University of South Alabama Athletics

AT SOUTH ALABAMA
JUNIOR SEASON (2011): Competed in 11 sets and five matches for South Alabama…Recorded eight kils, four block assists and one dig.…Best match came against Louisiana Tech (9/3), where she had four kills and two block assists…Named to the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll.

AT ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE: Lettered two seasons at Arizona Western College in Yuma,  Ariz…Recorded 119 kills with a .244 attack percentage as a sophomore, while also ranking third on the club in blocks with 34…Helped the Matadors finish the season ranked second in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference after posting a 19-9 overall record and a 15-3 mark in the league, and a runner-up finish in the region…Played in 103 sets, recording 75 kills and a team-best 72 total blocks as a freshman.
 
AT RIGA ENGLISH GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND NORTH OLMSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Riga English Grammar School in Riga, Latvia, and played six seasons of club ball for both Marupe and SVK Riga…Played the 2008 season at North Olmstead High School in North Olmstead, Ohio, where she lettered in volleyball, basketball and track…She graduated from both her high schools in Latvia and Ohio.

PERSONAL:  Elina Strautniece…Born in Riga, Latvia…Daughter of Gunars and Inara Strautniece…Has a younger sister who is planning on playing volleyball at Florida Gulf Coast University…Lists favorite movies as “A Walk to Remember”, “Step Brothers” and “Shutter Island”…Favorite professional sports team is the Los Angeles Lakers…Favorite athlete is LeBron James…Favorite musical artist is Chris Brown…Lists favorite foods as Italian and chocolate…Majoring in international studies.