CHADRON - The Chadron State College volleyball team signed three former National American University volleyball players this week to help bolster the Eagles' lineup for next season.

All three of the players - Daniela Oliveira, Thais Batistella and Thamy Viana - were all-NAIA Region III honorees for the Mavericks in 2007. Oliveira is a three-time NAIA All-American while Batistella was also named to the All-American team in 2007. Viana was an honorable mention All-American.

All three players were members of National American's 2006 NAIA national championship-winning team. National American University dissolved its volleyball and rodeo programs in March.

"I'm excited about bringing these girls in because they're all experienced players and they come from a competitive and successful program," Chadron State head coach Amy Spruiell said. "It's going to help us continue our building process and help us continue our work on changing the culture of our program."

The Eagles went 11-19 in 2007 after winning just six matches in 2005 and 2006 combined and Spruiell feels the influx of talent should help immediately, despite the former Mavericks stepping "up" from the NAIA level to NCAA Division II.

"Typically, when you're talking about the highest level teams in any division, the talent is going to be very good," Spruiell said. "We're obviously not in the national rankings like they were at NAU. We're a mid-level team in our conference, but I think the level of competition will be very similar to what they saw while they were at NAU."

Oliveira, an outside hitter from Campinas, Brazil, who will be a senior in 2008, is a three-time NAIA All-American and she was the team's leading hitter in 2007. She averaged 5.52 kills per game to rank fifth in the nation and totaled 657 kills while hitting at a .267 percentage. She was named the NAIA Region III Player of the Year and she posted 30 kills in three different matches. She also finished 2007 with 71 blocks and 386 digs.

"Getting a three-time All-American is obviously a good thing, and we expect the other two players to bring just as much talent to our program," Spruiell said.

Batistella, a junior outside hitter/right side from Campinas, Brazil, also earned All-American and Region III honors in 2007. Last season, she finished with 486 kills (3.86 per game) while hitting at a .262 percentage. She also served 24 aces, and had 275 digs and 46 blocks. In 2006, she was honorable mention on the NAIA All-American team.

Viana, a junior middle blocker from Campinas, Brazil, was also named to the Region III First Team that includes players from Morningside College, Dickinson State, Black Hills State, Doane College, Northwestern and Concordia. Viana was also honorable mention on the NAIA All-American team. In 2007 she hit .250 percent while recording 299 digs. She also had 91 blocks and 299 digs, and served 25 aces.