Pair of Ladyjacks Volleyball Players Are Mississippi Bound!

Tiandre Stuart (left) and Karrien Marteniuk will stay teammates as they both are moving on to NAIA school Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.
Tiandre Stuart (left) and Karrien Marteniuk will stay teammates as they both are moving on to NAIA school Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.
Posted: Feb 05, 2020

One player is moving closer to home, the other a lot farther from home.  Volleyballers Tiandre Stuart of Barbados and Karrien Marteniuk of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Canada are both moving on to Blue Mountain College of Blue Mountain, Mississippi.  

The Toppers compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference of the NAIA.  They were 10-20 in coach Reid Gann's first season at the helm of the Toppers. 

Gann had recruited both players for about a month, separately, hoping he would get one.  He was no doubt happy to get both starting Ladyjacks onto his roster for 2020.

"Tiandre is an outstanding volleyball player", said Gann. "She should be bale to have a really positive impact on our program as soon as she lands on campus".

Stuart was recruited by several schools, including a few in North Dakota, but ultimately chose to go a little closer to home and somewhere substantially warmer!

Marteniuk was added just before Stuart and also had a desire for a warmer climate.  The Canadian had a big year for the Ladyjacks and was also recruited by several schools.

Gann was excited to land a transfer he felt could step into the lineup immediately.  "We're very pleased to add Karrien to our volleyball team here at Blue Mountain.  She has a lot of big game experience and covers the floor well.  I expect her to provide good leadership to our younger players".  

"I'm so happy for these young ladies.  We worked hard to find them, and all our players, a good home for next season.  Reid, more then any other coach, was dilligent and really wanted these two.  I personally recruited both these players and I'm so thrilled that they will have a great opportunity to keep playing", stated Head Coach Mike Smith.  

Stuart is looking to take Pre-veterinary Science and Marteniuk will complete her Bachelors of Science in Biology.

Four graduating sophomores have signed with NAIA 4 year schools this winter.  Stuart and Marteniuk join Sarah Marshall (Presentation College) and Michelle Krahn (Mayville State University) as current Ladyjack transfers moving on to NAIA schools.