The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers women’s volleyball head coach Kathy Litzau didn’t have to look far for new recruits — she signed three, all who live within the metro Milwaukee area, to national letters of intent.

“There is no question this is one of our best recruiting classes,” Litzau said after announcing that Maddie Sueppel of Grafton, Kellye Zaporski of Jackson, and Lauren Felsing of Hartland had signed national letters of intent to play for her.

“It is always nice to have players from Wisconsin, and with all of these players on the same club team, they are used to each other and that should help adjustment to the collegiate game. All three of these players will push our team to a new level,” Litzau said.

The trio starred for the Milwaukee Sting, a club volleyball team that won a national championship in 2004 after coming in second in 2003.

Each player brings some experience and talent to different positions on the court. Sueppel is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, Zaporski is a 5-foot-8 setter and Felsing is a 5-foot-9 outside hitter.

Sueppel was a standout at Cedarburg High School, where she was all-state in 2003 and 2004 before a knee injury shortened her 2005 campaign.

“She plays big at the net and she has great skill with both blocking and hitting,” Litzau said. “There is no question she has a chance to make an immediate impact on our team.”

Zaporski was a three-time all-state selection at Kettle Moraine High School. Her team made it to the Division III state championships all four of her years, winning three.

“Kellye is definitely one of the best setter recruits we’ve ever gotten,” Litzau said. “She is very good at giving the right ball to the right hitter. Her location and the choices she makes are very good.”

Felsing was a two-time all-state honoree at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. She is also the younger sister of Leanne Felsing, who plays for UWM.

“She has played great against some of the best hitters in the country throughout her club career and she has gained a reputation as an excellent defensive player,” Litzau said. “It is also nice to have that family connection and to have two great players from the Felsing family in our program.”

If Litzau seems to be a tad enthusiastic, she has every right to be. Her two previous recruiting classes have been Wisconsin-only, which may have had something to do with the team’s third consecutive Horizon League regular season championship.

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