WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford volleyball team has signed a pair of student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Mitch Kallick announced today. Valerie Diede (Keizer, Ore.) and Alexandra Lucero (Plano, Texas) will join the Hawks' roster in the fall of 2018.

A 6-foot-2 middle blocker, Diede had a strong career under Crystal Demello at McNary High School, recording 80 blocks and calculating a .397 hitting percentage as a senior.

A two-time All-League pick who capped off her career by earning a spot on the First Team, Diede plays club volleyball for the North Pacific Juniors, leading the squad to a first-place finish at the CEVA Regional Championship and a 15th-place finish at the USAV Junior National Championship's Open Division last summer.

"Valerie is a great compliment to the middles we currently have on our roster," said Kallick. "Her length and blocking ability have impressed me from the first time I saw her play. Valerie is a very good athlete who has the potential to make a significant impact for our program over the course of her time here at Hartford."

A senior at Plano West High School, Lucero will bring a wealth of experience on the back line for the Hawks. In addition to a strong career under Plano West Head Coach Brittany Bridge, the 5-foot-7 defensive specialist/libero is a member of the Madfrog Volleyball Club.

Averaging 4.31 digs per set as a senior, Lucero was a part of a successful 2017 season that saw Plano West go 11-3 and win District 6-6A outright. In addition, Madfrog qualified for the 2017 USA Volleyball National Championships this past club season. 

"Alexandra is a superb athlete who plays in one of the most competitive volleyball regions in the country," Kallick said. "Her experience will be extremely valuable when she arrives on campus next year. Alexandra's volleyball IQ and ball control will help solidify our first contact and reinforce the depth we have at the defensive specialist/libero position."

This marks the third-straight season that Kallick and his assistant coaches have landed a solid recruiting class, as the Hawks' freshman class was nationally recognized in each of the last two years.