March 30, 2000

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State volleyball Head Coach Dr. Cecile Reynaud has announced the signing of Cerina Pele, a middle/outside hitter from Gardena, Calif., to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Lady Seminoles next fall.

The 5'10" Pele was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, Calif. She was named the 1999 CIF Co-Player of the Year after helping her team to the CIF Division 3 championship and state finals. A two-time all-state honoree, Pele earned first team all-CIF honors as a junior and was a second team choice as a sophomore. Pele also competes at the club level for the Spoilers, who were Volleyball Festival National Champions in both 1996 and 1998. She led the Spoilers to a third-place finish at the 1999 USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in 17 Club and garnered all-tournament team honors.

"Cerina will bring in good ball control skills and can play on the outside or in the middle," FSU Head Coach Dr. Cecile Reynaud said. "She also has a tremendous amount of playing experience at a high level which will help in her adjustment to the college game."

Pele, who also considered Fresno State, Rhode Island and Georgia Tech, holds a 3.7 grade point average and plans to major in communications/broadcasting at Florida State. She joins Jennifer Anderson, a setter from Minier, Illinois, who signed in early February. Next fall, the Lady Seminoles will return 10 letterwinners from the 1999 squad.