Former Pitman High Pride standout and recent Modesto Junior College graduate Sierrah Miller is one of four new additions to the California State University, Stanislaus volleyball roster for the 2015 season, as part of head coach Mallori Gibson's first recruiting class.
The quartet features a list of accomplished volleyball stars, which includes three transfers and a true freshman to an already much-improved squad.
“I have always been interested in playing for Stanislaus and I chose Stan State for many reasons, one being that they have an incredible business program,” Miller said. “The other was because I love living in Turlock and being able to play the game you love in the city you love is just the icing on the cake.”
All things seemed to fall in place for Miller, who led her MJC team to a 21-9 overall record in 2013, clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2007.
Miller was also named the team's Most Valuable Player and she was selected to the first-team All-Big 8 Conference selection and MJC's Athlete of the Year in 2013 as a freshman.
In two seasons at MJC, Miller tallied 653 kills in 48 matches with a .463 hitting percentage.
"We are excited to have local standout in Sierrah joining our program. Her competitive nature combined with her eagerness to learn will be very valuable to our team," Gibson said. "She will provide depth to us on the outside and will instantly improve our already decent ball control."
Joining Miller in the mix are Heilani Hoeft, an All-League honorable mention selection as a team captain on the Woodside High School volleyball team in Redwood City; Clairissa Larry, coming from the University of Charleston, where she was a second-team All-Mountain East Conference (NCAA Division II) selection with 225 kills for an average of 2.47 kills per set; and Maddi Seidl, coming from North Idaho College where she was named the Female Athlete of the Year.
“Coach Gibson has a Division I mentality and knowledge of the game and I am excited for this season,” said Miller.
Miller is also looking forward to getting back on the court with former Pitman and MJC teammate Annabel Perez.
“Annabel has been one of my best friends even before we played volleyball at Pitman,” said Miller. “She made a huge impact on our team for MJC being such a great leader and helping us make playoffs. She is my lifetime 'pepper partner' in warm-ups and I am very lucky.
“What I bring to the team is my competitive nature and strong work ethic,” Miller added. “I have played with and against top Division I teams; including traveling to Europe last year with the NVCA High Performance team. I know what is necessary to compete at that level and I look forward to bringing this mind set with me to Stan State.”
The first game of the season for the Warriors is scheduled against Notre Dame de Namur at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 4.
