Dec. 16, 2005

Malibu, Calif. - Head women's volleyball coach Nina Matthies signed three standouts to national letters of intent during November's early signing period. Kiah Fiers (5-11, setter, Palos Verdes Estates, CA / Peninsula HS), Rachel Lumsden (6-11, outside hitter, Brea, CA / Brea Olinda HS) and Laurie Walker (6-5, outside hitter/middle blocker, Kaysville, UT / Davis HS) signed national letters of intent and will enroll at Pepperdine next fall, Matthies announced on Friday.

Tabbed one of the Fabulous 50 by Volleyball Magazine, Fiers won a pair of bronze medals at the Junior Olympics in 2003-04 and 2004-05. She was selected a Junior Olympic All-American in the under 18 division in 2003-04. Additionally, Fiers was a standout player on the beach where as she was a National Junior Beach Champion in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Fiers also was the 2004-05 Junior Hermosa Beach Open champion. At Peninsula High, Fiers was named team "Most Valuable Player" as a sophomore and "Co-MVP" as a junior.

Lumsden was a four-time All-CIF selection at Brea Olinda High where she set school e-marks for most kills in a game and match. She concluded her career as Brea Olinda's all-time career leader in aces, kills, and blocks.

Lumsden was a fourth team All-State selection after leading Orange County in aces. In addition to her high school exploits, Lumsden was named to the all-tournament team at the 2002 Junior Olympics for the 16 and under open division.

Walker comes to Pepperdine as one of the most highly-recruited prep players in the country. She was a two-time first-team all-state selection and a second-team pick in 2002. She was named to the Utah 5A State Championship All-Tournament Team three times and was tabbed to the All-Area team four times, including All-Area MVP in 2005.

Additionally, Walker was a member of the USA / IVA High Performance Team that competed in Russia and Argentina.