BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Jun. 1, 2017) - On Thursday, LIU Post Head Volleyball Coach Amanda Ostapow announced her first-ever signing class and five student-athletes are slated to join the Pioneers in 2017.

The class includes Kristin Bendy (Stony Brook, N.Y.), Lauren Kloos (Kings Park, N.Y.), Allie Lackner (Albuquerque, N.M.), Asiya Way (Denver, Colo.) and Sydney Audiffred Zauner (North Aurora, Ill.).

"Our coaching staff is very excited to have these five exceptional ladies joining our program," said Ostapow. "These five student-athletes not only work hard on the court, but maintain grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher off the court."


Name: Kristin Bendy
Position: Right Side
Hometown: Stony Brook, N.Y.
Previous School: Ward Melville High School (Canisius College)
Career Highlights: Transfer from Division I program Canisius College ... Appeared in 20 matches for the Golden Griffins in 2014 ... Registered 116 kills, 40 digs, 35 blocks and four aces ... Four-year varsity starter at Ward Melville High School ... Earned All-Long Island honors from Newsday ... Four-Time All-League and Two-Time All-County selection ... Suffolk County Rookie of the Year ... Named to Long Island's "Starting Six".

Ostapow on Bendy: "Kristin will be a huge asset to our offense next year. We are excited to have her as a Pioneer."


Name: Lauren Kloos
Position: Outside Hitter/Right Side
Hometown: Kings Park, N.Y.
Previous School: Kings Park High School
Career Highlights: Varsity starter at Kings Park High School ... Named to All-County, All-Long Island and All-State First Team ... Selected to New York State All-Tournament Team ... Member of Suffolk County Volleyball Coaches Association "Super Seven" ... Helped the Kingsmen to a New York State Championship runner-up finish in 2016.

Ostapow on Kloos: "I have watched Lauren play a number of times this season, and every time, she plays better than the last. She is a solid blocker and versatile hitter on the outside and right side."


Name: Allie Lackner
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M.
Previous School: St. Pius X High School
Career Highlights: Three-year varsity player at St. Pius X High School ... 2015 and 2016 Class 5A All-State First Team ... Named to Journal All-Metro Second Team in her senior season.

Ostapow on Lackner: "Allie is a great defender and an extremely hard worker on the court. She will be a great addition to our already solid defensive core."


Name: Asiya Way
Position: Middle Hitter
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Previous School: East High School
Career Highlights: Varsity starter at East High School ... Named All-State in 2016 ... Collected a career-high 144 kills, 75 blocks and 22 aces as a junior.

Ostapow on Way: "Asiya was highly recommended by her high school coach. I was able to see her play in Colorado and she is an offensive threat with her fast arm swing and big block. We are very excited to see her in action in the upcoming season."


Name: Sydney Audiffred-Zauner
Position: Outside Hitter/Right Side
Hometown: North Aurora, Ill.
Previous School: Aurora Central Catholic High School
Career Highlights: Varsity starter at Aurora Central Catholic High School ... 2016 All-Area Honorable Mention ... Named to All-Tournament Team at Joliet Central.

Ostapow on Zauner: "Sydney is an all-around six-rotation player. She has great ball control in the back row and is a very smart hitter."