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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Volleyball Brings In Talent, Versatility With Five-Deep Class Of 2019
June 04, 2015 | Women's Volleyball
The Princeton women's volleyball team posted a third-place finish in the 2014 season and will return three players who have earned All-Ivy League honors throughout their career this coming season. The Tigers will also be bringing in a talented class of five newcomers in their chase for the 2015 Ivy League title.
Head coach Sabrina King announced her Class of 2019 — Brooke Hershberger, Nnenna Ibe, Claire Nussbaum, Caroline Sklaver and Brittany Smith — recently, and it is a skilled group that provides options at several options on the court.
Both Ibe and Sklaver have experience in the middle, where Princeton needs to replace graduated first-team All-Ivy standout Nicole Kincade. Sklaver also has experience at the setter position, where she will be joined by Nussbaum. Hershberger (OH) and Smith (OPP) can bring explosive hitting from both sides of the court.
“The Class of 2019 is saturated with talent,” King said. “These five as a group have a perfect blend of realized skill and unleashed potential that I hope we can capitalize upon. Four of them have led their schools to state championships, which speaks to their ability to lead, to work hard through a season, and to perform under pressure.
“We are so excited to welcome them into the PrincetonVolley family and cannot wait for the first day of practice,” King added.
You can read about the five newest members of the program below.
Brooke Hershberger
OH • 5-11 • Granite Bay, Calif.
Granite Bay
“I chose Princeton because of the great education and beautiful campus. I knew the moment I visited the school that Princeton is where I wanted to go to college.”
Before Princeton — led Granite Bay to undefeated season and 2013 state championship, as well as 2012 state final … three-time first-team all-league selection … two-time all-metro honoree … competed in five Junior Olympics and earned silver medal in 2014 … finalist for the 2013 Sacramento Female Athlete of the Year Award … team MVP and all-star team selection as a senior … captain for both high school and club teams … recipient of the 2013 U.S. Army National Scholar-Athlete Award.
Personal — born Nov. 25, 1996 … daughter of Greg and Karen Hershberger … has an older brother Beau, who plays rugby at Cal-Berkeley … enjoys working out, reading and hiking … undecided on course of study at Princeton.
King on Hershberger: Brooke is a very consistent scorer as an outside hitter. She is able to get the ball to the ground with her athleticism and smart play. She is the kind of player that doesn't come off the court because she contributes in so many ways statistically, as well as intangibly.
Nnenna Ibe
MB • 6-3 • North Brunswick, N.J.
North Brunswick
“I chose Princeton because it felt most like home to me.”
Before Princeton — earned all-state honors, as well as first-team all-conference and all-division honors … set the North Brunswick High record with 519 kills … has only played three full seasons of volleyball … team captain … invited to the Penn State Summer Camp … all-state honoree in track & field; won winter state title in the high jump and placed second in both the high jump and triple jump during the spring … Home News Tribune Track Athlete of the Year … NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Award honoree … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Feb. 11, 1997 … daughter of Chigozie and Nicole Ibe … has two younger sisters, Chika and Isabella, and a younger brother Chigozie … enjoys writing, watching documentaries, and science … plans to study chemistry.
King on Ibe: Nnenna is the wild card of this group. She has the potential to be an immediate impact player with her tremendous athleticism and blocking abilities. As a player, she is just tapping her potential and we are excited to see what she can do.
Claire Nussbaum
S • 5-10 • San Diego, Calif.
Francis Parker
“I chose Princeton because it's the perfect place to balance rigorous academic and high-level collegiate volleyball.”
Before Princeton — named the 2014-15 CIF SDS Female Scholar Athlete of the Year … led Francis Parker to three straight state titles and three So-Cal regional championships … named PrepVolleyball All-Academic Team Captain … selected to the Daily Prep All So-Cal Team and the Union Tribune All-Academic Team … San Diego High School Sports Association Student-Athlete honoree … led club team to 2014 titles in open divisions at SCVA and Show Me Qualifier; also earned bronze at Las Vegas Classic and fifth at Junior Nationals … captain for both high school and club teams … National Merit Finalist … received Presidential Scholarship Award for community service … member of the Cum Laude Society … AP Scholar with Distinction … recipient of the Eric Subin '84 Scholar-Athlete Award … member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Personal — born Dec. 15, 1996 … daughter of Michael and Mariana Nussbaum … mother ran the marathon for Guam at the 1998 Olympics and was an All-America water polo player for Stanford … has two older brothers, David and Matt, and a younger brother Adam; David is a setter at California … enjoys reading, traveling and running on the beach … considering studying at the Woodrow Wilson School in global health or environmental studies.
King on Nussbaum: Claire is a winner and has an uncanny ability to find a way to get it done. She is a natural leader on and off the court. Her ability to manage and motivate others will be an important characteristic not only as a setter, but also as a coach on the court.
Caroline Sklaver
MB/S • 6-1 • Miami Beach, Fla.
Ransom Everglades
“I chose Princeton because I fell in love with the campus and the volleyball program, and because of its great balance between academics and social life.”
Before Princeton — named the Miami Dade County Volleyball Player of the Year … two-time first-team all-county honoree by the Miami Herald … two-time team MVP … named the AVCA Region 4 Player of the Year after leading her team to a state title … earned four Player of the Week honors by the Miami Herald … served as team captain for both high school and club teams … earned Mu Alpha Theta distinction.
Personal — born Aug. 26, 1997 … daughter of Carlos and Lynn Sklaver … has an older sister Erika, who plays volleyball at Bowdoin … enjoys swimming, boating and catching lobster with her family … undecided on course of study at Princeton.
King on Sklaver: Caroline is an exciting player who can really do it all. Trained as both a setter and middle blocker, she is a huge offensive threat from anywhere in the front row. With a little bit of strength and development, she could be a dominant player in this league.
Brittany Smith
OPP • 6-2 • Orlando, Fla.
The First Academy
“I chose Princeton because it gives me the ability to pursue various academic and social opportunities, while playing the sport I love. After visiting the campus, I knew Princeton would provide a unique experience that I wouldn't receive anywhere else.”
Before Princeton — led The First Academy to two state championships and one other final; led the team in points in both championship wins … selected to the Florida state all-star team as a senior … earned bronze medal and all-tournament team honors at 2014 USA Volleyball High Performance Women's International Team Championships … two-time district MVP and two-time First-Team All-Central Florida selection … team Offensive Player of the Year honoree twice; averaged double-digit kills three different seasons … recognized among top national sophomores by Prepvolleyball.com (2012) … six-time Junior Olympics competitor … 2015 Humanities AP Scholar Bowl winner and scholarship recipient … AP Scholar with Distinction … member of MENSA International … Florida Young Scholar award recipient … member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society.
Personal — born Sept. 27, 1996 … daughter of David and Maryanne Smith … has two older brothers, Christopher and Nicholas, and an older sister Jennifer … both grandfather and uncle attended Yale; uncle played both football and baseball … enjoys reading, the beach and riding roller coasters … considering studying political science, public policy and finance at Princeton.
King on Smith: Brittany was a highly recruited athlete, playing at the highest levels from a young age. Her physicality and experience make her ready to compete immediately. Her on-court presence also makes her a compelling player to watch.