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Tasha Hungate – 6-1,  Middle, Freshman, Hanford HS (Richland, Wash.)
Tasha Hungate, a 6-1 middle from Hanford High School, earned first team Mid-Columbia Conference honors as a senior after receiving second team accord as a junior. Her U17 club team qualified for the junior national championship three times, and her current U18 Shockwave team, which has qualified twice, is ranked in the top five percent in the nation. Tasha's explosiveness as a blocker and offensive threat make her someone that will have an immediate impact on the team and in the Cascade Conference as a freshman, said Spoja. "Tasha's quickness and explosiveness will make her one of the best blockers in our conference. Her ability to transition off the net draws the blockers and will help with our offense. Tasha has been playing at a very high level with a very competitive club team, which will make her transition to Evergreen volleyball even quicker. She is excited to be a part of the Geoduck program and is ready to get on campus."
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Matalasi Laban – 5-7, Setter, Freshman, Central Catholic HS (Portland, Ore.)
Considered one of the top high school setters in Oregon, Matalasi (Lasi) Laban is the most decorated high school setter to join the Evergreen program. A three-year varsity letter winner and team captain her junior and senior seasons, Lasi led her Central Catholic team to three consecutive undefeated league seasons and championships in the 6A Mount Hood Conference. Central Catholic finished second at the state tournament during Lasi's sophomore and junior seasons, and she led the team to a 6A state championship while earning all-tournament honors as a senior. A first team all-state honoree in 2016, Lasi also earned first team all-conference honors as a senior after second team recognition the previous season. She plays her club volleyball for Agape Volleyball Club and helped that team to a fifth-place finish at the 2015 national tournament. Lasi is equally successful in the classroom as an Honor Roll student at Central Catholic and a member of the National Honor Society. Lasi's fiercely competitive spirit and natural ability to run the court will immediately put her on the Cascade Collegiate Conference map in the CCC, according to Spoja. "Matalasi has the will to win and makes everyone around her better," Spoja said. "Her intensity, combined with her competitive edge, is exactly what our team needs to get to the next level. We are extremely excited to coach her and to have her on our side of the net. She has already played at an extremely high level, so she will be bringing that knowledge with her, even though she is just a freshman."
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Kiana Robideau – 6-0, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Port Angeles HS (Port Angeles, Wash.)
A multi-sport athlete at Port Angeles High School, Kiana Robideau is the third true freshman joining the Geoducks this fall. Kiana, a 6-0 outside hitter, was a standout in both volleyball and basketball, and she will bring depth and versatility to the Evergreen team. After receiving second team all-league honors as a junior, Kiana was a first team all-league selection, as well as a Peninsula Wide Athlete of the Month, as a senior. Her team qualified for the state championships in 2013, and she was chosen as the Port Angeles HS Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Kiana takes her academics seriously as well, earning Student of the Month three times as a junior, Honor Roll in her freshman and junior years, and Olympic League Student Athlete (3.5 GPA or higher) recognition her senior season of volleyball. "We are extremely impressed with Ki's ability to play so many sports and excel at them all," Spoja said. "We believe this will help with her agility and strength coming in to our season. I personally cannot wait to be able to work with her offensively and get her into our lineup.
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Ashtyn Bagby – 5-9, Setter/Opposite, Junior, Tacoma CC/Bonney Lake HS (Bonney Lake, Wash.)
Ashtyn Bagby, a 5-9 setter/opposite, will transfer into the Evergreen program after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Tacoma Community College. As a setter at TCC, Ashtyn led her team to two Western Region titles and to sixth- and fifth-place finishes in the NWAC, in addition to five times garnering Player of the Week awards. At Bonney Lake High School, she earned first team all-league honors and was team captain as a senior. A two-time team MVP, Ashtyn played a key role in Bonney Lake HS winning league championships during her junior and senior seasons, and to the team's state tournament appearance when she was a junior. Ashtyn joins the Geoducks with a substantial amount of experience, a high volleyball IQ, and a maturity that will add nothing but positives to the team, according to Spoja. "Ashtyn is going to give us maturity and knowledge. She has taken some time off from collegiate volleyball but is anxious to get back in and contribute in any way possible. Because she is such a versatile player, she will be able to contribute right away and make us better on and off the court," Spoja said.
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Alexis Garrison – 5-9, Setter/Opposite, Junior, Walla Walla CC/Wenatchee HS (Wenatchee, Wash.)
Alexis Garrison, another 5-9 setter/opposite, will be one of two Walla Walla CC student-athletes to join the Evergreen family this fall. After serving as team captain throughout her Wenatchee High School career, Alexis helped lead Walla Walla to a second-place finish in the NWAC Eastern Region her freshman year, and an Eastern Region championship and fourth-place NWAC finish as a sophomore. She was Setter of the Week five times while playing in the NWAC, and "is an incredibly positive addition to the Evergreen roster," Spoja said. A versatile athlete, Alexis can also play opposite and contribute as a defender, in addition to her outstanding setting abilities. "As a setter, Alexis can consistently deliver the ball to the same place, so our hitters will be able to be more consistent," Spoja added. "Alexis has the unique ability to play many positions, as well as setter. Chelsie Speer, Walla Walla CC head coach, has done an amazing job training her has a setter, and she can come to Evergreen and play right away."
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Lehualani Keka – 6-2, Outside Hitter, Junior, Highline CC/Pahoa HS (Hilo, Hawaii)
Lehualani (Lehua) Keka is a 6-2 outside hitter who comes to Evergreen from Hilo, Hawaii, after a two-year career at Highline CC. In Pahoa High School, Lehua was a three-year varsity letter winner and helped her team to a third-place state tournament finish during her junior season. At Highline, Lehua served as a consistent offensive threat in the NWAC with a .219 hitting percentage as a freshman and a .203 percentage as a sophomore, the season in which Highline finished as NWAC Western Region Champions. Lehua proved herself in the classroom as well, earning NWAC All-Academic Team honors. "Lehua's size will help us dominate the net," Spoja said. "She is one of the better blockers I have seen and is a huge offensive threat. She can play either pin, which gives us versatility, and she can play all six rotations. Lehua will vie for a starting position on the outside or right side this season."
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Tori Wegdahl – 5-6, Libero, Junior, Walla Walla CC/Wahkiakum HS (Cathlamet, Wash.)
Tori Wegdahl, a 5-6 libero, comes to Evergreen after two successful seasons at Walla Walla Community College. She is the first AVCA Two-Year College All-American on an Evergreen roster. A four-year letter winner at Wahkiakum High School, Tori was a second team all-league pick as a freshman and sophomore, a first team all-league and all-area selection as a junior, and a first team all-league, all-area and all-state honoree as a senior. Tori helped lead Wahkaikum to two district championships and to second- and seventh-place finishes at the state tournament. Tori's sophomore season at Walla Walla CC consisted of an Eastern Region Championship and a fourth-place finish at the NWAC Tournament. Averaging a NWAC-best 6.6 digs per set, Tori earned Eastern Region First Team Honors, as well as AVCA Two-Year College First-Team All-America Honors, the only libero to make first team in the nation. Tori's skill set, along with her competitive drive and maturity, will take Evergreen to the next level, Spoja said. "Tori is fiercely competitive and will help run the back court. Her serve receive and ability to read the hitters is outstanding and she will make an immediate impact. She is highly decorated as a libero and will also add maturity to our young team." |
