Dec. 17, 2007

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago head women's volleyball coach Marcie Bomhack and her staff announced the signings of Melissa Hastings (New Berlin, Wis./Catholic Memorial) and Natalie Pounovich (Hickory Hills, Ill./Marist) to National Letters of Intent. The duo will be eligible to compete during the 2008 season.

"We are very excited to have Melissa and Natalie join our team this fall," said Bomhack. "This is a very talented class and we are going to look to them to make a big impression on our program over the next four years."

Below is a brief biography on Loyola's two signees:

Melissa Hastings
Fr. • 6-1 • OH
New Berlin, Wis./Catholic Memorial

Two-time all-state player, earning first team distinction as a senior after being named to the second team after her junior season ... Helped team to the 2006 Wisconsin State Championship ... Finished with 452 kills and 56 blocks her senior season, helping team to a fifth-place finish ... Twice earned all-area acclaim ... Attended USA Volleyball's National High Performance Camp in 2004 and 2005 and was a member of the USA Volleyball Youth National A2 squad in 2006 ... Played club volleyball for the Milwaukee Sting and helped its 17 Gold team to a 12th-place finish at the national tournament ... Honor roll student who volunteered much of her time to local charitable organizations ... Attended same high school as current Loyola outside hitter Sarah Singer.

Coach Bomhack on Hastings: "Melissa has been the part of many successful volleyball programs. She knows what it takes to win and her constant desire to achieve will help our program get back to the top of the Horizon League. Her versatility is a big plus - she has played every position on the court - and her volleyball savvy, athleticism and speed will be great assets to our program."

Natalie Pounovich
Fr. • 6-3 • MB
Hickory Hills, Ill./Marist

Listed among Chicagoland's Top 50 players by the Chicago Sun-Times ... An All-Area selection by both the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times ... All-conference performer ... Named to the all-tournament team at both Downers Grove North and Rich East tournaments ... Played varsity basketball her freshman and sophomore years ... Played club volleyball for Celtic Force, same as current Loyola middle Colleen Francis ... Member of the National Honor Society.

Coach Bomhack on Pounovich: "Natalie gives us great height and she plays so high above the net and her footwork at the middle position is very advanced. She has been a great leader on every team she has played on and it is illustrated by her competitiveness and relentless talk. Natalie has tremendous potential and her best days are still ahead of her. We look forward to helping her reach that potential as a Rambler."