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CLEAR Temp: 84 °F Wind: NW at 8 mph Tuesday, June 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 30, 2003 Former North standout Ferris to play for SOU ASHLAND — Four players who are expected to solidify the setter and hitter positions have been signed by Southern Oregon University volleyball coach Paul Elliott. The signees are former North Medford High standout and University of Oregon transfer Kristin Ferris and prep all-stars Melissa Beard, Ashley Garboden and Morgan Phillips. The 5-foot-7 Ferris, a junior in eligibility and a projected outside hitter for the Raiders, averaged 1.56 digs per game as a Duck defensive specialist over two seasons and posted career match bests of 16 digs and 11 kills against Oregon State as a sophomore in 2000. At North Medford, Ferris set school records for kills and digs and earned second-team all-state honors after leading the Black Tornado to a third-place Class 4A tournament finish as a senior in 1998. "Kristin is a great athlete and a proven Division I player," says Elliott. "She's a great leaper who will be an extremely exciting player to watch because she does so many different things on the court." Advertisement Beard, a 5-9 setter from Junction City High, earned 2002 Sky-Em League player-of-the-year accolades and finished as a two-time first-team conference all-star and a four-year academic award winner. "Melissa puts up a big block as a setter, and she also knows how to run a complex offense," says Elliott. "She played on an outstanding club program throughout high school, and she set to several future Division I players." Garboden, a 5-6 setter from Aloha High near Portland, is a two-time Metro Conference all-star who earned honorable mention all-state status after helping the Warriors qualify for the 2002 Class 4A state tournament. The two-year team captain was named Aloha player of the year, and she went on to set a school javelin record as a member of the track and field squad. Garboden’s sister, Sabrina, was an NAIA Region I all-star defensive specialist/setter for the Raiders from 1998- 2001, and her father, Lee, was a district wrestling champion at Pacific University in the 1970s. "Ashley is an intense competitor who can either set or play in a defensive role right away," says Elliott. "Sabrina was an amazing player here (at SOU), and what is really promising about Ashley is she earned more awards and honors in high school than her older sister did." Phillips, a 5-10 left-handed outside hitter from Service High in Anchorage, Alaska, played on three consecutive regional championship squads and was a member of the 2000 Alaska Class 4A title squad. She was all-conference was named team and regional tourney MVP as a senior. "Morgan is a prototypical right-side player," says Elliott. "She brings a big block and a big hitting left arm." The newcomers join nine returning letterwinners and three redshirts from the 2002 Southern Oregon team that went 27-7 overall, captured a second consecutive NAIA Region I title and placed ninth at the NAIA Championships. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times