April 16, 2009

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova volleyball team has completed its roster for 2009 with the additions of Michelle Nemesi, Kristina Bither and CeCe Twitty head coach Josh Steinbach has announced.

Nemesi is a 6'0 middle blocker from Cary, N.C. At Cardinal Gibbons High School she averaged 2.3 kills per game with an attack percentage of .406. Nemesi also put up 0.70 blocks per game and was a 2009 all-conference selection.

"Michelle will give us immediate help in the middle," Steinbach said. "She is playing at a high level of competition right now and is improving at a rapid rate. I expect her to compete in the middle and on the right side and develop into a significant player for our program."

Bither joins Villanova from San Jose, Calif., where the 5'9 outside hitter played at The Harker School. She is a two-time first team all-league selection and has been named to the Mercury News All-County squad.

"Kristina is an extremely driven competitor who will challenge for playing time as a defensive player and outside hitter," Steinbach said. "She is a gifted athlete and an outstanding student who works hard off the court. I think she will have a positive affect on our gym from the moment she arrives."

Twitty is a 6'1 middle blocker from Scottsdale, Ariz. At Chaparral High School, Twitty is a three-time letterwinner who was a senior captain last season and helped her team to a 2007 4A Arizona State Championship. She has earned all-region honors and was the MVP of her squad in 2008. Her father, Howard, was a three-time golf All-American at Arizona State and a three-time champion on the PGA Tour.

"CeCe is a really good fit for our team and will help us fill the middle blocker position," said Steinbach. "We are really looking forward to having her join us and I expect her to compete from the moment she begins."

All three will be eligible to play for the Wildcats beginning in August.