GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Volleyball Coach Dave Fleming has announced that three current high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and volleyball careers with the Mavericks, starting in the fall of 2023.  The recruiting class includes two players from Utah in Salt Lake City's Marli Clausi and Farmington's Sophie Wendt and one from Colorado in Colorado Springs' Nicole Martin. 
 
Complete biographies on each player as well as quotes from Fleming and the new Mavericks can be found below.
 
"We are excited about these three student-athletes joining the Maverick Family. We expect all three of these athletes to have great volleyball careers and make a positive impact within the CMU community," Fleming said.
 
The Mavericks have posted back-to-back 20-win seasons and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals in 2022.  Fleming, who recently wrapped up his 18^th season with the Mavericks, is the winningest and longest tenured volleyball coach in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with 343 career victories.
    Prep: Will graduate from Skyline High School in 2023… Helped lead the Mondo Begay Coached Eagles win four straight region titles during her prep career… Was a 4-year starting varsity captain for the team that finished in the top 10 of the state in all four years.
 
Club: Played for Hive Volleyball… Coached by Sarah Chism.
 
Personal: Plans to major in kinesiology… Plans to obtain a bachelor's degree in the field and then further her studies in sports science with aspirations of a career as an athletic trainer or coach… Parents are Missy Marlowe and Joe Clausi… Has two older siblings— Joe and Milan Clausi…. Her favorite hobbies and activities are cooking, watching movies, hiking and hanging out with friends and family.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose Colorado Mesa for the culture their volleyball program has set as well as the beautiful campus and strong academics. I'm following in my family's footsteps of becoming a Maverick!"
 
Fleming on Clausi: "Marli has great athlete pedigree.  Her brother played football here and both her mom and dad competed at a high level.  Marli camp to our camps and did a great job.  She is great libero and is strong, steady, and smart.  She will help our backrow immediately."
   
Prep: Will graduate from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 2023… Was a first team all-conference pick for the Red Tailed Hawks and Coach Ellen Deyer.
 
Club: Plays for Colorado Juniors and Coach Doug Stark.
 
Personal: Plans to major in business… Daughter Richard and Angela Martin… Has three older siblings— Brooke, Luke and Hannah… Aspires to end up in a career that she loves and finish college with an idea of where I want to continue her goals to become the best version of herself… Loves to hike and ski and is good at playing cribbage and pickle ball.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because it is absolutely awesome. The campus is beautiful and the town is the home of my rock star NICU Nurse sister. Coach Fleming is definitely a huge bonus to the volleyball program and the volleyball girls are so amazing and talented people."
 
Fleming on Martin:  "Nicole has great size at 6-2 and has a huge upside.  She plays middle blocker for her club team and outside hitter for her high school.  She has a chance to make an impact across the front row right away and the sky is the limit how she could impact this program."
   
Prep: Will Graduate from Farmington High School in 2023… Played for the Phoenix and Coach April Painter… Earned academic all-state honors as a senior in 2022…. Was a third team all-area pick in 2021 and a First Team All-Region 5 selection as a sophomore in 2020.
 
Club: Played for Club V and Coach Reed Carlson… Helped the team qualify for the USAV Nationals in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022.
 
Personal: Plans to major in nursing… Aspires to enter the medical field as a nurse, physician assistant or physical therapist… Daughter of Becky and John Wendt… Has two older brothers— Jake and Mike… Besides volleyball, lists her hobbies as traveling, pottery, reading, watching funny dog videos and anything where she is outside like skiing, hiking or boating.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "At first sight, I really liked the campus. The size, location, and the academics were a perfect fit. I easily saw myself at the school. But most importantly, the volleyball program is outstanding and will help me to develop my game through strong coaching and great player role models. They have already made me feel part of a family."
 
Fleming on Wendt: "Sophie also came to our camp and made a great connection with our team as a setter and more importantly as a person.   She is very athletic and has good size.  She will have big shoes to fill, eventually taking over for (3-time First Team All-RMAC & Honorable Mention All-American) Sabrina (VanDeList) but we know she is up to the task."