LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE SIGNS TOP RECRUITS FOR 2006
Jocelyn Price, Head Volleyball Coach, has announced the signing of seven of the areas top High School Volleyball players. Sammie Stephenson, Amanda Harris, Traci Goodin, Vanessa Ramsey, Stefanie Steadman, Holly Bauer, and Kinzie Rustvold. “ They are all impact players who can come in and play right away”
Sammie Stephenson, 5’10”, Setter, Ridgefield, WA (Ridgefield HS)
Sammie was an all league setter her junior and senior years, along with a first team all region outside hitter her senior year at Ridgefield High. Kara Monahan, her high school coach, had great things to say about her setting. Sammie will have the majority of the setting duties this year. We believe that she can run our offense as well as put up a great block.
“We’ve never had such a talented setter that also had good height. We’re excited to have her at LCC. Our defensive players will have a much easier time playing defense behind a bigger block.”
“The main reason I chose to play at LCC is because I heard they had such a strong and great volleyball program. Everyone I have ever talked to only had good things to say about the coaches, and once I met them I realized how excited I was to start the season with them. I also chose LCC because it is only 30 minutes away from home.”
Amanda Harris, 5’11”, Middle Hitter, Toutle, WA ( Toutle Lake H.S.)
Amanda was the Captain of her volleyball team 2 years, a 4 year starter on Varsity, 4 years All Academic All League, Co-MVP Central B League, and 2nd Team All-State Tournament Team. Amanda also played basketball for 3 years and track for 2 years at Toutle Lake. Don Merzoian, her high school coach, awarded Amanda with the Varsity Coaches Award her senior year. She has also played club volleyball with the Cowlitz Volleyball Club.
“Amanda will bring the much needed height and experience to this years team. She’s a middle who plays the net well both offensively and defensively. She has a great attitude and an outstanding work ethic. She is recovering from knee surgery and has been back on the court with all the drive and desire needed to be a collegiate player. She will make a big difference in what system we run this year”.
Why did you choose LCC? “First, it was because from my research their nursing program is one of the top schools in the state. Second, was because I wanted to belong to their volleyball program. I felt they have a strong reputation for having a winning history, and I wanted to be part of continuing this tradition. I also have played for Jaws and Bill in the Cowlitz Volleyball Club. I think I can continue to learn and play at the next level with their coaching”.
Traci Goodin, 6’0”, MH/OH, Menlo, WA (Willapa Valley H.S.)
Traci has been on the varsity volleyball team for four years and was the captain her senior year. She has been team MVP for two years, and she was named to the 1st team all-league for three years. She also has a 3.937 cumulative GPA and has been a member of the National Honor Society for four years. She is currently the National Honor Society President, and the Senior Class Vice President. She also has participated in varsity basketball for three years and track for three years. She placed 5th in the javelin at state, and 4th and 7th place in the high jump. She also has been named to the first team all-league in basketball this year, and was chosen captain and the team MVP.
“Traci is an athlete that we first encountered when her high school coach, Nancy Morris, brought her team to LCC one summer for a team camp. Traci works hard at the middle hitter position and puts up a pretty good block. She will probably play on the outside for us this year, but time and practice will give the coaching staff a better idea of where Traci will help us the most. Traci always seem to have a smile on her face and is willing to learn. We’re looking forward to watching her grow into an outstanding volleyball player.”
“I chose to attend LCC because I have heard great things about the school, community and the athletic programs. I believe that LCC is one of the top NWAACC teams in volleyball, and I think they have the best coaches in the league. I know I will learn great things from the school and the coaches. I believe that the coaches are very talented and fun to work with.”
Vanessa Ramsey, 6’2”, Middle Hitter, Morton, WA ( Morton H.S.)
Vanessa is an outstanding three-sport athlete who played volleyball for Steve Hansen at Morton High School. Vanessa was voted 1st team all league her junior and senior years in the tough Central B League. Vanessa was the Sports Writers 2nd team all-state, Co-MVP of Central B League, Co-MVP of all Area Team (17 high schools), and MVP of Centralia College’s high school All-Star Game. Vanessa has a 3.5 gpa and plans on getting a degree in Physical Education.
“Vanessa stands 6’2” tall, jumps well and hits the heck out of the ball! She will be a force to reckon with at the net. We had the opportunity to watch her play several times this year and were very impressed with her ability as well as the potential we saw for even greater things.”
Stefanie Steadman, 5’10”, Outside Hitter, Montesano, WA (MHS)
Stefanie played varsity volleyball four years for Debbie Gibson at Montesano High School. She won team MVP honors her junior and senior years and was named the MVP of her league her senior season. Stefanie was also captain of her basketball team and the shortstop on her 2005 State Championship Softball Team.
