MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University volleyball signed five players in its 2013 recruiting class.
"We are very excited to have these student-athletes join our program," third-year head coach Steve Hendricks said. "They will add depth, experience and competitiveness to our roster that will help us compete for the Sunshine State Conference championship and the NCAA Tournament."
Barry's new faces include three international recruits and two Floridians. Barry signed international standouts Ivana Didanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) and Jennyvette Trinidad (Caguas, Puerto Rico) to national letters of intent. They join 2013 spring arrival Eva-Lotta Raat (Parnumaa, Estonia). South Florida recruits Kristen Reid (Boynton Beach) and Amanda Brill (Lake Worth) complete the class.
Didanovic is a 6-3 freshman middle blocker from Belgrade Serbia, who will follow in departing Serbian setter Mima Hajdukavic’s path, and continue her country's tradition. She competes for the OK Radnicki Beograd club in Serbia, and will graduate from the Second Economic School of Belgrade. Didanovic is a versatile athlete who can swing on the middle or the right, and will add height to the current roster. Didanovic was part of a club team that placed second in district with AS, second in the junior league with VIZURA, advanced to the semifinals of the state championship with VIZURA, and was a silver medal finisher in Zagreb, Croatia, with the Belgrade representation.
Jennyvette Trinidad is a 5-10 freshman setter from Caguas, Puerto Rico. She has a versatile skill set, and will bring athleticism and court IQ to the setting position. Trinidad played for the Criollas volleyball club, where she was team captain and led her team to a third-place finish in the prestigious Jeep Classic from 2009-11. Trinidad has been playing volleyball since she was eight years old, and was part of the Under-14 Puerto Rico National Team. She was named Most Valuable Player during three different tournament championship teams as well as for her high school team. She was a four-year honor student, a National Honor Society member, and treasurer for her senior class. Trinidad is expected to make an immediate impact in the setting position. She will graduate from Radians High School in June.
Eva-Lotta Raat, a 6-2 freshman outside hitter from Parnumaa, Estonia, joined the Bucs in the spring. Raat is a versatile front row player that can swing in any of the front row positions. She graduated from Audentese Spordigumnaasium, a boarding school in Tallinn, Estonia, in June 2012 and joins the Buccaneer squad after her time with her club Parnu Vorkpalliklubi (2006-12). Raat was also part of the Estonian youth national team (2008-11). Raat's mother was a long-time player as a middle blocker and outside hitter. Raat will add heighth and experience to Barry’s squad. She also provides depth for the Bucs as another offensive threat.
Kristen Reid, one of two Florida signees, comes to Barry from Boynton Beach, where she is completing her senior year at the Lake Worth Christian Academy. A 5-8 freshman defensive specialist/outside hitter, Reid brings an impressive five-year varsity high school resume to her collegiate career. She was a repeat Florida state champion in 2011 and 2012 at Lake Worth Christian. Her junior year she steered her team to the title, while leading in kills and aces. Reid racked up a slew of 2011 honors, including: Palm Beach All-County Small School Player of the Year, 2A Dairy Farmers of Florida Player of the Year, 2011 MaxPreps Florida Player of the Week (Sept. 25), Palm Beach Post Small School Player of the Year and Sun-Sentinel Small School Volleyball Player of the Year. She was selected to a 2012 all-area team. Reid will graduate in the top five percent of her class. She has been a National Honor Society member for the past three years. She was named to the school's Principal's List, and was a dual-enrolled college student during her junior and senior years. Reid plays club volleyball for Palm Beach Juniors. According to the Barry coaching staff, her experience playing every position, combined with her strong defensive abilities, give her the platform to play at the collegiate level.
Amanda Brill, a 5-6 freshman defensive specialist, completes the class of signees. A local standout from Lake Worth, Brill played all four years for her varsity squad at Santaluces High School. Brill was a six-rotation player at Santaluces, where she led the team in digs, and was third overall for service points and aces. Brill played club for a talented UPPS 17U Titans squad as a libero in 2011-12. In 2012-13, she played for Palm Beach Elite 18s as an all around-player. Brill is also an active member of the National Art Honor Society and the Visual Arts Academy. She is expected to add depth to Barry's back line.