, Gloria, Gaby and Hayley to our program,” Tomic said. “All three of them are outstanding kids and they will each have an immediate impact on our program, both on and off the court.”

Hodgskin, a 5-foot-10 setter from Windermere, Fla., played in three different schools in her high school career. To Hodgskin, however, it didn’t really matter where she played. She was named MVP of her squads three times and garnered Athlete of the Year in 2011.

Though current Panther Jessica Egan is entrenched in the setter position, that does not stop Hodgskin from trying to make the starting lineup.

“My goal as an FIU panther is to come in knowing that everyday I will have to fight for my position and I will do anything it takes to become the starting setter for the Panthers,” said Hodgskin. “I have the mentality that I can do absolutely anything I set my mind to no matter how tough it may be.”

Levorin, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Padova, Italy is a six-year veteran of the sport. She has led her team to numerous under-18 championships and has garnered MVP honors in the 2008-2009 season.

“Gloria is a dynamic middle blocker who reminds me a lot of Andrea [Lakovic],” Tomic said. “With her athleticism and experience we expect her to make an immediate mark on our program.”

Roman, a native of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, and an outside hitter, helped lead the Puerto Rico Junior National Team to a division title in 2011.

“Being left-handed is a big advantage for her position and with her jumping ability she will be very hard to stop offensively,” said Tomic.

Miller, the final signing of the FIU Panthers, is a 5-foot-4 libero from St. John’s, Fla. She received MVP honors three times and was named to the Under Armour Watchlist in 2011. She led the Knights to district and regional titles in her senior year.

“She is a fierce competitor and we are looking forward to developing her into a great collegiate libero,” said Tomic. “She is relentless on defense and has a contagious, enthusiastic personality.”