The Umpqua Community College (UCC) Department of Athletics is excited to announce the commitments of Kyrie Keffer of Henley High School, Kylie Merlino of Glide High School, Courtney Sakraida of Rouge River High School and Kiera Killingbeck of Oakridge High School to become members of the Umpqua RiverHawk Volleyball team for the 2017 season.
Keffer received 1st Team All-Conference as a senior, as well as 2nd Team All-State during the 2016 season at Henley High School. UCC Head Volleyball Coach Lacy Pinard had this to say about the signing of Keffer,”Kyrie is a firecracker on defense and we are excited to watch her push to her full potential as a libero.”
Merlino was an Honorable Mention All-League selection during her senior season at Glide High School. “Kylie is aggressive and has a lot of raw power to bring onto our team. She will be a great addition to push the defensive line as a libero,” said Pinard.
Sakraida received 1st Team All-Conference Defense as a senior and 2nd Team All-Conference as a junior at Rouge River High School. “Courtney will strengthen our defensive unit and we are looking forward to watching her growth as a player,” said Pinard.
Pinard on Killingbeck,”We are excited to see her with our defense as a defensive specialist and she brings a lot of heart and skill to our offensive line as a setter.” Killingbeck received 1st Team All-League as a senior and 2nd Team All- League as a junior at Oakridge High School.
The RiverHawk Volleyball team is coming off of a 28-23 season, including two wins in the Northwest Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.
Umpqua’s Department of Athletics is composed of nine varsity sports teams including four men's teams (basketball, cross country, wrestling and obstacle course racing), and five women's teams (basketball, cross country, volleyball, wrestling and obstacle course racing). Umpqua is a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference in all sports except men’s and women’s wrestling and obstacle course racing. For men’s wrestling UCC belongs to the National Junior College Athletic Association and for women’s wrestling, the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association. For more information, please visit www.uccriverhawks.com. Follow RiverHawk Athletics at www.facebook.com/Umpqua-RiverHawk-Athletics and also on Twitter @uccriverhawks.