Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Volleyball Inks Two JC Transfers and Two High School Standouts
4/15/2016 1:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State head volleyball coach JJ Riley took another step in building his program with the signing of two junior college transfers and two high school standouts on Wednesday afternoon during the spring signing period.
Montana State head volleyball coach JJ Riley took another step in building his program with the signing of two junior college transfers and two high school standouts on Wednesday afternoon during the spring signing period.
Inking with the Bobcats are Audra Dugan, a 6-1 middle blocker from Gilbert, AZ; Kaite Rutecki, a 5-8 setter from Burbank, CA; Savannah Laws, a 6-2 middle blocker from Herriman, Utah; and Evi Wilson, a 5-11 outside hitter from Vancouver, WA.
Dugan, who prepped at Campo Verde High School, recently finished her second season at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. At South Mountain, Dugan led her squad to back-to-back 20-win seasons, including a 20-15 mark last fall. In addition, the Cougars finished fourth in ACCA D-II both years.
At Campo Verde, Dugan was a member of the all-district volleyball squad and was an all-state honorable mention selection, as well. During her tenure with the Coyotes, Campo Verde posted a 64-17 overall mark.
"We are excited that Audra has decided to become a Bobcat and finish out her education here at MSU," Riley said. "She has gained valuable experience the past two years playing at the junior college level as a middle blocker and will add some great experience to our roster. We have heard nothing but great things from her JC coach as Audra is the type of person that everyone enjoys being around, everyone respects, and her work ethic sets the tone and example for others to follow.
"Audra is a strong, tough, dynamic athlete that we expect to be a force at the net both offensively and defensively," Riley continued. "She possesses great power and quickness in her block moves along the net and in her transition approach back to the net. The exciting thing is that she has room to improve and she has the desire to make it happen. Audra is very driven in all aspects and areas of her life, not just athletically."
She is the daughter of Bill and Lindsay Dugan.
Rutecki dished out 10.87 assists per set at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., last fall. Under her leadership at the setting position, the Cougars posted a 26-4 overall record. For her efforts, Rutecki earned Western State Conference First-Team honors as well as CCCAA All-Southern California Regional team kudos.
Rutecki prepped at John Burroughs High School where she garnered first and second-team All-Pacific League accolades. In addition, she was a scholar-athlete recipient.
"For the past two years, Katie has gained valuable experience setting for her junior college team and it will be great to have her experience in this young class of athletes," Riley said. "According to her JC coach, Katie is a hard worker, doesn't shy away from challenges, and wants to know what she can do to make herself and team better.
"Katie is a great athlete and more importantly she is a tenacious competitor with a strong work ethic," Riley said. "When we evaluate setters we not only look at their athleticism and skill set, but we look at their mental toughness, selflessness, drive, competitiveness, and ability to make those around them better. Katie stands out in these categories and we look forward to her helping us elevate this program to new heights."
She is the daughter of Shannon Rutecki.
Laws was the most valuable player at Herriman High School after recording 288 kills and 128 blocks, last fall. A two-year starter at middle blocker, she earned all-region accolades as a senior. In addition, Laws was team-captain as a senior and named most improved as a junior.
"Savannah is a strong, physical, and quick middle blocker that will help us tremendously in our pursuit of becoming more physical as a program," Riley said. "We look for her to be a strong presence at the net blocking as she covers ground quickly and can get over the net to cut off angles. Offensively she hits high which makes it tough for an opposing middle, as well as defense, to stop her.
"Savannah has been playing at a high level club out of the Utah area and has received great coaching in her junior career, which has helped set the foundation for her future growth," Riley added. "She is use to putting in extra time to get better with weight training/conditioning and extra skill sessions provided by her former club. Her work ethic has been forged through these experiences and only strengthened by having a great family in her corner. We think Savannah still has room for improvement and that makes us very excited as a coaching staff."
She is the daughter of Roger and Tracy Laws.
Wilson was a four-year letterwinner at Columbia River High School, where she led the Chieftains to a 3A state runner-up finish this fall. For her efforts, Wilson was a three-time Greater St. Helens League Player of the Year; a three-time First-Team All-State Tournament pick; a three-time First-Team All-Region honoree; and a four-time First-Team All-GSHL selection. In addition, Wilson was a Columbia River Team Captain awards pick as a junior and senior.
An outstanding athlete, she was a two-time district champion and fifth place state finisher in the high jump with a personal best 5-5 mark in the event. She also posted a personal record of 2:18 in the 800-meters.
"Evi is a dynamic, explosive, and versatile volleyball player that can play multiple positions," Riley said. "Her quickness, competitiveness, left arm, and volleyball IQ will help elevate our level of play in the gym daily, which in turn will elevate our program.
