May 05, 2008
Berg, Semple choose USI to continue volleyball career
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team announced that 5'6" freshman setter/defensive specialist Stephanie Berg (Waterloo, Illinois) and 5'4" defensive specialist Dacie Semple (Newburgh, Indiana) will walk-on to play for Head Coach Leah Mercer's Screaming Eagles in 2008.
Berg is currently a senior at Gibault Catholic High School (Waterloo, Illinois) where she has earned varsity letters in volleyball, softball, and track. She led GCHS in assists and service percentage while earning honorable mention All-Area honors as a senior in 2007.
A member of the National Honor Society, Berg also was nominated for the Illinois All-State Academic Team. She also is a member of the Missouri Thunder Volleyball Club.
Semple is a senior at Castle High School (Newburgh, Indiana) where she has earned varsity letters in volleyball, softball, and track.
An All-Conference selection as a senior in 2007 as well as two-time All-Metro selection, Semple was CHS's most valuable player as a senior when she set the school record for digs. She has competed for the Starz Club Volleyball team from 2005-2007, helping her squad to numerous tournament titles.
Like Berg, Semple brings an impressive academic resume to USI, having earned the AVCA Game Plan/AVCA Academic Honors Award in 2004 and 2005.
"I feel fortunate to have two quality players joining our team," Mercer said. "The character these two possess is everything we want in a USI student-athlete."
Berg and Semple join 5'8" defensive specialist Krista Coccaro (Carmel, Indiana), 6'1" middle blocker/outside hitter Lottie King (Knightsville, Indiana), and 5'11" middle blocker/outside hitter Taylor Reed (Toledo, Ohio), who signed national letters of intent during the early signing period, on USI's list of newcomers next season.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
