Top left: Michael Bigler; Top right: Kylie Szczepanski; Bottom right: Keann White
NU Signs Three Preps for Volleyball
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University’s head volleyball coach, Steve Bain, announced the signing of three prep athletes who will play for the Eagles in 2016. Signing NAIA letters of intent to attend the university are: Keann White of Spokane Valley, Wash., Michal Bilger of Boise, Idaho, and Kylie Szczepanski of Bloomington, Calif.
Keann White is a 5-8 middle blocker who will graduate from Central Valley High School in spring, 2016. White was is a three-time All-Greater Spokane League first team selection and was named team captain in her senior year. A good student, White has been named to the honor roll at CVHS and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans on majoring in Nursing at Northwest U.
Said NU head coach Steven Bain about White, “Keann played much of her high school and club career as a middle attacker but her quickness and gifts as a back court defender and passer lead us to believe that Keann can be an exceptional outside hitter at the next level. Keann is also mechanically sound with a fast arm swing and can hit high and hard with great efficiency. Finally, Keann possesses all of the intangibles that we want in our program. She is positive, a great teammate and embraces challenge at the highest level.”
Michal Bilger, a 5-10 outside hitter, attends Borah High School in Boise, Idaho and plans to major in Elementary Education when she attends Northwest U. Bilger is a three sport athlete earning varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was a four year starter in volleyball, team MVP and twice named team captain earning all-league honors three times. Also a four year starter in basketball, Michal also started three years for the BHS softball team earning all-league honors.
“Kel (Michal) is a talented outside hitter that is just beginning to come into her own,” stated Coach Bain. “As I watched her compete in club I was impressed with her strength and ability to hit a high, heavy ball. As she develops more tools for specific situations she will become a terrific player for us. During the recruiting process, I was equally impressed with Kel’s work ethic and positive court presence. These are intangibles that are tough to train but crucial for all of our players to develop if they are to succeed at the highest level."
Kylie Szczepanski, a 6-1 middle blocker, played her prep volleyball for Alta Loma High School in Bloomington, Calif., where she will graduate in spring, 2016. Szczepanski earned All-Mt. Baldy League honors in her junior and seniors years and was a member of the ALHS 2014 CIF championship team. Her 2014 and 2015 teams were CIF state finalists. She is a member of the ASB (Associated Student Body) at Alta Loma and the California Scholarship Federation. Kylie will be a Biology/Pre-med major at NU.
Bain commented about Szczepanski, “A crucial objective in this year’s recruiting class was to add talent and depth at the middle hitter position and in Kylie we have met that goal. As we recruited Kylie, we observed a versatile attacker that moves efficiently and jumps well, which gives her the ability to play even taller than her 6’0” frame. Importantly, when Kylie visited we observed a significant upside in her ability as an attacker and we are excited to help her grow and flourish in our system. Kylie is also an awesome teammate that will say and do the things to make her teammates better.”
“When we evaluate any recruiting class, we obviously want to add players that are coachable and athletically gifted,” Bain concluded. “Equally important is to identify young women of character and intellect that will fit NU’s unique faith-based culture and contribute academically. In that context, I am confident that in Michal (Kel), Keanne, and Kylie we have done just that and each in their own way will contribute immediately to the success of NU volleyball. We look forward to working with each of these young women as they strive to become the best they can be and we feel very fortunate that they have chosen Northwest University”