Volleyball Lands DI Transfer Tereza Bendlova and Idaho Setter Ilicia Weissenbuehler

Volleyball Lands DI Transfer Tereza Bendlova and Idaho Setter Ilicia Weissenbuehler

FAIRBANKS, AK – Alaska Nanooks head women's volleyball coach Phil Shoemaker announced the signing of Tereza Bendlová, a 5-9 outside hitter from Prague, Czech Republic, and Ilicia Weissenbuehler, a 5-5 setter from Emmett, Idaho, to National Letters of Intent. Bendlová will enter the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a graduate student with one year of NCAA eligibility remaining, while Weissenbuehler will be a freshman with four seasons to play.

Bendlová comes to the Nanooks from University of South Alabama where she recently graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She will continue her education at UAF by pursuing a master's degree in Northern engineering.

A three-year letterwinner for the Jaguars, she played in 100 out of 102 sets this season tallying 153 kills, 174 digs, 26 blocks and 22 aces.

“As a player, her physical and technical talents are good, and her maturity level is well above the norm,” said Shoemaker. “I think she will make a very quick adjustment to UAF and our team. I have no doubts that she will be instrumental in our success this fall.”

During her career at South Alabama, Bendlová earned a spot on the 2008 Jaguar Classic All-Tournament team and was named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List in 2008 and 2009. She also competed for two seasons with the Jaguars track and field program, specializing in the javelin.

“Three years of division one experience is certainly a bonus,” Shoemaker added. “We obviously feel she will compete well in the GNAC and West Region.

A true scholar-athlete, Bendlová was selected to CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV 1st team in 2008 and 2009. Prior to competing for South Alabama, Bendlová attended Charles University in Prague.

“We are really pleased that Tereza has decided to continue her studies here at UAF and use her last season of eligibility with our team,” said Shoemaker. “She brings a wealth of good volleyball experience with her, which will be of great value to us.”

Prior to her collegiate career Bendlová attended Gymnasium of Eliska Krarnohorska. She played club volleyball for Sokol Nusle since she was 12 and captained the team for four years from ages 13-17, helping the team to the National Sokol title in 2004. The club finished third in 2007 in the First National League. 

Weissenbuehler, a recent graduate of Emmet High School, was a four-year letterwinner for the Huskies' volleyball team. A team captain as a senior, she capped off her high school career by earning Second Team All-Conference recognition in the 4A League. She was also selected to the 4A Idaho All-Star Team and had the most assists and best hitting percentage for the Huskies. Weissenbuehler saved her best match in four years for last as she record 57 assists and six kills against Skyview in the final outing of her prep volleyball career.

“Ilicia is a player we have watched over the course of this winter and spring, and we are impressed with the progress she has shown,” Shoemaker said. “She possesses good physical strength and quickness. She has good setting and defensive skills, and she's uses her leadership to make her team go. I think she has the talents to make ours better too.”

In the high school off-season she played club volleyball for Club Idaho. Weissenbuehler and her club teammates captured the Grass Roots tournament title in Boise earlier this spring.

A dual-sport athlete like Bendlová, Weissenbuehler also devoted four seasons to the Huskies tennis team. As a sophomore in 2008, she was a District Champion in mixed doubles. She will pursue a degree in secondary education with career aspirations of becoming a high school teacher.

Bendlová and Weissenbuehler join outside hitter Keri Knight (Arvada, CO), right-side hitter Karlee Skalla (Las Vegas, NV) and libero Jessica Eicher (Chugiak, AK) in the Alaska Volleyball recruiting class of 2010.
Print Friendly Version
Related News