WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ââ'¬" The Boilermaker volleyball team rounds out its incoming freshman class with the addition of middle blocker Shavona Cuttino.
Cuttino, the younger sister of current Boilermaker middle blocker Danielle, is a 6-2 middle from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. She was listed as PrepVolleyball.com's No. 47 Senior Ace and also was named as an Under Armour All-America honorable mention selection as a senior. She average 2.7 kills, 1.7 digs and 2.3 blocks per set, while hitting at a .302 clip her final season. Cuttino also competed in high jump for the Giants' track team. The daughter of Daniel and Tacila Cuttino plays club volleyball for the Circle City Volleyball Club. Her 17s Purple team qualified for USAV Nationals in 2014.
"I am so excited to have Shavona on board," head coach Dave Shondell said. "Speed and power are so crucial to success at the net in today's game and Shavona brings both to the Boilers. Of all the middles in her class, Shavona is in an elite group in regard to quickness to the ball and elevating off one foot to attack behind the setter. I think she will blossom in our competitive training environment."
PrepVolleyball's John Tawa had this to say about Cutttino:
"Cuttino is not as tall as her older sister, Danielle, a USA Junior National Team member contributing as a freshman to Purdue's 6-0 start, but she has many of the same skills and talents. One of the fastest risers in the Class of 2015, Cuttino is a high-flyer with great quickness along the net and a whip for an arm. Incredibly fast to the pin, she's at her best behind the setter, but is skilled in front as well. Jumping well over 10-0, Cuttino can rise above any blockers and hit angles above the block that are incredibly frustrating for teams to try to defend. Cuttino also is developing into an effective blocker. Her ability to elevate and penetrate can produce some spectacular stuffs. Ultra-competitive and very tough, Cuttino will join her sister at Purdue, forming an impressive sister tandem in the middle-blocking position."
Cuttino joins middle blocker Blake Mohler (Ocean Springs, Miss.), defensive specialist Brooke Peters (Avon, Ind.) and outside hitter Alexa Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in the incoming freshman class. Peters enrolled at Purdue in January and participated in the team's spring season.
The 2015 Boilermakers kick off the fall with the annual Mortar Board Premier, August 28-29.