NWAACC CONFERENCE FALL TERM ACADEMIC SCHOLAR: Celeste Sjogren 3.57
WESTERN DIVISION SECOND PLACE
WESTERN DIVISION ALL STARS
Alicia Forest - 1st Team
Rachel Haataja - 1st Team
Laura Compton - 2nd Team
Michelle Magnuson - 2nd Team
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Western Division
Week of Sept 5th
Darline Opsahl-offense
Laura Compton-defense
Week of Sept 19th
Laura Compton-defense
Week of Sept 26th
Rachel Haataja-offense
Week of Oct 10th
Alicia Forest-offense
Week of Oct 17th
Rachel Haataja-offense
NWAACC & Western Player of Week
Week of Oct 30th
Rachel Haataja-offense
1999 SEASON OUTLOOK....
With five returning sophomores and five talented freshmen, Lower Columbia College is hoping to put a strong team on the floor for the 1999 season. The leadership and experience that the sophomores provide should meld nicely with the raw, athletic talent of the incoming freshmen. This group of Lady Red Devils has a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed.
Comprised of 10 outstanding athletes from 9 different high schools, we are looking to improve and grow with every match while making a run at the 1999 NWAACC Championships.
Leading the way is 6'0" sophomore Alicia Forest (Kelso-Cowlitz Volleyball Club), affectionately known by her teammates as Big Al". Al will provide power and aggressiveness in the middle hitter as well as a solid defensive player in the back row. She will be joined in the middle by 6'1" veteran teammate Laura Compton (Clatakanie-Cowlitz Volleyball Club). Compton jumps well and has a quick arm swing, two skills that will definitely be key assets to this year's team.
Celeste Sjogren (Morton-Cowlitz Volleyball Club) will again fill in at the power hitting position and will be joined by returner Tammy Dykstra (Toledo). Sjogren and Dykstra have a lot of power and strength in their approaches, which translates into kills. We are looking forward to having their experience to lead the way.
Rounding out the veteran players is Darline Opsahl (Castle Rock-Cowlitz Volleyball Club). Darline is the lone setter on the team and she has worked very hard in the off season to improve her accuracy and to develop the mental part of the game as a setter. She is doing an outstanding job and leads the team as this year's captain.
The freshmen class brings in an abundance of talent. Michelle Magnuson (White Pass) has proven herself again and again as a quick and dynamic player. A true athlete, she brings strength to the outside hitting position. Rachel Haataja (Naselle), who has a rocket of an arm, joins her. As she learns the collegiate game, she will be a force to deal with.
Casey Daniels (Mark Morris-Cowlitz Volleyball Club) and Allison Mattila (Warrenton, OR) will share the duties at the right side position. Each has demonstrated they have the skills to play in this key position. Blocking, setting and hitting are all required here and Daniels and Matilla can each deliver.
Our final freshman is Cortney Engleson (Naselle) who will fill the ever-important position of defensive specialist. It is new to her, but she has risen to the challenge and continues to get better and better.
Each of these players exhibits an outstanding attitude toward the game and a work ethic needed to be successful this season. This should be an exciting year of competition for us, with formidable competition from throughout the league. Thanks for your continued support.