Oregon Tech Volleyball Inks Five Transfers
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech head volleyball Angela Stewart announced today the addition of five college transfers to the 2009 Owl roster for the upcoming season. The transfers, all competing in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, include Porsha Ellison (Salem, Ore.), Katelyn Louden (Stayton, Ore.), Joey Larsen (Lewiston, Idaho), Mindy Rencher (Idaho Falls, Idaho) and Miranda Weitz (Pullman, WA). A total of 10 new student-athletes have been added to this year’s volleyball recruiting class.
Ellison, a 6-1 middle hitter, helped her Chemeketa Community College team to a remarkable 50-0 record on the season and the 2008 NWAACC volleyball championship. Coached by National Coach of the Year, Terry McLaughlin, Ellison was a 1st team all-NWAACC tournament player for the Storm in 2008.
“Porsha will bring a powerful presence in the middle, both offensively and defensively.” said Coach Stewart. “Blocking comes natural and her fast arm swing that will allow her to be an offensive threat for us. Porsha is a great athlete, accustomed to winning and I am excited she will be joining our program.”
Porsha is the daughter of Clark and Brenda Ellison and will major in Health Sciences at OIT this fall.
Louden, a 5-10 outside/middle hitter, competed at Stayton High School and Linn-Benton Community College. In 2008, Louden received NWAACC honorable mention honors for the Roadrunners and was picked to the sophomore all-stars team for the Oregon West.
“Katelyn transfers from a great volleyball program and delivers a powerful hit, is very athletic and jumps extremely well.” remarked Stewart. “I am excited she has chosen to continue her education and volleyball career at Oregon Tech.”
Katelyn is the daughter Tracy and Julie Louden and will major in Medical Imaging in the fall.
Larsen, a 5-8 outside hitter and DS, competed at Columbia Basin Community College in Spokane, WA., where she picked up a 1st team all-NWACC award in 2008 and 2nd team honors in 2007. Larsen was selected to the NWACC All-Star Team and was also part of the NWAACC Sophomore Academic Team.
At Lewiston High School, Larsen was a 2006 1st Team All Inland Empire League selection, awarded the offensive and defensive Player of the Year award and selected team MVP.
“Joey is an explosive all-around player who is exciting to watch.” exclaimed Stewart. “She plays smart and aggressive volleyball, and will be a great fit for Oregon Tech. Joey is everything that we want in a player.”
Joey is the daughter of Bill and Shelly Larson and will major in Medical Imaging at Oregon Tech this fall.
Rencher, an all-conference player at Idaho Falls High School, helped lead her team to three-straight volleyball state championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006. At Edmonds Community College, the 5-11 outside hitter was named to the 2008 NWACC All Tournament team, the 2008 1st team NWACC North Division, the Sophomore All Star team and the NWAACC Academic team.
“I am pleased Mindy chose Oregon Tech to finish out her education and contribute to our volleyball program.” said Stewart. ”She offers our program exceptional all-around talent and will definitely make us a better team.”
Mindy is the daughter of Mark and Karen Rencher and will major in Dental Hygiene at OIT this fall.
Weitz, of Pullman High School, earned the team MVP award and was a 1st team all-league selection. After leading her volleyball team to a state championship, Weitz was selected to the 2nd team all-state squad her senior year at PHS. At Columbia Basin Community College, the 5-11 middle hitter was a 1st team East Region NWAACC selection, helping her team to the section titles in both 2006 and 2007. Weitz ranks no. 4 at CBCC with a .418% hitting percentage. Weitz was also named to the NWAACC All Tournament team and the NWAACC Academic team.
“Miranda is a strong middle hitter and blocker who passes well and will make great decisions at the net” said Stewart. “Miranda is both efficient and powerful, and will do a great job on and off the court. I am excited to have the opportunity to coach her.”
Miranda is the daughter of David and Kerri Weitz and will major in Health Science at Oregon Tech this fall.