June 14, 2001

MILWAUKEE - Outside hitter Karen Fruit (Viola, Wis./Richland Center) has enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and joined the Panther volleyball program, head coach Kathy Litzau announced today.

Fruit, an all-state performer the last two seasons, led her team to the state semifinals during her junior season and to the sectional finals her senior year. Richland Center won the Southwest Wisconsin Athletic League championship in 1999 and 2000, and Fruit was named the league's most valuable player each year. She was also an all-conference performer following her sophomore season, a fourth-team all-state pick after her junior year, and a first-team all-state pick this season.

Fruit is also a standout on the basketball court, receiving SWAL MVP honors twice while leading Richland Center to SWAL Division One titles during both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. She was a third-team all-state performer following her senior season after receiving honorable mention all-state honors following her junior year.

Fruit is a standout in the classroom as well. A Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete, Fruit has been on the high honor roll all four years of high school and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Karen is one of the best athletes in the Class of 2001 from the state of Wisconsin," Litzau said. "I am extremely excited to have her join our team as her abilities are endless and she can train in any position. Her commitment to academics also make her a nice fit with our team."

The Panthers won their fourth straight regular season league championship last year, and claimed a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. UWM returns all six starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's team.