University of Alaska Fairbanks Volleyball Coach Phil Shoemaker today announced the signing of Dagmar Capova, a 5'9 setter from Prague, Czech Republic. She has completed one year of study at the University of Economics in Prague, but will have four years of NCAA eligibility remaining since that school does not sponsor athletic teams. She plans to study business at UAF.
Capova's path to UAF is unusual in that she was earlier this year recruited, signed, and accepted at Drexel University, an NCAA Division I program from Philadelphia, PA. Drexel discontinued their volleyball team in May 2003, thus releasing Capova from her commitment to them.
Capova has been playing volleyball in Prague for 11 years with the TJ Tatran Stresovice Club team, including four years in the highest junior league in the country, and as team captain. While at Nad Aleji High School, her team won two city championships, and placed second twice. Also an outstanding student, Dagamar represented the University of Economics in the Czech Academic Championships earning a silver medal.
Coach Shoemaker's comment: "Dagmar's signing is a big exclamation point on what has been a great recruiting season for us! Of course only time will tell, but I think the next four years are going to be a blast! I am excited about our returning student-athletes, and with the signings of Dagmar Capova, Jessica Clemons, Katie Tobiasz, and Danielle Hitzeman. I think we are poised to take another big step forward as a team. I can't wait to start practice!"
UAF begins training for the 2003 season on August 10. The early pre-season period will feature a visit from three-time Olympic Volleyball Coach Bill Neville, who will join the Nanooks in the gym August 12-15. Competition begins August 29 at the Cal Poly Pomona Invitational.