“Stephanie is a great all-round player that will most likely play outside hitter for us this season. She hails from Montesano High School that has a great coaching staff. We know that Stefanie has the solid fundamental skills need to play college volleyball. She has good feel for the game and with experience under her belt, she will become quite a student of the game. She has a powerful arm-swing and great defensive skills that will be a valued asset in the defensive system that we run.”
“I chose LCC because I had heard so many good things about the volleyball program. When I met the coaches they made me feel like I was already a part of the team and they made me feel comfortable. LCC has a lot of classes that caught my interest. So by having such a good volleyball program, good coaches and good classes make this college a great fit for me. I feel that I will excel in this environment and this school.”
Holly Bauer, 5’3”, DS/Libero Longview, WA (Mark Morris HS)
Holly was captain of her volleyball team, coached by Lisa Verge, at Mark Morris. Holly was voted Most Inspirational her senior year and had Most Aces for three years. She was also involved in Student Government, Symphonic Choir, yearbook editor and captain of the track team.
“Holly comes to us from across the parking lot at Mark Morris. A defensive specialist, she has a powerful and effective serve and her defense is coming along. She’s a hard worker and has already shown the commitment and dedication needed to play for the Lady Red Devil Volleyball Team.”
“I chose LCC for many reasons. I heard the professors are very good. I wanted to be closer to home to start out as a college student. I also wanted to go to a college that was well know for achieving championship after championship with their sports programs. I also wanted to play for the Lady Red Devils because I heard that the coaching staff amazing and they have always had an outstanding volleyball team. I want to be a part of that!!!”
Kinzie Rustvold, 5’10”, OH, Ridgefield, WA (Ridgefield HS)
Kinzie has been playing volleyball for eight years and is an outside hitter. She played for the Cowlitz Volleyball Club her senior year. Kinzie, who played for Kara Monahan at Ridgefield High School, lead her team in aces, kills and serves.
“We are looking forward to getting Kinzie in our gym. She played middle hitter on her club team and will probably be at the on hand position for us.”
“I chose LCC because they were the first ones to approach me. I really like Jaws and Bill and their attitudes towards volleyball. Their program seems to be the one I’ve been looking for. I look forward to playing next season.”
2005 LADY DEVILS LOOKING TO REPEAT AS WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONS
With only two returning sophomores and eight new freshman, Lower Columbia College Volleyball will be putting a talentedc but inexperienced team on the floor for the 2005 season. The sophomore leadership should meld well with the raw, athletic talent of the newcomers. This team has a strong work ethic and a desire to suceed.
With 10 athletes from eight different high schools, the Lady Devils are looking forward to defending the Western Division title, where the 2004 squad went undefeated in division play.
Running the offense this season will be returning setter Kayli Anderson, the 2004 Western Division MVP. Kayli has great hands and the ability to locate the ball very well. Mixing up her sets, she makes each hitter on the team that much more effective. We are looking forward to running a high-powered, quick offense with Kayli running the show. She is one of the top players in the NWAACC.
Returning outside hitter Whitney Luchau has the ability to place the ball on the court with finesse and power. Her "shots" make her a threat on the outside because opponents often misjudge the placement. Whitney is a leader in her play, her attitude and her work ethic. She will be relied upon heavily this season.
Magen Drabandt (Mark Morris) and Rene Steinweg (Jewell) will man the middle. Neither come to the program blessed with great height, but both have great "hops". Thier experience in the middle is limited, but they will be effective at the net as they get college playing time.
Providing the roof as our right side blocker will be lefty Sarah Womack (Kelso). She puts up a great wall and she has the ability to put the ball away also. Her arm swing is getting more powerful each day but it's her ability to put up a wall that is a great asset for the Lady Devils.
Defense is going to be the name of the game this season. Rachael Rahn (Castle Rock) will provide major "D" in the back row as the Libero. She will share duties with teammate Mandee Versteeg (Petersburg AK). Both Rachael and Mandee have great instincts and are doing an excellent job of learning to read hitters in order to make a better dig.
Riki Creger-Zier (Steilacoom) and Savannah White (Clatskanie) will see duties on the right and left sides of the court. Riki is an outstanding candidate to play the right side in that she is also a setter and is used to playing that defensive position. She is quick and athletic and brings a faster pace to our defensive game. Savannah will see the left side as her defensive specialty. She has good passing platform and continues to improve her game.
Courtney Fritsch (Mark Morris) rounds out the team as one of our outside hitters. She returns after two years away from volleyball, but everything has come back to her nicely. She is battling back from a shoulder injury, but she will get back to top hitting power.
Each of these players exhibit an outstanding attitude toward the game and the work ethic needed to be sucessful this season. This should be a fun-filled year of competition. The goal, as always, is to win the West and take our chances at the NWAACC Tournament.