Edmonds Community College Athletics
Tritons Volleyball
2010-2011 Letter of Intent Signees
Rachael Davis, Bothell
Edmonds Sweeps Weekly North Region Awards:
D’Amelio Named Offensive & Dahl Named Defensive Players of the Week
October 29, 2009
Angela D'Amelio Alyssa Dahl
Vancouver, WA -- Sophomore middle blocker Angela D’Amelio was selected Northern Region Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman Libero Alyssa Dahl was selected Northern Region Defensive Player of the Week by the NWAACC for the week ending October 28.
2009 Season Outlook
After finishing the 2008 season as North Division Champions (11-1) and taking 3rd place in the NWAACC with a 38-12 record, the 2009 Triton Women’s Volleyball team has its work cut out for them if they want to duplicate or improve on that success. With a motivated and experienced group of returning sophomores, a great crop of incoming freshmen, and some timely transfers, the 2009 Tritons are up to the task. They fully intend to repeat as North Champions and return to the top of the NWAACC Conference.
The team opens the season with a tough test the opening week of play – at the Chemeketa Invitational, which features the top 5 finishers in the 2008 NWAACC tournament. Other pre-season tests include matches against perennial NWAAC powers Mt. Hood, Clark, Lower Columbia, and Highline – before heading to the Inland Communications Tournament at Spokane Falls (featuring 7 NWAACC Tournament teams and NJCAA power North Idaho College). They open defense of their North Division crown on September 23rd with a home match versus Shoreline.
A close-up look at the program shows that the Tritons will be a contender for the NWAAC crown in 2009:
Intangibles
The Tritons boasted 9 sophomores on their 2008 team that contended for a title and history shows that successful teams in the NWAACC feature a core of returning players. This season, they have 4 returners, but also feature two quality transfers that add to the depth of the sophomore class. That added with 7 quality incoming freshmen – and the 2009 Tritons expect to be in the mix again at the top of the NWAACC in 2009. Head Coach Tony Miranda enters his third season at the helm of the Edmonds volleyball program and again has a roster full of his recruits and high expectations. Coach Miranda has 11 years of collegiate experience (9 in the NWAACC and 2 at Seattle Pacific University) and is very active in the volleyball community as the Northwest Juniors Volleyball Club coach/director.
The culture of winning and high expectations set forth by the 2008 team has carried over to this season and the great leaders in the sophomore class are carrying on the tradition to the freshman class. “We have an exceptionally hard working and dedicated group of student-athletes assembled here and the staff and I are excited about the possibilities that this season presents”, says Miranda; “every single day, we see something at practice that gives us reason to be excited for a great season. This is a great group that will continue our tradition of winning.”
Setters
Two setters enter the season competing for the starting setter position. They include sophomore Captain Emily Price (Juanita HS, Northwest Jrs) who sat the 2008 season due to injury, and incoming freshman Cami Alexander (Lakeside HS, VIP Juniors in Spokane. Price brings to the table some great experience and leadership qualities; Alexander brings exceptional athleticism and great potential and can attack like the best outside hitters on the roster – she also fills in nicely at the opposite position. With either player leading the offense, setting will be a strength for the Tritons this season.
Defensive Specialists
Probably the biggest strength of the 2008 team was defense (2nd in the NWAACC in opponent hitting percentage) with North Division MVP Anya Silva leading the way. Her NWAACC-leading 5.63 digs per set will be sorely missed – and the task of “replacing” her falls to the entire Triton roster. Leading the way this season, will be sophomore transfer Lauren Wilder (University of Dallas & Seattle’s Holy Names Academy) and two freshmen with great work habits. They include Alyssa Dahl (Gresham HS, Alpine VBC) and Meagan Foote, a second team all-league and second team All-State player from WIAA “A” State Champion, Kings High School. Both incoming freshmen have some great instincts and will make an immediate impact defensively. All three will contribute greatly to the cornerstone of all Edmonds teams – great team defense!
Outside Hitters
With few returning outside hitters from the 2008 team, the task of dominating from the outside will greatly fall to the freshman class. Our returning outside hitters includeco-captain Angela D’Amelio (Juanita HS, NW Juniors), a starting opposite on the 2007 team, and Ali Christensen (Flathead HS/Flathead Jrs) a middle blocker on the 2008 team. The new crop of outside hitters on the Triton roster include previously mentioned Lauren Wilder – a Seattle native who transferred in from the University of Dallas (NCAA Division III); Rebecca Stafford (Borah HS, Club Idaho), a multi-sport athlete and first team all conference player from Boise, Idaho; co-captain Michelle Woodward (Olympia HS, Capital VBC) an all-Narrows League selection for the Bears, who finished 6th at the 2008 4A State Tournament; Kellee Bates (Mt. Spokane HS/VIP Juniors) another Spokane product from the VIP Juniors Volleyball Club; and Alyssa Bruchet (Ontario Christian HS, Club West) a California product and first team all-league player who is also a Middle Blocker.
Middle Blockers
Among the strengths of the 2009 Triton Squad will be the Middle Blocker core, as they return 6’ 1” starter Jaima McEwen (Walla Walla Valley Academy/WW Juniors) and welcome Brianna Cox (Bothell HS, Island Thunder VBC) a 6’ 0 sophomore transfer from the College of Southern Idaho. These two will lead a great group of middles that include versatile outside hitters Angela D’Amelio, Kellee Bates, and Alyssa Bruchet. This is an extremely versatile group of student-athletes that will help the Tritons contend for a title.
