Concordia Volleyball Adds Six for 2009
PORTLAND, Ore.— Concordia University head volleyball coach Melanie Hambelton announced the addition of six student-athletes to the 2009 recruiting class.
Signing to continue their education and join the Cavalier in 2009 are Sarah Arceneaux (Las Vegas, Nev.); Taryn Baker (Silverdale, Wash.); Kacie DeRosier (Kelso, Wash.); Catherine Lydon (Beaverton, Ore.); Kim Mulka (Bellingham, Wash.) and Grace Zitzer (Dillon, Mont.). In addition, Aria Nojima, a member of the Concordia track and field team, will be joining the volleyball squad in the fall.
“Overall, I think this group will provide us depth in every position,” Hambelton said. “We have a lot of experience and versatility coming in and that will be important for us as the season gets going.”
Taryn Baker (Silverdale, Wash./Central Kitsap H.S./Green River C.C.); will arrive at CU after two stellar seasons at Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash. With Baker as an outside hitter, the Gators improved from 14-20 during her freshman year to a 26-18 campaign as a sophomore which culminated in a first-place finish in the West Region of the NWAACC. Baker was a two-year varsity player for Central Kitsap High School
“Taryn is very gifted athletically. She has a great vertical and will provide a big block for the team,” Hambelton said. “She will make us better offensively because of her ability to attack the ball in every position.”
Mulka (Bellingham, Wash./Skyline H.S./Edmonds C.C.) will be a junior for the Cavs after spending two years at Edmonds Community in Lynnwood, Wash. A 6-foot-3 middle blocker, Mulka was a second-team NWAACC North Region All-Star as a sophomore, helping the Tritons to the NWAACC semifinals and a 38-12 overall record. Mulka was a second-team selection to the All-Tournament team. As a senior at Skyline, Mulka boosted the Spartans to a ninth-place finish in the 2006 Washington State 4A Championships.
“Kim can be a big force in the middle. She will make us better defensively by putting up a big block and will also provide some firepower for us offensively,” Hambelton said. “She is a determined athlete and student who will bring a lot to CU.
Kacie DeRosier (Kelso, Wash./Kelso H.S./Lower Columbia C.C.) will also be a junior on the Concordia roster after spending two seasons with Lower Columbia C.C. in Longview, Wash. DeRosier was a two-time team captain and MVP for the Red Devils. A 2007 graduate from Skyview High School, DeRosier was a four-time MVP for the Hilanders volleyball team as a setter. She was a first-team all-league and all-state pick as a senior after being named a second-team al-league player as a junior.
“Kacie will immediately provide stability to our offense. She is a vocal leader that communicates well with her hitters,” Hambelton said. “Last year we were hampered by the fact that we didn’t have two setters and that affected our practices and even our matches at times. Kacie will give us options to run a 6-2 if we need to put up a bigger block.
A 2009 graduate of Westview High School, Catherine Lydon (Beaverton, Ore./Westview H.S.) is a 5-foot-7 player that can slide into a setter or a defensive specialist role. Lydon was the varsity setter for Westview since her sophomore season. She was named the team MVP as a junior and was named a second-team All-Metro League player. Her senior year was cut short due to a knee injury in the preseason, but was able to come back to play the final four games of the year.
“Lydon is a local kid who has decided to come to CU for the nursing program,” Hambelton said. “She has played a lot of club volleyball and has great experience. She is coming off an injury and we will look to see her bounce back and help our team out in a couple of positions.”
Grace Zitzer (Dillon, Mont./Beaverhead County) was a three-year letterwinner at Beaverhead County High School. After earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore and again as a junior, Zitzer was tabbed as a first-team all-conference and all-state pick as a senior. Zitzer helped guide the Beavers to a divisional championship in 2008 and to the divisional semifinals in 2009. She also lettered in basketball and tennis while at Beaverhead High. Her brother, Dylan, is a member of the Concordia track and field and cross country programs.
“Grace is a player that can come in put up a strong block in any position. Her potential as an athlete at Concordia has just scratched the surface as she has a lot of room to grow with our system.” Hambelton said.
Sarah Arceneaux (Las Vegas, Nev./Rancho H.S.) graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas in 2009 and will be a freshman for the Cavs next season. Arceneaux is a three-year letterwinner for the Rams, helping the team to a Northeast Division championship as a senior where she was named the Northeast Sunrise Division Player of the Year. She has also competed in basketball, soccer and track through the course of her prep career.
“I haven’t been able to see too much of Sarah, but I’m looking forward to seeing what she can contribute to the team and see how far we can take her volleyball development,: Hambelton said. “She has played volleyball for a number of years and we are excited that she has chosen to continue her love for the sport at the collegiate level.”
Aria Nojima (Gresham, Ore./Central Catholic) just finished her sophomore season of track and field at Concordia where she capped her season with a third-place finish in the javelin at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships to grab All-American honors in the event.
“Aria will make the jump over from the track team, but she has played for some great volleyball teams here in Oregon,” Hambelton said. “She’s strong in every position and will provide depth for us on the outside and should have a chance to make a solid impact for us on the outside.”