Wolverines Sign Two From California, One From Illinois
11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's water polo head coach Matt Anderson announced today (Monday, Nov. 21) the signing during the early signing period of three players to National Letter of Intent for the 2006-07 season. Logan Bjorkman (Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley), Terri Bukofzer (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson), Leah Robertson (Newport, Calif./Newport Harbor) will all join the Wolverines next fall.
"I was looking for just a few players in this class that could come in and compete heavily right away to go along with the other young players we brought in this year," said Anderson. "Though small in numbers, their impact over the next four years should be huge starting as soon as fall of 2006."
Robertson helped Newport Harbor High School win the Division I California Interscholastic Federation Water Polo Championships in the Southern Section in 2004, earning second-team All-CIF honors. She is currently a member of the USA Junior National Team, which is a 20-and-under team consisting of the top 13 players in the nation. Robertson is also one of only four high school players to be invited to play in the 2005 Speedo Top 40 Tournament. This past summer, she was named the MVP of the Hawaiian Invitational in Waikiki, Hawaii. Robertson is a utility player and is currently coached by Bill Barnet.
"We are very excited to have someone like Leah come join us at Michigan," said Anderson. "She is an outstanding player and will be a solid addition to our team, not only from a playing standpoint but from a team-member perspective as well. She is performing at a high level right now and will continue to reach an even higher level now that she will be joining our program."
Bjorkman helped her team to the 2005 Division I California Interscholastic Federation Water Polo Championships in the North Coast Section earlier this month. She has been named an East Bay Athletic League scholar athlete and a North Coast Section scholar athlete each of the last two years. Bjorkman is a two-meter offensive and defensive player, and her current coach is Jon Leach.
"Logan is a player that brings an amazing amount of intensity to the pool. She will push herself to outwork the next person to achieve her goals," said Anderson. "She set her mind on coming to Michigan a few years ago and put in the effort academically and athletically to be able to achieve the level that it takes to get here. I am excited to coach her."
Bukofzer's high school season begins in the spring. She helped her team to a second-place finish in state last season. As a sophomore 2004, she earned second-team all-state and fourth-team All-America honors. As a junior in 2005, Bukofzer collected first-team all-state honors and was named to the National Youth team, which consists of the best players 18 and under in the nation. Bukofzer plays two-meter defense and is currently coached by Jeff Wimer.
"I am very happy that a player of Terri's caliber decided to stay in the Midwest," said Anderson. "When I first saw her play she was on her way to being a strong goalie, and her athleticism allowed her to switch to the field, where her growth potential is still untapped. She wanted a school with a very strong chemistry and engineering program where she could also grow as a water polo player. Thankfully the University of Michigan can provide that."
Michigan will start the 2006 season with the Michigan Kick-Off on Feb. 4-5. The two-day event will take place at Canham Natatorium.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
