The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Volleyball Adds Two Zips
April 12 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio — Zips' volleyball head coach Tom Hanna announced on Wednesday that Jelena Slijepcevic (Ruma, Serbia) and Shelby Fulmer (Perrysburg, Ohio) will be joining the program for the 2017-18 academic year.
A junior college transfer, 5-9 Slijepcevic (pronounced Slip-cev-ich) was a setter at Northwest College. She is a two-time NJCAA Region IX Academic All-Region (2015, 16) and NJCAA Academic All-American 2015, 16). She was named to the 2016 Region IX North All-Tournament Team. Northwest College finished fourth at 2015 NJCAA Division I National tournament and sixth in 2016.
"As a junior college transfer, Jelena will bring our squad some college level experiences that will help our program take the next step to competing for a spot at the top of the MAC," Hanna said. "She's led her team to nationals the last two seasons, finishing fourth in 2015 and sixth this past year. Jelena also has significant club experience back at home in Serbia where she's traveled throughout Europe playing at a high level. We look forward to adding Jelena to our program."
A 6-0 right side hitter, Fulmer played for Premier Academy (club) and Perrysburg High School. The two-time MVP at Perrsyburg HS (2015, 16), Fulmer was a first-team All-League and first-team All-District selection. She also was named to All-League Academic Team and All-District Academic Team. This spring, she named to the Asics Midwest Power League All-League Team.
"I'm excited to add Shelby to our program," Hanna said. "She will come to Akron with great volleyball and leadership skills from experiences at Premier Academy and Perrysburg High School. Shelby will also be a primary passer for us and can help us out in the middle when needed. It's great to add someone to our program who's not only strong in those areas, but is also a solid student."
The duo joins Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio), Taylor Kuruzovich (Port Matilda, Pa.), Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio), Kaylee Rogers (Parker, Colo.) and Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) as the Class of 2017 signees.
Akron volleyball opens the 2017 season at Navy's Kristen Dickmann Invitational on August 25-26. The Zips open their home slate with their own Akron Invitational on Sept. 1-2 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
