University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball Announces Two More Signees
5/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
May 2, 2003
HOUSTON - University of Houston volleyball head coach Bill Walton recently announced the signing of junior college transfers Cinthia Piva (Brusque, Brazil-Arizona Western College) and Petela Afungia (Euless, Texas-Trinity HS/SMSU-West Plains) to National Letters of Intent. Both athletes will join the Cougars for the 2003 season.
Piva, a 5-11 middle blocker, comes to Houston after spending two seasons at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz., under head coach James Finley. She earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors and was a First-Team NJCAA All-American in 2001 and 2002.
In her sophomore season, Piva led her team to a 35-7 overall record (seventh in the nation) and was named the 2002 ACCAC Player of the Year.
"Cinthia will step into the shoes vacated by the graduation of Jenny Tanneberger," Walton said. "Cinthia will add a great deal to our team with her international experience."
A graduate of Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, Afungia will join the Cougar squad after two seasons with the Southwest Missouri State-West Plains Grizzles. As a sophomore and team captain, she led the Grizzlies to a second-place finish at the 2002 NJCAA National Championships.
At 6-3, the all-region performer will make an immediate impact for Houston in the outside hitter position.
"La will add size, experience and enthusiasm at the outside hitter position," Walton said. "After leading her team to a second place finish at Nationals in 2002, she knows what it takes to win."
"We are excited to add two players of Cinthia and La's caliber to the strong class of freshmen that we signed in the fall," he said.
With only five returnees in 2003, the Cougars will expect the newcomers to contribute immediately.
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