Maria Slater commits to Penn State Beaver Volleyball

Maria Slater of Houston, TX commits to Penn State Beaver Volleyball.  Currently a senior at Alief Elsik High School Maria is a dual-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball.

As an opposite side and middle hitter, she hit .160 averaging 9.5 kills per set for her career.  After coming back from a knee injury in her junior season, her best high school memory was starting that first game in her senior season after missing the previous season to rehab.  "I felt accomplished and proud of all of my hard work. It was the greatest memory of all time", says Slater. 

She carries that same dedication in the classroom.  She is currently ranked in the top 2% of her class (853 students) holding a 4.33 GPA and is also enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College.  Her work ethic also earned her Scholar Athlete of the Month (September), being named Academic All-Team as well as earning the Golden Ram Leadership Volleyball Award.   

She currently serves as the secretary of her high school National Honor Society, Vice President for Mu Alpha Theta (a Mathematics Honor Society), and Vice President for Students for Christ.

Maria loves volleyball and is looking forward to "a fresh start in a diverse community" and the upcoming volleyball season.

Coach Bertges loves her personality and leadership and is looking forward to offensive threat she brings from the right side as well as her pressence on the defensive side, slowing down the attack of the opposition.