Document text
Elliott adds seven recruits to Raider volleyball squad ASHLAND - Inspired by 13 consecutive playoff appearances and recent top-25 rankings, Southern Oregon University volleyball coach Paul Elliott hopes his seven-member 2001 recruiting class creates the perfect formula for a first-ever NAIA tournament bid. On Tuesday, Elliott introduced five prep standouts and two college transfers to augment seven returning letterwinners from last year's 22-12 team that advanced to the Cascade Conference tournament title match and earned a second consecutive regional tournament berth. The newest Raiders are Dani Arlyn, a sophomore setter from Corvallis via Linn-Benton Community College; Jessie Gershater, a defensive specialist from Flagstaff, Ariz.; Kallie Greatwood, an outside hitter from Eugene; Jamie McCreary, a setter/defensive specialist from Minden, Nev.; Mandi Sharpe, a defensive specialist from Mabton, Wash.; Abbie Stewart, a junior defensive specialist from Houston, Texas, and Trinidad (Colo.) State Junior College; and Kelly Thoni, an outside hitter/middle blocker from Castro Valley, Calif. "This group reflects our off-season emphasis on setting and defense," Elliott said. "Overall, we've had two solid recruiting classes in a row, and I really feel good about the future of our program." Arlyn, who earned top honors at last year's Northwest junior college tournament and was a first-team West Valley League all-star as a prep at Santiam Christian High in Corvallis, figures prominently in Elliott's plans at the setter position. "Dani had a very successful freshman season, and she'll be a great leader," Elliott said. "She's quick, jumps well, and has the mental and physical ability to play a challenging position." Also vying for setting chores or defensive roles are McCreary, a first-team conference all-star who led Douglas High to back-to-back Nevada Class 4A runner-up finishes, and Gershater, a member of two district title squads at Flagstaff High. Elliott hopes Sharpe, a four-time prep all-star who garnered South Central Conference MVP accolades as a senior at Mabton (Wash.) High, and Stewart, an all-league defender and an academic award winner at both Houston Nimitz High and Trinidad State, help fill the defensive void caused by the departure of three four-year defensive stalwarts. "Abbie's strengths are passing and ball control," Elliott said, "and I expect her to start right away and be a key player." Greatwood and Thoni add to SOU's already potent offensive attack that features an honorable mention All-American (Shelley Gorin) and last year's conference freshman of the year (Kristina Matchett). The 5-foot-9 Greatwood, whose father, Steve, is the football defensive line coach at the University of Oregon, was a two-time Midwestern League all-star outside hitter at Sheldon High and a four-year varsity starter. Meanwhile, Thoni is a 5-11, two-year Hayward Area Athletic League all-star and a prep All-American swimmer from Castro Valley (Calif.) High. "Kelly is a great athlete and one of the best players on a highly successful club program in the Bay Area," Elliott said. "She has the potential to be a four-year starter." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.