With only two returning sophomores and nine new freshmen, Lower Columbia College is hoping to put a competitive team on the floor for the 2001 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 eleven outstanding athletes from six different high schools, we are looking to improve and grow with every match while making a run at the 2001 NWAACC Championships.
Providing the leadership and experience needed are sophomores Jennifer Bennett (Mark Morris) and Tara Wuerth (Mark Morris). Being the “little” people on our team this year, they will be looked to provide the defense for this year’s team. Jennifer will be the veteran returner in the defensive specialist position and will get some assistance from returner Tara Wuerth. Tara will also be called upon for some extra-added duties this year as a right side player. Their leadership will be looked to often this year by our young freshmen.
Our freshmen class brings in a variety of raw talent with some very promising results. Haley Harrigan-Rottle (White River) will be called upon to do the majority of the setting this year. She has great hands and the ability to locate the ball very well. We will be looking for great things from her this year. Haley will be joined by former high school teammate Lina Peloli (white River). Lina will provide the offense in the power hitting position. Lina has a great vertical jump and hits a very heavy ball. We will be looking to her to put the ball away for many kills throughout the season.
Another powerful outside hitter Lisa Lovingfoss (Kelso) joins this year’s team from a very successful Kelso program. Lisa hits high and strong and will offer a lot to the offensive part of our game. She is joined by teammate Raven Northrup (Kelso), who will provide the offense and defense of the middle blocker. Raven has developed her game at the net this past off-season and is quickly becoming a solid powerhouse out of the middle.
Natasha Dunlap (RA Long) will also be called upon to work in the middle blocker position. A high school veteran in this position, she comes to us with some good experience and great athletic ability. She has a great vertical jump and very quick feet. She is not terribly tall for this position, but her speed and leaping ability make up for any height deficit. She will also be joined by high school teammate Katey Carpenter (RA Long). Katey may be asked to do many things for this year’s team, depending on our needs. Her strength, however, is at the right side. She puts up a great wall with her block and has the ability to put it away on that side as well. Her arm swing is strong and quick.
Melissa Magnuson (White Pass) will be bringing with her some great athletic ability in the outside hitting position. She has solid fundamentals and will provide that much needed kill at the outside.
Our newest player, Erin Anfinson, joins us from Walla Walla. She is a solid player with good techniques in both hitting and passing. A great athlete, with a good work ethic, she will be looked at to fill in at any position, but her strength is at the right side. As the season progresses, her role will be better defined, but for now, we’ll see what best meets our needs for the team, but we know we can count her in any position.
With the addition of Setter/Right Side Hitter, Allison Tennant (Mark Morris), our team is complete. A local kid, she is transferring back home from Spokane Falls. Allison brings leadership and experience to the team, in that she has played on the hardwoods, in the grass and most recently, in the sand. She has a good head on her shoulders that enables here to run the offense and has great ball control. She is truly a welcome addition to our 2001 team.
Each of these players exhibit an outstanding attitude toward the game and the 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.