Volleyball | 5/24/2013 2:00:00 PM
[PHOTO GALLERY - 2013 WOU VOLLEYBALL SIGNING CLASS]
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon volleyball program has signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent as
Alisha Bettinson,
Erin Dobson,
Lani Kalalau, Madison Ober and
Amber Parker will join the Wolves program starting with the 2013-14 academic year, head coach
Brad Saindon announced.
“I am very excited about the incoming recruiting class,” Saindon said. “We were able to fill a variety of needs with quality student-athletes who excel on and off the court. This group will be great for the program and we are really excited to get them on campus to start preparing for the 2013 season.”
Bettinson joins WOU after a standout career at Richland (Wash.) High School where she helped lead the varsity team to the state championship tournament during three-of-four seasons. A member of the all-area squad, she was a first-team all-conference selection following her junior and senior years. The outside hitter played club volleyball with the Columbia Juniors and Club Gold.
“Alisha is a very good volleyball player and a strong outside hitter,” Saindon said. “She is a proven winner who has all of the tools necessary to be successful at this level. She will be a great asset to the program throughout her career.”
A member of the well-known Wave Volleyball Club in southern California, Dobson signs with WOU following a tremendous career at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif. A two-year varsity letter-winner, the setter helped lead Torrey Pines to back-to-back state titles and the No. 1 ranking in the nation as the Falcons captured the prestigious 2012 Durango High School Volleyball Classic.
“Erin (Dobson) fills a very specific need for us,” Saindon said. “She is a tremendous setter who should be able to make an immediate impact. Erin is a charismatic and effective leader and we are excited to have her join the squad.”
Kalalau signs with WOU out of University Place, Wash., where she attends the Annie Wright School and plays club volleyball for the Puget Sound Volleyball Academy. The captain of her high school and club team, Kalalau earned all-league honors and was named the league's most valuable player as a senior. During her time with her club squad, Kalalau helped send her team to the national tournament six years in a row.
“Lani is the daughter of a volleyball coach so she has a tremendous amount of knowledge about the game,” Saindon said. “Her strong arm and athletic ability, combined with her high volleyball IQ, will make her a strong outside hitter at the collegiate level.”
A native of Snohomish, Wash., and a four-year letter-winner at Glacier Peak High School, Ober joins WOU after an excellent high school and club volleyball career. A three-time all-conference selection, Ober helped lead her high school squad to consecutive state tournaments during her final two seasons. While playing club volleyball for the Seattle Juniors, Ober helped lead the squad to the Puget Sound regional title.
“We're excited to have Madison join the program because she is a versatile player who can play a number of positions,” Saindon said. “She is a solid, all-around player who strives to excel in all areas and will me a tremendous addition to the team.”
A local product, Parker joins WOU after a stellar career at West Albany High School in Albany, Ore. The outside hitter and defensive specialist helped lead her squad to the state championship her senior season. A two-time all-conference selection, Parker was a member of the BOSS Volleyball Club as she helped lead the squad to the Columbia Empire Volleyball Regional championship.
“I am delighted to have Amber join the program,” Saindon said. “She is a terrific outside hitter; but, she is also a tremendous libero prospect. It is great to have a local student in the program and she will be a tremendous addition.”
The five WOU signees join a program that returns five starters from a 21-6 squad in 2012 as the Wolves finished in second-place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a 14-4 record.
