Volleyball Gears up for Next Year;
Defending NEC Champions Sign Two Student-Athletes

1/17/06 -Long Island University head coach Toby Rens has announced the signing of two student-athletes to join the volleyball program in the fall. Martina Racic and Toni Perhat have signed National Letters of Intent to represent the two-time Northeast Conference champions.

Racic, a 6-2 middle blocker, hails from Pula, Croatia. She competed on the Pula Club team and earned all-area and Junior National Team honors for the past two seasons.

“Martina is a very talented player who works hard both on and off the court. She is extremely quick and will have an immediate impact on the team,” Rens notes. “We're looking forward to Martina continuing her education and playing career as a Blackbird."

Perhat, also from Croatia, is a 6-0 left-handed opposite hitter from Manatee (Fla.) Community College. She finished fourth in the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) with 9.2 assists per game and fifth in digs with 4.7 recorded a game.

“Toni brings a lot of experience and athleticism,” Rens says of the southpaw. “We’re looking forward to the impact that she is going to have on our program. Toni is the ideal student-athlete; focused and will fit in well with our team philosophy.”

The Blackbirds claimed their second consecutive NEC crown this past fall. They advanced to the second round of the 2005 NCAA Volleyball Championships, becoming the first league team to win a match in NCAA play.