SAN FRANCISCO – Heading into its 2016 campaign, Academy of Art University volleyball and head coach Ray Batalon have officially announced four new additions to the squad including Lilika Teu (East Palo Alto, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep), Ema Causevic (Zagreb, Croatia/Saint Leo), Jennifer Argelander (La Verne, Calif./Bonita HS), and Talia Thompson (Laie, Hawaii/Northridge HS).

"We feel very good with this group complementing our returners," said Batalon. "They are a knowledgeable group of players who have played at high levels. They will certainly provide great depth to our team and we look forward to seeing their development both on and off the court during their time here with us."

Teu, a 5-4 setter, brings the all-around skill of a two-sport athlete, having competed in both volleyball and basketball at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton. She led the team in assists per set as a senior and the Gators won no less than 18 matches each of her three years on varsity. First Team All-League, Teu also devoted five years to her club team, Encore, in Redwood City. She enters ART U's School of Fashion this fall.

"We were very fortunate that she chose to come to our school," said Batalon. "Lilika is a talented athlete who we feel is a great fit for our program, both academically and athletically. As a setter, she has quick feet, strong hands, and a great touch."

Causevic, a 6-2 outside hitter/right side, redshirted with Division II Saint Leo in 2015 after graduating Istituto Superiore Leardi. In Italy, she trained with the Italian Junior National Team, won two state titles for Ravenna then captured the U18 state title with Alessandria in 2013. Causevic comes from a volleyball family as the daughter of two professional players. Her father, Nurko, was an opposite side hitter for the Yugoslavian National Team while her mother, Jozica, played professionally in Yugoslavia and Italy as an outside hitter. Causevic continues her work in the Academy of Art School of Graphic Design this fall.

"Ema possesses a keen sense for the game," said Batalon. "She has been exposed to high levels of play and she is very knowledgeable. She'll definitely add some depth to our outside hitting position."

Argelander, a 5-11 middle blocker, spent two years on varsity at Bonita High School. A scholar-athlete both seasons and team captain as well, she helped the Bearcats reach the second round of the CIF Southern Section Girls Volleyball Tournament most recently in 2015. Averaging just under a block per set in her two years as an upperclassman, Argelander also spent time with her two club teams, Top Gun and Forza1.Her freshman season will see her studying Fashion Styling in ART U's School of Fashion this fall.

"Jen played on a club team that uses a very similar system to ours," said Batalon. "She played for a competitive club team in Southern California with a group of talented players as a middle blocker. Having that experience has elevated her game, particularly with her blocking and we anticipate she will adjust very quickly to our style of play."

Thompson, a 5-10 outside hitter, was a four-year honor student at Northridge High School in Layton, Utah. She was part of the All-Region and All-Area Team as well as a two-time team captain (2014 & 2015). She averaged 3.1 kills per set as a junior and contributed to a 75-24 combined record across three years on varsity. Thompson, who also devoted time to her High Country Volleyball Club, will pursue her goal of becoming an analyst for ESPN in the Academy of Art School of Multimedia Communications.

"Talia also played on a club team who uses a very similar system to ours," said Batalon. "We anticipate having her play the outside hitter position. She has a good arm and jump that will fit well with our offensive system philosophy."

These four recruits will don the ART U black and red this fall with the program moving into its ninth year of competition.