Week of Sept 1st
Jennifer Bennett - Defense
Western Division
Week of Sept 10th
Michelle Magnuson - Offense
Western Division & NWAACC Offensive Player of Week
Week of Oct 1st
Rachel Haataja - Offense
Western Division
Week of Oct 16th
Elayna Campbell - Offense
Western Division
Week of Oct 29th
Rachel Haataja - Offense
Western Division & NWAACC Offensive Play of Week
Cortney Engelson - Defense
Western Division
Southwestern Oregon Cross-Over All Tournament: Rachel Haataja
2000 SEASON OUTLOOK
With only three returning sophomores and six new freshmen, Lower Columbia College is hoping to put a competitive team on the floor for the 2000 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 nine outstanding athletes from eight different high schools, we are looking to improve and grow with every match while making a run at the 2000 NWAACC Championships.
Leading the way are 5'9" sophomore, Michelle Magnuson (White Pass) and 5'9" sophomore Rachel Haataja (Naselle). Both Michelle and Rachel will provide the offense in the power hitting position. Michelle has a fantastic vertical jump and a very quick arm swing which has proven itself many times over. Rachel also has a rocket of an arm and is an outstanding athlete with some great defensive efforts as well.
Cortney Engelson (Naselle) will be the veteran returner in the defensive specialist position, with some added extra duties. Cortney will be asked to fill in at the right side position this year. She has been creating offense and working hard on defense to defend this position. Her leadership will be looked to often this year by our young freshmen.
The freshman class brings in some raw talent and with some very promising results. Elayna Campbell (Castle Rock-Cowlitz Volleyball Club) will provide offense in a variety of ways. She will be called upon to set out of the back row and hit on the right side in the front row. She has great hands and the ability to hit line. She has a wicked floater serve that score many aces. We will be looking for great things from her this year.
Elayna will be joined in the setting duties by the recent addition of Sarah Yohe (RA Long). Sarah is a hard worker and continues to improve everyday. She is like a sponge as she soaks up all the information given to her in order to better perform at the collegiate level. She will give Elayna the much needed break from setting and also allow her to be a hitter.
Jennifer Bennett and Tara Wuerth (Mark Morris) join us from their high school campus next door. Jennifer is our lone defensive specialist and is doing an outstanding job. She has the intelligence to play at this level and the athletic ability to go with it. Tara will also add to our defensive game both as a defensive specialist and as a right side player. Tara has a great jump and touches many balls on the block. Although short in stature, She can get up there and play with the best of them.
Rounding out our freshman group are our two rookie middle hitters, Katie Delaney (Port Townsend) and Heidi Lorenzen (Dayton). Both players are inexperienced at this position but are quickly becoming the solid powerhouses we need from them. As they work with connecting with our setters, they will be even better offensively. They both are very quick at the net and provide a great block in both the middle and the outsides. Look for them to offer more and more as the season progresses.
Each of these players exhibit and outstanding attitude toward the game and work ethic needed to be successful this season. This should be a fun-filled and exciting year of competition for us, with formidable competition from throughout the league. Thanks for your continued support.