Cowley volleyball players sign with four-year schools

Four members of the winningest sophomore class in the history of the Cowley College volleyball program and one red-shirt freshman recently signed with four-year schools.

First-Team All-American, outside hitter Laura Bonomi, Third-Team All-American opposite hitter Sara Puskas, along with Second-Team All-District middle hitter Lucrezia Ceroni and defensive specialist Kara Martin, helped Cowley win all 81 matches they played during their two years at Cowley. Also, during their two-year career, they had a set record of 243-10.

These players also helped the Lady Tigers capture back-to-back undefeated national championships in 2023 and 2024, a NJCAA record.

Head coach Steven Gream could not be prouder of this sophomore group.

"This sophomore class is by far the best group of student-athletes that I have ever worked with during my time at Cowley," Gream said. "They bought into our standards, were good people, great players, and demonstrated superior class and humility in everything they did. Coming to work and coaching them and their teammates, each day, was pure joy. I could not be prouder of them."

Bonomi and Ceroni will continue to be teammates as they signed with NAIA Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida), while Puskas signed with NCAA DII Catawba University (Salisbury, N.C.). Martin will switch from the hard court to the sand as she signed with NAIA Texas A &M University – Texarkana's beach volleyball program (Texarkana, Texas).

"They all had a variety of options but found the right place for them," Gream said. "It's exciting to see these players put in the work and find great places to play that will allow them to carry on and share what they have learned here at Cowley."

Bonomi, who was named AVCA and NJCAA Player of the Year, finished the season with a team-high 560 kills. She was also second on the team in digs (431) and first in aces (85) and was named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Most Valuable Player. She finished her career with 1,055 career kills, the fourth most career kills in Cowley history, and also finished second in kills per set at 4.17.

"My time here at Cowley was unforgettable. Being part of this program made me grow a lot as a player and as a person. I'm grateful to all my coaches, my amazing teammates, friends, and the Cowley community, who always supported me and made me feel at home. Cowley gave me a home on the other side of the ocean, a family, and memories I'll carry with me forever. Once a tiger, always a tiger!" Bonomi said.

Puskas, coming off her first All-American season at Cowley, was second on the team in kills (408) and third in hitting percentage (.341) to make a huge impact in 2024. She finished her career tenth in Cowley history in kills in a career (799) and 11^th in career hitting percentage (.355).

"Being part of Cowley Volleyball has been amazing," Puskas said. "I love how supportive everyone is, from my teammates to the coaches. Winning two national championships with this team has been incredible – it shows how hard we all worked together. I'll always be grateful for my time here."

Ceroni led the team in total blocks (77) and in hitting percentage (.449). She also led the NJCAA in hitting percentage and was named All-District and All-Conference. Ceroni finished her career as Cowley's all-time hitter in hitting percentage (.457).

"These two years at Cowley changed my life," Ceroni said. "I found a second family in my team and in the community, without them, it wouldn't have been the same. Growth has been part of the journey, not only from a volleyball point of view but as a person. I will take with me unforgettable moments, emotions, and friends from all over the world who have accompanied me in these two years and have become part of my life. I'll be forever grateful."

Martin was a key piece to the team with her versatility to play multiple positions in the back row, provide a solid serve, and also hit when called upon in the front or back row. An injury limited her normal effectiveness during 2024, but she still provided the team with the much-needed depth that led to back-to-back championships.

"My time at Cowley has been the most memorable two years of my life. Not only meeting some of the best people that will be in my life for years to come, but also making history," Martin said. When talking about Cowley, people usually talk about our record and the back-to-back national championships, but the only thing I would talk about is my teammates and coaches. When we said we are a family, we meant it. All the girls truly do love each other. As I go into my next chapter, I will be playing beach volleyball. I made this decision because of an injury, but also because Cowley has made me confident to play in the sand. The skills I have learned have made me a stronger player and person. I will forever cherish my time at Cowley and hold on to the great memories I have made."

The sophomores finish their two years at the school with back-to-back undefeated National Championships, a pair of District titles, a pair of Jayhawk Conference titles, and a conference record of 20-0.

Along with winning its fourth national championship in program history, Cowley finished the season unbeaten in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division (10-0) and extended its winning streak to an NJCAA record 81 matches. The Lady Tigers finished the season with a record of 40-0 and extended their home court-winning streak to 40 matches in a row.

In addition to the sophomores, red-shirt freshman Federica Ferrari signed with John Brown University (Siloam Springs, Arkansas).

"Even if just for one year, I'm very proud to say that I was able to be a part of Cowley Volleyball," Ferrari said. "Here, I not only found a volleyball team but a real family ready to support you and push you to be your best and always do your best on and off the court. I'm very grateful to Coach Gream, Coach Lana, and all my teammates for this year, and I wish all of them good luck for next season and in their lives!"