Corban's women's volleyball program has added seven new players for next season that will join a group of six returning Warriors.
Quartet Added to Corban's '09 Recruiting Class
SALEM, Ore. – Third-year head coach Heather Dunn announced earlier today the signings of four more players for the 2009 season, as the quartet includes Karisa Calderon (Murrieta, Calif.) from Vista Murrieta High School, Chandra Baskoro (Gresham, Ore.) from Gresham High School, Katelyn Davis (Salem, Ore.) from nearby West Salem High School, and Noel Griggs (Athena, Ore.) from Weston-McEwen High School.
Calderon, a 5-foot-10 setter from Southern California, was named team captain prior to her senior season where she earned 2nd team All-Southwestern League honors as well as honorable mention all-valley accolades. As a junior, Calderon was named female Athlete of the Year for the entire 11th grade class while also earning Vista Murrieta’s 3-sport athlete award in back-to-back years as a sophomore and junior. Calderon helped lead Vista Murrieta to back-to-back Southwestern League championships as a junior and sophomore, while helping the Broncos to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA state tournament. During her sophomore season, Calderon was named as the Athlete of the Month in November. Thanks to her work in the classroom, Calderon was a three-time Southwestern League All-Scholastic team member as well as earning CIF academic team honors.
“Karisa will step in and be an impact player right away,” commented Dunn. “With her height and her athletic ability, she will do a great job for us.”
Baskoro, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter and defensive specialist, helped lead the Gophers to a 21-8 win-loss record as a senior. Baskoro also helped guide Gresham to the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament, as the Gophers lost to eventual state runner-up West Linn in three sets. As a senior, Baskoro was named team Most Valuable Player as well as earning 1st team All-Mt. Hood Conference honors. As a junior, Baskoro helped guide Gresham to another quarterfinal appearance after the Gophers won the 6A state title during her sophomore campaign.
“Chandra is a very talented all-around player,” said Dunn. “I love having a player like Chandra that I know I can use in any position. Chandra will have great impact physically and in leadership roles on a young team.”
Davis, a 6-foot middle blocker, was named honorable mention All-Central Valley Conference as a senior to go along with a pair of Most Inspirational team awards as a junior and senior at West Salem. As a sophomore, Davis helped lead the Titans to an undefeated CVC record and a quarterfinal appearance in the 6A state tournament, as West Salem fell to future Warrior teammate Baskoro and eventual state champions Gresham.
“I am looking forward to having Katelyn as part of our program,” stated Dunn. “Her height will be a huge asset to our program no matter where she plays.”
Griggs, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, helped lead the TigerScots to a quarterfinal appearance in the 2A state tournament as a senior where Weston-McEwen fell to eventual state champions Blanchet Catholic. As a junior, Griggs helped lead Weston-McEwen to a runner-up finish at the state tournament while earning 2nd team all-tournament honors and was named Player of the Game for the championship match. Griggs earned back-to-back 1st team All-Blue Mountain Conference honors, 1st team East Oregonian small school team honors, and 2nd team all-state honors following the conclusion of her junior and senior seasons.
“Noel brings all-around playing experience – front and back row – and gives me the ability to use her in any position,” noted Dunn. “She brings a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to the program.”
The aforementioned quartet joins fellow Class of 2013 members Jenny Harman (Salem, Ore.), McKenzie Purnell (Adrian, Ore.), and Morgan Hirzel (Fullerton, Calif.), who were all announced in an earlier press release two weeks ago.
Corban is coming off its best season since 2004, as the Warriors finished 12-14 overall and 10-10 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Dunn helped guide the Warriors to their first playoff appearance since the '04 season, as Corban secured the sixth seed in the conference post-season tournament.
The 2009 season is slated to begin in Southern California, as part of the annual Azusa Pacific University Classic scheduled for mid-August.