(February 29, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- Danielle Guss of Temperance Bedford High School was looking for the right fit for her academically as well as on the volleyball court. Concordia head volleyball coach Dan Kirchhoff was looking for another skilled athlete that can step in right away and make a contribution. Both individuals are pleased that beginning next fall Guss will be suiting up for the Cardinals as Kirchhoff continues to build upon last season's squad that made a move up the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference standings and just missed winning 20 games for the first time in more than a  decade.

 

Guss was named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region after finishing her senior season with 393 kills and 590 digs. The Monroe Evening News picked Guss as a Special Mention member of their all-area volleyball squad and the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association placed Guss on their All-Region First Team.

 

Guss was looking for somewhere where she would be able to excel academically as well as being a part of something.

 

"I like the small environment because that gives me the opportunity to concentrate on my grades as well as playing volleyball," said. Guss, who enters with a strong academic record as well as she was named a Scholar Athlete this past season.

 

"Concordia is also ranked in the top ten schools for education, and with that being my major, I know I will be receiving the best education around," she said.

 

Kirchhoff likes Guss because she brings the athleticism needed to excel at the next level as well as having been under the guidance of a quality head coach in Bedford's Jodi Manore.

 

"Danielle is a tremendously gifted athlete and an extremely hard worker," Kirchhoff said. "She has been well coached in high school, as well as in club volleyball, and that experience will allow her to adapt and grow at the collegiate level beginning immediately as a freshman."

 

Kirchhoff said that it is a positive sign that the program is continuing to improve as they are able to attract individuals as talented as Guss and his earlier signings are. Kirchhoff has already positioned the Cardinals as a mid-level team in the conference in just two seasons, after a decade near the bottom. The Cards are looking to break into the top of the conference this season, which could make them nationally strong as well.

 

"We look for Danielle to contribute right away and that will make a huge difference for us as we look to move into the upper echelon of a very tough conference in the WHAC," Kirchhoff said.

 

Manore likes what she has seen in the improvement of the Concordia program and feels that sending one of her top players to Ann Arbor is a good move for all parties.

 

"I have heard very good things about Concordia's athletic program and the school and I think that Danielle and Concordia will be a very good fit," Manore said. "I believe (Danielle) will be a fine addition to the team as she is a very hard-working, self-motivated and responsible young lady."