DENVER -- The University of Denver volleyball team has added Olivia Novotny (Germantown, Tenn.) and Caroline Pearson (Chicago, Ill.) in the spring signing period to its 2015 roster, head coach Jesse Mahoney announced on Wednesday.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Olivia and Caroline to the DU volleyball family," Mahoney said. "They will bring a lot of talent and competitive experience to our libero and setting positions, and both Olivia and Caroline will fit in perfectly to our team culture both on and off the court. They are hard workers in the classroom and on the court, and they will be wonderful representatives of the DU volleyball program in the community."

Novotny was a defensive specialist and outside hitter in high school (Houston High School), finishing her varsity career with 309 service aces, 2.6 kills/set and 461 sets played. The Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State selection set state records for most aces in a match and most aces in a set. Novotny was also named a Best of Preps Volleyball finalist and All-Region 8 MVP, leading her team to a fourth place finish at the state championships.

"Olivia possesses all of the characteristics we look for in the libero position. She's extremely fast and athletic, has a great platform touch and is a fearless defender," Mahoney said. "She is a great competitor and will add to our already talented group of defensive players."

Pearson was a member of the 2014 USA Volleyball Junior National A1 Program and the 2013 USA Volleyball Youth Continental Team. The Chicago product was named to the America Volleyball Coaches' Association Under Armour Watch List, a year after finding herself on the AVCA Phenom List. In addition to her USA Volleyball experience, Pearson was a four-year setter for both her club (Sports Performance Volleyball Club) team and her high school team (New Trier High School). Pearson helped lead New Trier High School to a third-place finish in the 2013 state tournament.

"Coming from Sports Performance, Caroline has had great training at the setter position and has enjoyed competing at a high level," Mahoney said. "Like Olivia, Caroline is a focused competitor and in the setter role she is a natural leader."

Novotny and Pearson join Rebecca Latham (Austin, Texas) and Emma Willis (La Jolla, Calif.), who both signed their National Letters of Intent during the fall signing period in November, to make up Mahoney's 2015 freshman class.

The Pioneers wrapped up the2014 seasonwiththe program's best record in its history (27-7, 13-3 Summit) and Summit League regular season and tournament titles, the first league tournament title in the program's history. Denver alsomade itsfirstappearance inthe NCAA Tournament in program history at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.

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