Corban's head women's volleyball coach Tracy Smith added six new players to her roster for the 2012 season, which is her first at the helm of the Warriors since 2006.
Corban's Smith Announces First Recruits Since Return to Coaching
SALEM, Ore. – After a six-year hiatus away from coaching, head coach Tracy Smith announced her first recruiting class since returning to the helm of the Warriors' volleyball program Wednesday with the addition of five new players and one returner that took a year off to focus on other on-campus duties.
The 2012 recruits include senior Karisa Legg (Murrieta, Calif.), freshman Hannah Flores (Aumsville, Ore.), freshman Kiersten Hilt (Wendell, Idaho), freshman Caitlin Marinos (Three Rivers, Calif.), freshman Kendra Staymates (Selah, Wash.), and freshman Kelsey Wright (Beaverton, Ore.).
"I'm excited about the volleyball experience and enthusiasm our incoming class of student-athletes will bring to the program," said Smith.
Legg, a 5-foot-10 setter, returns to the court after a one-year layoff that allowed her to focus her attention as a Resident Assistant at Corban. As a freshman and sophomore, Legg combined to register 78 kills, 788 assists, 11 service aces, 197 digs, and 64 blocks (2 solo, 62 assist) in 162 sets.
"We are so excited to have Karisa joining the team after taking a year off to be a Resident Assistant," said Smith. "Her strong work ethic and Christ centered attitude will be key in the leadership of the team."
Flores, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter/defensive specialist, will don the navy and gold for the first time after spending a year as a student at Corban in 2011. A three-sport athlete at nearby Salem Academy High School, Flores played three years for the Crusaders earning all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior. During her junior year, Flores helped lead Salem Academy to a runner-up finish in the 2A state tournament and also earned 2nd team all-state honors.
"Hannah's athleticism and competitiveness will be a bright addition to our program," commented Smith. "She'll add versatility to our roster."
Hilt, a 5-foot-6 libero, comes to Corban from Wendall High School in Idaho. A four-sport athlete for the Trojans, Hilt was a three-time All-Canyon League honoree as a sophomore, junior, and senior.
"Kiersten will bring stability to our defense," said Smith. "She has great court awareness, solid skills and high energy to contribute early."
Marinos, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, arrives at Corban after playing four years at Exeter Union High School in Central California. During her senior season, Marinos registered 335 kills, 187 digs, 24 service aces, and 22 blocks in helping lead the Monarchs to a 22-7 win-loss record that included a second place finish in the Central Sequoia League standings. Marinos was named team Most Valuable Player as a junior, while also earning 1st Team all-league honors in 2010 and 2011. Marinos will be the third member of her family joining older sisters, Janelle and Tiffany, to play volleyball at a NAIA school, as Janelle played a Embry-Riddle in Florida and Tiffany was a member of Fresno Pacific's national championships teams.
"Continuing the Marinos volleyball tradition, Caitlin has the experience and volleyball knowledge that will be a boost our program," commented Smith. "Her all around skills and great attitude will be a nice addition to the team."
Staymates, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, will be a two-sport athlete at Corban competing for both the women's volleyball and basketball teams after prepping at Riverside Christian School in Yakima, Washington. During her freshman, junior, and senior seasons, Staymates helped lead the Crusaders to the WIAA state tournament that included time as the team captain in 2011. A two-time All-Central Washington League 1st Team member in volleyball, Staymates also concluded her high school basketball career with over 1,100 points.
"We're looking forward to having Kendra on the team," said Smith. "We expect her to make the transition to the college game quickly."
Wright, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist, comes to Corban from Faith Bible High School where she helped lead the Falcons to a runner-up finish at the 2A state tournament as a junior. A two-time team captain, Wright helped guide Faith Bible to a sixth place finish at the state tournament and earned team MVP honors as a senior. Wright and the Falcons also earned the league's Sportsmanship award in 2010 and 2011, while also being awared a state Sportsmanship award in 2011.
"Kelsey will be adding to the depth of the program defensively," commented Smith. "Her strong work ethic and teachable spirit are a good fit with Warrior volleyball."
The aforementioned group of six student-athletes will join eight returning players from last year's squad that registered a win-loss record of 13-13 that included a 7-11 mark in league play resulting in a tie for sixth in the final Cascade Collegiate Conference standings. The Warriors will begin the 2012 season at the first-ever Red Lion Cascade/Frontier Challenge on Thursday, August 23rd, against Montana Tech beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Spokane, Washington.