Seward Volleyball’s Sierra and Tapigliani Sign

LIBERAL, Kan. – Two Seward County volleyball players signed their futures to four-year schools on Tuesday in the All-American, as Luz Sierra intends to become part of the Pride at NCAA Division I Hofstra University, and Giovanna Tapigliani will become a Spartan at NAIA Missouri Baptist University.

Two of the most accomplished volleyball players in a historic sophomore class, Sierra and Tapigliani have left their mark. Sierra had a remarkable sophomore campaign, finishing second in the nation with a .457 hitting percentage en route to an NJCAA First Team All-American selection. The 6-foot-6 middle hitter also finished with 67 solo blocks, good for seventh in the nation. Sierra earned the rare honor of being named the NJCAA Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week during her second season in Liberal.

Sierra joins Hofstra after the Pride went 25-8 last season, while beating James Madison for the Colonial Athletic Association Championship. Hofstra lost to eventual National Runners-Up, Nebraska in the 2018 Division I NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Tournament.

Tapigliani was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection in the Jayhawk West and the 2017 Jayhawk West Freshman of the Year. She finished her career with the 6th most kills and 7th highest kills per set in Seward County history. Tapigliani was named the NJCAA and AVCA National Offensive Player of the week during her sophomore season.

Tapigliani will head to a Spartan team that went 33-6 a season ago, losing in the American Midwest Conference semifinals. MBU advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA National Tournament but lost to Midland University.

The two help lead the Lady Saints to a 55-9 overall record and a perfect 32-0 in Jayhawk West play during their two years in Liberal. With help from Sierra and Tapigliani, the Seward volleyball program reached new heights in 2018, finishing 4th at the NJCAA National Tournament, the highest finish in program history.