The Westmont Volleyball roster will be expanding as the Warriors bring in six freshman recruits for this fall. The new inductees are Jessica McCann of Lemoore, Miranda Beach of Encinitas, Sarah McGough of Stevenson Ranch, Kami Troesh of Newport Beach, Katie Napier of Rancho Santa Margarita and Alexa Nestlerode of Thousand Oaks.
Three of the six are setters. Beach (5-7), who played for Canyon Crest Academy High School and the Encinitas Wave club team, was an All-CIF San Diego Division II selection. After finishing second in the CIF-San Diego Division II Championship, Beach’s high school team reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-State Championship.
“Miranda is a talented setter with very nice hands and good defense,” said Westmont head coach Patti Cook. “She has a good volleyball IQ and will be able to adapt quickly to the fast-paced offense we like to run. I am thrilled to have Miranda join the team and I look forward to watching her develop over the next four years.”
Nestlerode (5-8) played for Oaks Christian High School where she was a three-year varsity starter. She was a 2012 All Tri-Valley League first team selection and named to the 2012 Ventura County Star All-County Team. She was also named to the 2012 Los Angeles Daily News second team. Nestlerode also played for Pointwest Volleyball Club.
“Alexa hails from a competitive high school program with rigorous academics,” said Cook, “which is a perfect lead into Westmont. She makes the game look easy with her poised movements on the court and she sets a very hittable ball. Alexa adds to the depth of our setting and is a welcome addition to the team.”
Hailing from Fairmont Preparatory Academy, Napier (5-8) was named to the All-CIF Southern Section and All-San Joaquin League first teams. The team MVP and “Best Offensive Player” was also honored as a scholar-athlete. Napier played club ball for the Mission Viejo Volleyball Club.
“Katie can be described as a go-getter; a player who is fiercely competitive with a calm exterior,” said Cook. “Katie has the ability to play as a setter or as a defensive specialist, but no matter what she is doing, she wants to do her best. I anticipate a high ceiling for Katie over the next four years.”
Troesh (5-6) will be coming in as a libero and defensive specialist for the Warriors. The Riverside Poly graduate is a two-time All-Inland Valley League first team selection. Playing for the Mavericks, Troesh earned a silver medal in 2010 at the junior Olympics.
“Kami is a great addition to our back row for the coming season,” said Cook. “She anticipates where the ball is going to be hit and finds herself in the right location more often than not. Kami is used to playing at a high level and the solid coaching she has received up to this point comes through in her play.”
McGough (5-11) will add to the Warriors’ firepower with the ability to play either at the outside or right side hitter positions.
“Sarah is a well-rounded pin hitter and has the ability to play back row as well,” said Cook. “She plays very controlled volleyball and keeps a level head in pressure-filled situations. However, she can also unload on a set with a strong attack. Off the court, Sarah has excelled in the classroom and has shown that she has what it takes to succeed in a challenging academic environment.
McGough played for West Ranch High School where she was a two-time All-Foothill League first team selection and was twice selected to the All-Santa Clarita Valley team. McGough played club volleyball for Legacy, the 2012 Phoenix Festival 17’s champions.
McCann (5-9) is also expected to provide offensive attack from her outside hitter position.
“Jessica will provide depth in the outside hitting position as she is a high-jumping offensive force,” noted Cook. “As her back row skills develop further, I can see her becoming a six-rotation player for our squad. Besides her athleticism, Jessica comes from a solid Christian family and is looking to grow deeper in her faith at Westmont.”
A two-time All-West Yosemite League first team selection, McCann was also named the 2011 League MVP. As a member of the Pacific Premier Volleyball Academy, McCann served as team captain each year from freshman through senior.
Westmont will start the 2013 season on Tuesday, August 20 when the Warriors host the panthers of Davenport (Mich.) in a four o’clock game. Last season, the Warriors posted a record of 25-10 and ended the year with a number 16 NAIA national ranking. Westmont is looking to make a return trip to Sioux City, Iowa for the NAIA National Tournament in 2013.
