HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i beach volleyball team has added another player to its recruiting class with the signing of junior college transfer Lea Kruse. The 5-10 Kruse will join the team this fall and will have two years of eligibility.
 
A native of Kronshagen, Germany, Kruse comes to Hawai'i via Irvine Valley College where she has been a standout on both the indoor and beach volleyball teams. In 2018-19, she was named co-Most Valuable player of the Orange Empire Conference in both sports, while also helping lead Irvine Valley to conference titles during both campaigns.
 
On the beach last spring, Kruse led IVC to an unblemished conference record and a No. 3 state ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches Association final poll. She and teammate Renata Bath also finished third in the individual pairs portion of the state championship. For her efforts in both indoor and beach volleyball, Kruse was named Irvine Valley's Women's Athlete of the Year for the 2018-19 school year.
 
"Lea is one of the best junior college volleyball players in California and will make an immediate impact for our program," UH head coach Jeff Hall said.  "She's been extremely committed to her academics all while playing two sports at Irvine College for Coach Pesto. We're really looking forward to having her here in the fall."
 
Kruse was coached at IVC by Tom Pestolesi, a former Rainbow Warrior volleyball player and Rainbow Wahine assistant coach.
 
"Lea's work ethic is as good as anyone I've ever coached," Pestolesi said. "She loves to compete, is an incredible teammate, and a top-notch student. I'm as proud of her as a coach could be and am extremely excited to see her become a Rainbow Wahine."
 
Kruse joins fellow recruits Madi Bogle, Kaylee Glagau, Jaime Santa, and Zoe Smith who all signed with the SandBows in November.
 
Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball Recruiting Class
Madi Bogle | 5-11 | Chula Vista, Calif. | Eastlake HS | 692 West
Kaylee Glagau | 6-2 | Mississauga, Canada | Streetsville Secondary | Legacy Beach
Lea Kruse | 5-10 | Kronshagen, Germany | Irvine Valley College | Gymnasium Kronshagen
Jaime Santer | 6-1 | Toronto, Canada | Northern Secondary| Pakmen
Zoe Smith | 5-8 | San Diego, Calif. | Santa Fe Chrisitan HS | Wave Volleyball Club