Westmont Volleyball Head Coach Jim Smoot and Assistant Coach Patti Cook have announced the signing of ten additional recruits for the fall 2010 season. Combined with the signing of Tessa Martin and Marie Trudelle announced last month, today’s announcement makes a total of 12 new faces on the Warrior squad.
Laguna Blanca graduate Heidi van den Oever will be playing for Westmont next season.
After graduating six players this past season, only four veterans from the 2009 team return this fall. Senior outside hitter Alison Sharp will serve as team captain. Sophomores Kristin Schroeder (opposite) and Candace Adema (setter) will mark their second season on the Warrior roster. Junior libero Stacey Braceros’ will also return to the team but her availability is questionable due to a torn ACL.
Sophomore outside hitter Stephany Newland joins the Warriors after playing for Notre Dame de Namur last season. As a freshman, the 5-10 Newland saw action in 18 matches.
Newland, a resident of Escondido, is an alumna of Orange Glen High School where she was twice named team MVP and team captain. As a senior she earned second team all-league honors. She was also a member of the San Diego Volleyball Club.
“Stephany is a fine all-around player who will strengthen our outside attack,” said Smoot. “She gained valuable experience last season while playing for Notre Dame de Namur. With the large number of freshmen on the squad, her experience will prove valuable.”
After serving a year as scorekeeper for Westmont Volleyball, sophomore Kelli Chang will join the Warrior roster this fall. The 5-5 defensive specialist played for ‘Iolani School in Honolulu as well as the Impact volleyball club.
“Kelli is an excellent passer and defensive player who will join the team as a red-shirt freshman,” noted Smoot. “She impressed me during our spring training with her ball control skill and court demeanor. She will give us needed depth in the defensive position.”
Local product Heidi van den Oever comes to Westmont after playing for Laguna Blanca and the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club where she served as both an outside hitter and a middle blocker. Laguna Blanca, and the 5-11 van den Oever, were Condor League champions during all four of her seasons with the team; twice reaching the CIF Southern Section finals.
“Heidi can play on the outside but also has experience in the middle,” said Cook. “She has a powerful jump and quick arm swing. We are excited to have this local Santa Barbara athlete join our team.”
Also joining the squad is Kayta Goyich from Rancho Cucamonga. The 5-11, outside hitter played for Los Osos High School where she was a three-year letterman. She has also played for the Rancho Valley Volleyball Club for the past nine years. As a senior, Goyich served as the Los Osos team captain and was named the team MVP. She was also named the MVP of the Grizzly Classic Invitational.
“Kayta is a versatile front row player who also offers a solid passing platform in the back row,” said Cook. “We are excited to have someone with her mental steadiness join the team.”
Valhalla High Schools’ Nichole Miller will make her way to Santa Barbara to play for the Warriors. The 5-11 outside/opposite side hitter has twice been named to the all-league team and is a two-time recipient of the Norse Award for “superior athleticism, academic excellence, outstanding leadership and sportsmanship.”
“Nichole joins the team as a right side option who puts up a good block,” said Cook. “She is a selfless individual both on and off the court, and will provide the Westmont community with an excellent example of servant leadership.”
Miller was recognized by the CIF San Diego Section as the Citizen Athlete of the Week (April 1, 2010) for raising about $20,000 for the El Nido Transitional Living Program. For her efforts in serving others, she was also selected as a semifinalist for a 2010 Huggable Hero Award from Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Outside hitter and defensive specialist Chelsea Dornseif comes to Westmont from Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Her high school team was state runner-up during her senior year and finished fourth in her junior season. She also played for Club 5280 in Denver.
“Chelsea will add to our back row,” said Cook. “She is a talented passer and defender and can also serve as a backup outside hitter.”
Also from Colorado is 5-10 middle blocker/opposite side hitter Hannah Jacobson from Colorado Springs. Jacobson was a four-year varsity starter for The Colorado Springs School and received all-conference honors as a senior. Team MVP in 2009, Jacobson served as the team captain. She also played for the Colorado Juniors, Stellar Volleyball Club and Pikes Peak Volleyball Club.
“Hannah will add to the team as a spirited and positive right side player,” said Cook. “She puts up a quick block and has a snappy arm.”
Molly Armstrong, a 5-11 outside hitter/middle blocker, played for Bakersfield Christian High School and the Bakersfield Volleyball Club. The three-year varsity player helped her team earn two league championships and a valley championship in 2008. Armstrong was named to both the all-league and all-area teams.
“Molly joins the team as an outside hitter,” said Cook. “She is a great jumper and her ability to hit the ball from a high location will be an asset to our offense.”
Joining the team from Claremont High School is 6-1 middle blocker Alexandria Wilson. Wilson, who also played for the Pacific Juniors and Top Gun Volleyball Clubs, was a four-year all-league selection.
“Alexandria is a powerful middle blocker and attacker,” said Cook. “She is extremely strong and will frustrate opponent’s hitters with her formidable block.”
A graduate of Rancho Cucamonga High School who now lives in Crownpoint, Indiana, Ciara Turner will add to the Warriors’ offensive firepower. The 5-11 middle blocker, who helped her team win a league championship, was named the Baseline League outstanding senior. Turner also played for Club West la Verne.
“Ciara is a very athletic middle who can move laterally to the block with great speed,” said Cook. “She can also hit a quick set from a high location with an explosive vertical.”
