Volleyball announces three signings

PULLMAN, Wash. — With the addition of three late signings, Washington State Volleyball Head Coach Jen Greeny and Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Burdette Greeny announced the final pieces to their 2023 roster earlier this week. The Cougars will welcome fifth-year transfer Lana Radakovic (middle blocker) from UC Davis, as well as a pair of freshmen in Emma Barbero (libero) from Italy, and Lucie Blažková (middle blocker) from the Czech Republic.

An experienced middle, Radakovic will provide depth at a position where the Cougs suffered multiple early-season setbacks due to injuries in 2022. Originally from San Francisco, Radakovic was a 2021 Big West All-Academic honoree in the classroom and started 41 matches as a middle blocker at UC Davis. She finished her UC Davis career with 1.62 kills/set and tallied 178 career blocks, finishing fourth on the Aggies' roster in 2022 with 2.26 pts/set.

Barbero and Blažková headline the Cougars' incoming freshmen class for 2023 and bring experience playing competitively both internationally for their home countries, as well as playing experience at the highest levels of club volleyball in Europe.

Blažková, a native of Ceská Trebová, Czech Republic, played at the highest level of women's club volleyball in her home country for VK Dukla Liberec where she helped her team to a pair of league championships and a runner-up finish in the Czech Cup. Blažková has helped the Czech Republic reach the 2023 U21/U22 European Championship and has represented her country at both the 2022 and 2023 CEV Volleyball European Golden League.

Barbero, a libero from Asti, Italy, comes to the Palouse from Italy where she also played at the highest level of club volleyball and spent the last two year with Vallefoglia of the Italia Women's Serie A1. She had spent the previous two seasons with Club Italia of the Italia Women's Serie A2 and twice earned libero of the tournament recognition at the 2021 U18 FIVB World Championship and the 2020 U17 European Championship, respectively.

The three newest Cougars will compliment the addition of All-Pac-12 outside hitter Iman Isanovic (Arizona State), and ds/setter Peyton Claus (Idaho) who each joined the roster prior to the start of the Spring semester.

For all the latest WSU volleyball news, photos and videos, like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/WSUCougarVB), or follow on Twitter (@WSUCougarVB) and Instagram (@w sucougarvb).

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐠 ✍️ We've added another talented middle to our lineup!

𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙩 𝙐𝘾 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙨
🏐'21 Big West Conference All-Academic Team
🏐Started 41 matches in 3 seasons w/ 1.62 kills/s and 178 career blocks#GoCougs | #WAZZU pic.twitter.com/GXrxYBu9Zh
— Cougar Volleyball (@WSUCougarVB) May 15, 2023

🚨NEW COUGAR!!🚨

Emma Barbero is a skilled libero who spent two years with Club Italia in the Italia Women's Serie 2 league before moving up to the Women's Serie A1 where she spent the 2022-23 season playing for Vallefoglia! Welcome to the Cougar Family Emma! 🏐

#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Q1bOHf4BJA
— Cougar Volleyball (@WSUCougarVB) May 16, 2023

Coug Nation, let's give a warm welcome to Lucie Blažková!

With two league championships and a European Golden League title under her belt, this middle blocker from the Czech Republic is ready to take the Pac-12 by storm.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/AE22EQSrzP
— Cougar Volleyball (@WSUCougarVB) May 17, 2023

Washington State University Athletics

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