Blue Raider Volleyball signs Maka to NLI

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee volleyball head coach Matt Peck announced the addition of Eseta Maka to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during the NCAA's late signing period on Thursday.

Maka joins the program after spending one season at the College of Southern Idaho. The Auckland, New Zealand product was the leading kills and blocks leader. As a middle blocker and right side hitter, Maka totaled 176 kills for an average of 1.76 per set and collected 113 blocks for 1.20 per set.

The rising junior led the Golden Eagles with eight blocks during the team's National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship victory over Western Nebraska. Earlier in the year, Maka was named the AVSR Global National Player of the Week as she posted seven blocks for top-ranked CSI.

"We are so fortunate to have a player of Eseta's caliber joining our program," said Peck. "She has competed at the highest levels with the New Zealand national team and at the junior college level. She will have an immediate impact on our program and I foresee her being one of the most decorated players to have ever played here at Middle Tennessee."

Prior to joining Southern Idaho, Maka spent two seasons with San Diego State. She played in 11 sets during the 2011 season, collecting nine kills and four blocks. Before entering the collegiate ranks, Maka was a member of the New Zealand under-19 women's team and was part of the 2009 national champion Manukau South Volleyball Club.

"Everything just fit better at Middle Tennessee," said Maka. "The girls were great and the potential to be a national contender was a factor in why I decided to sign. The education and the opportunity to obtain my master's was an important factor in choosing MT as well."

With the addition of Maka, the Blue Raiders have inked three to the 2013 signing class. She joins Jale Hervey and Maya Miller who signed their NLIs in November.

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