OLYMPIA, Wash. - The 2009 Vollyball Team has one week before they open up their season as they host Walla Walla University on August 24th at The Evergreen State College. Combining a strong group of returners and talented incoming additions to the roster, Head Coach Clay Blackwood (3rd year) believes the team will have a strong upcoming season.
Blackwood added three very strong players to the team in June and July when Irene Takehashi-Coker (Jr. Hayward, Calif.), Sarah Gleaves (Fr. Olympia, WA) and Kaylani Evans (Jr. Kennewick, WA) signed their Letters of Intent.
Takehashi-Coker will attend Evergreen following two years of play at Chabot Community College where she was team captain for the squad. The 5-3 Libero will be a great addition to the team and bring strong defensive leadership.
Following the footsteps of her sister Kandice, Sarah Gleaves will standout as a freshman newcomer for the team. A graduate of North Thurston High School in Olympia, the 5-10 player is versatile and will be able to play in a variety of positions on the court. A dual athlete that also excelled in Track and Field, Gleaves plans to study graphic arts while at Evergreen.
A transfer from Wenatchee Valley College, Kaylani Evans attended Kennewick High School where she lettered two years. At Wenatchee she excelled in her sport, earning a place on the NWAACC All-Academic and All-NWAACC Tournament Teams. The 5-8 outside hitter and defensive specialist earned her AA degree and plans to work towards a career in communications or journalism.
Evans will be playing with her former Kennewick teammate Meghan De La Rosa on this years team.
Standouts returning for the Geoducks are Hailey Harris, LeAsia Jones, Chantal Petkus and Caitlin Swift. Harris sat out much of the early 2008 season following a concusion which happened in a game while the height and talent of Swift was never seen by most as she sat out the '08 season due to an injury. Jones and Petkus are veteran players that will help provide leadership and stability to the team.
Monday's game versus Walla Walla will be held at 7:00 PM in the Green House and two nights later at the same place and time the Geoducks will host Hope International.
-ESC-