April 25, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Five freshmen, four of whom were all-state picks, will be attending Western Washington University this fall and playing for the Viking volleyball team. Making that announcement was WWU coach Diane Flick.

The quintet consists of 5-foot-8 libero/setter Haleigh Adkins from Rogers High School in Puyallup, 5-10 outside hitter Alison Fairchild from Kentwood High School in Kent, 5-11 middle blocker/opposite hitter Emily Jepsen from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, 6-2 middle blocker Amber Johnson from Mount Vernon High School and 5-9 setter Laurie Yearout from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane.

"This class is going to be a solid foundation to continue the tradition of Viking volleyball," said Flick. "They bring in size, speed and chemistry, and what I'm most impressed with all of them is their passion to play. I look forward to hitting the ground running with this group in the fall and seeing their careers unfold at WWU."

Adkins was a first-team Class 4A all-State selection at Rogers as well as earning first-team Tacoma News Tribune all-Area and all-South Puget Sound League honors. She helped the Rams to the league title and sixth place at the state tournament, having a school-record 55 assists in one match.

Fairchild did not compete as a senior because of a knee injury. She was a SPSL all-star as a junior, leading Kentwood to league and district titles and fourth place at the Class 4A state tournament.

Jepson was a first-team Class 3A all-state, Tri-City Herald all-Area and all-Columbia Basin League selection. She led Kamiakin to a 26-3 record and sixth place at the state tournament; having team highs in blocks (161), service aces (53) and attack percentage (.412).

Johnson received Class 3A all-state honorable mention and was a first-team all-Northwest Conference pick at Mount Vernon.

Yearout was a second-team Class 4A all-state choice and a first-team Greater Spokane League all-star, leading Lewis & Clark to a second straight runner-up finish at state.

Western is coming off the finest season in school history, placing second at the NCAA Division II National Championship after winning Great Northwest Athletic Conference and NCAA II Pacific Regional titles. They finished 26-5 and were ranked No.2 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association/NCAA II Top 25.