Nov. 22, 2011

CHICAGO - UIC volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley announced Melissa Nava (Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale South) has inked a National Letter of Intent to continue her volleyball career and academic career at UIC in the fall of 2012.

"We are thrilled to have Melissa join the UIC volleyball family," head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley said. "Melissa will be a great asset to this program. Her ability to play a variety of positions will raise the level of play in our gym."

A four-time letterwinner out of Hinsdale South, Nava, joins the Flames roster at the start of the 2012 academic year. During her tenure as a Hornet, the standout assisted her team to three-consecutive (2009, '10, '11) Western Suburban Conference championships, while notching a regional and sectional championship during the 2010 season. The squad was also victorious in the Warrior Blast Tournament.

As a result of the team successes, Nava earned all-conference, DuPage all-area second team and Warrior Blast all-tournament accolades during the 2010 season. During the 2011 season, she was an all-academic award winner, all-conference selection, all-area honoree, in addition to being selected to the Wheaton Classic, Warrior Blast and Mizuno Cup all-tournament teams. Nava capped off the season by being named the Hinsdale South Most Valuable Player, while being selected to compete in the All-Star game.

During Nava's junior season she hammered down 272 kills, while dishing out 28 assists and picking up 42 digs. She led the squad in blocking with 122 and blanked her opponents with 18 service aces. She logged a season-high 15 kills against Hinsdale Central.

During her final season as a Hornet, the team captain improved to 328 kills on the season, including a season-high 18 against Downers Grove North. She had 132 digs and an impressive 41 service aces on the season. Nava led the Hinsdale South team in blocks, while finishing second in kills.

In addition to her high school team, Nava played club volleyball for 1st Alliance, where she assisted her team to a third-place finish at the Northern Lights Qualifier, first place in the Rox Volleyball World Challenge and notched a 10th-place spot at the USA Volleyball Nationals.

--UIC—