Rangers Sign Five for 2009 Season

Denver, Colo.: After a successful RMAC Championship 19-12 season (12-7 RMAC) in 2008, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Frank Lavrisha is adding five new players to the core Ranger roster in hopes of attaining new leaders and formulating a chemistry that will help Regis to overstep last season’s accomplishment of appearing at the NCAA Regional Tournament. The five new signees include Erin Anderson, Caitlin McDonnell, Katie Hudencial, Jordan Hughes, and Kelsey Kohler.

Erin Anderson comes to join the 2009 Ranger squad from Kishwaukee JC in Malta, Ill. where she played middle blocker for her two-time National Championship and repeat Conference Championship team. Anderson was named All-Conference during her sophomore year and was once named Athlete of the Month in her time at Kishwaukee JC.

“We expect Erin will give us an immediate presence at the middle blocker/hitter position with her athleticism and her championship experience from Kishwaukee Junior College,” says Lavrisha. “Erin will fill the void left by Liz Franz’s graduation and complement the returning nucleus that made a strong run to capture the RMAC Championship and get back to the NCAA Tournament. Erin is a great fit for the program and university. We look forward to the contributions she will make to our team and the impact in the classroom.”

Also a middle blocker and rightside hitter is Caitlin McDonnell. McDonnell comes to Regis from West Linn High School in Oregon. In her time at West Linn HS, she has led her team to a State Championship in 2007, a second place state finish in 2008, and three consecutive League Championships in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2008 McDonnell was named to the First Team All-League.

“Caitlin gives us a strong presence at the net and valuable competitive experience from West Linn High School and Portland Volleyball Club,” says Lavrisha. “We love the versatility Caitlin has in being able to play a few positions. Her skills are solid and she plays with a consistency that wears opponents out.”

Just as McDonnell is capable of filling in at more than one position on the court, so is Katie Hudencial. Hudencial is a utility player from Mechanicsburg High School in Mechanicsville, Va. She has led her team to three consecutive VHSL AAA Capital District Tournament Championships (2006-2008), a Central Region Championship in 2006, a Central Region second place finish in 2008, and a second place state finish in 2006. In 2006, Hudencial was named second team All-District before being named to the first team in 2007 and 2008. Also in 2007 and 2008 she was named to the second team All-Region and second team All-Metro teams. Hudencial also received Digitalsports.com Legend of the Fall honors in 2008 along with being named the Richmond Times-Dispatch Student Athlete of the Month and receiving the HHS Coaches Award.

“Katie is the consummate team player as she is ready and able to play any position but Middle Blocker. We expect Katie to upgrade our ball control and challenge our veterans in a few positions. Katie gives us depth and breadth like a great painting,” says Lavrisha. “Katie is a great athlete with very good skills and leads with a quiet intensity.”

Jordan Hughes is another incoming Ranger who is an outside hitter from Tatum High School in Texas. Hughes helped to lead her high school team to an Area Championship in 2006, a Regional Qualifier Championship in 2007, and a Bidistrict Championship in 2008. In her time at Tatum HS, Hughes has been named the All-East Texas Newcomer of the year, All-District in 2007, All-East Texas First Team, District and Tournament MVP in 2008, Longview News Journal Hitter of the Year, Longview News Journal Player of the Week, All-State, and 2009 District MVP.

“Jordan is a fluid athlete who carried a big load for her Tatum High School team. Her experience and athleticism will bolster our Outside Hitting position. We look for Jordan to really mature into a solid all around player,” says Lavrisha. “Jordan’s character, skills, and determination makes her a great fit for our program and university.”

The final signee that Regis is bringing in for the 2009 season is Kelsey Kohler. Kohler is a defensive specialist and setter from Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School in Everett, Wash. She has led her high school team to the 2A State Championships for three consecutive years (2006-08) and has earned Most Improved honors in 2007, a Sportsmanship Award in 2008, and has been a part of the Junior Olympics in 2005 and 2008.

Lavrisha says that, “Kelsey brings valuable skills in a couple of positions that give depth to our roster and will raise our overall team play. She is driven to improve and will bolster our team ball control. Kelsey has a very good serving game.”

The above mentioned new Rangers will accompany seven returning players in hopes of another successful season in 2009. Devin Eckhardt returns to captain Regis through tough play and what Lavrisha calls “’heady’ distributing from the setter position.” Returning as an outside hitter and the Rangers’ leading scorer is All-American Jess Howe. The other scoring mainstay from last year’s squad is Kerry Grady who plays rightside for the Rangers. In the 2008 season, Grady was consistent in hitting for numbers against all competition. In the middle blocker position is Lyz Kann whose skills emerged in the spring season. Buoying the Rangers’ ball control is Cassidee Young who spent much of her time in the libero spot in 2008. “A key position will be the other Outside Hitting position as Maggie Workman and Sarah Keiter have taken turns in the spot and incoming freshmen Jordan Hughes and Katie Hundencial will be challenging as well,” says Lavrisha. Erin Anderson is expected to fill in the shoes of Liz Franz at the other Middle position. Lavrisha says that “Her experience and athleticism should make that transition a smooth one.” Caitlin McDonnell brings depth to the middle and rightside positions while Kelsey Kohler and Katie Hudencial can back up the setting position while providing ball control for the Rangers.

These newcomers have big shoes to fill. Those not returning next season include Liz Franz, Kristin Thompson, Nia Ingram, and Hannah Tautolo “…who all made significant contributions into the heart and soul of last year’s fantastic run down the stretch to snare the RMAC Championship Tournament and the automatic bid into the NCAAs” said Lavrisha.

Coach Lavrisha goes on to say “The keys to the 2009 volleyball season will be the leadership exhibited by the returning upperclassmen and significant contributions from the newer players. This was our formula in 2008 and we look to build upon the momentum generated from it.”