"Evi is also a selfless team player as demonstrated this past club season," Riley stated. "Her team asked her to play middle, as that is what they needed, and she stepped right in and has done a great job contributing. It is tough being a lefty in the middle, but she attacked it. Seeing that attitude and mindset from her really got us excited as we need to keep building this program on the foundation of being a team player."
She is the daughter of Jim and Lisa Wilson.
In all, Riley will welcome nine newcomers to the program this fall to go along with seven returners.
2015-16 Bobcat Newcomers:
Player, Pos., Ht., Yr., Ex., Hometown/HS/JC
Audra Dugan, MB, 6-1, Jr., TR, Gilbert, AZ/Campo Verde/So. Mountain
Kacee James, OH, 6-1, Fr., HS, Castor, Alberta, Canada/Gus Welter
Savannah Laws, MB, 6-2, Fr., HS, Herriman, UT/Herriman
Caitlin Lonergan, OH, 6-, Fr., HS, Bozeman, MT/Bozeman
Sydney Mathison, S, 5-11, Fr., HS, Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista
Allyssa Rizzo, DS/L, 5-6, Fr., HS, Crestwood, IL/Marist
Katie Rutecki, S, 5-8, Jr., TR, Burbank, CA/John Burroughs/Canyons
Evi Wilson, OH, 5-11, Fr., HS, Vancouver, WA/Columbia River
Inking with the Bobcats are Audra Dugan, a 6-1 middle blocker from Gilbert, AZ; Kaite Rutecki, a 5-8 setter from Burbank, CA; Savannah Laws, a 6-2 middle blocker from Herriman, Utah; and Evi Wilson, a 5-11 outside hitter from Vancouver, WA.
Dugan, who prepped at Campo Verde High School, recently finished her second season at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. At South Mountain, Dugan led her squad to back-to-back 20-win seasons, including a 20-15 mark last fall. In addition, the Cougars finished fourth in ACCA D-II both years.
At Campo Verde, Dugan was a member of the all-district volleyball squad and was an all-state honorable mention selection, as well. During her tenure with the Coyotes, Campo Verde posted a 64-17 overall mark.
"We are excited that Audra has decided to become a Bobcat and finish out her education here at MSU," Riley said. "She has gained valuable experience the past two years playing at the junior college level as a middle blocker and will add some great experience to our roster. We have heard nothing but great things from her JC coach as Audra is the type of person that everyone enjoys being around, everyone respects, and her work ethic sets the tone and example for others to follow.
"Audra is a strong, tough, dynamic athlete that we expect to be a force at the net both offensively and defensively," Riley continued. "She possesses great power and quickness in her block moves along the net and in her transition approach back to the net. The exciting thing is that she has room to improve and she has the desire to make it happen. Audra is very driven in all aspects and areas of her life, not just athletically."
She is the daughter of Bill and Lindsay Dugan.
Rutecki dished out 10.87 assists per set at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., last fall. Under her leadership at the setting position, the Cougars posted a 26-4 overall record. For her efforts, Rutecki earned Western State Conference First-Team honors as well as CCCAA All-Southern California Regional team kudos.
Rutecki prepped at John Burroughs High School where she garnered first and second-team All-Pacific League accolades. In addition, she was a scholar-athlete recipient.
"For the past two years, Katie has gained valuable experience setting for her junior college team and it will be great to have her experience in this young class of athletes," Riley said. "According to her JC coach, Katie is a hard worker, doesn't shy away from challenges, and wants to know what she can do to make herself and team better.
"Katie is a great athlete and more importantly she is a tenacious competitor with a strong work ethic," Riley said. "When we evaluate setters we not only look at their athleticism and skill set, but we look at their mental toughness, selflessness, drive, competitiveness, and ability to make those around them better. Katie stands out in these categories and we look forward to her helping us elevate this program to new heights."
She is the daughter of Shannon Rutecki.
Laws was the most valuable player at Herriman High School after recording 288 kills and 128 blocks, last fall. A two-year starter at middle blocker, she earned all-region accolades as a senior. In addition, Laws was team-captain as a senior and named most improved as a junior.
"Savannah is a strong, physical, and quick middle blocker that will help us tremendously in our pursuit of becoming more physical as a program," Riley said. "We look for her to be a strong presence at the net blocking as she covers ground quickly and can get over the net to cut off angles. Offensively she hits high which makes it tough for an opposing middle, as well as defense, to stop her.
"Savannah has been playing at a high level club out of the Utah area and has received great coaching in her junior career, which has helped set the foundation for her future growth," Riley added. "She is use to putting in extra time to get better with weight training/conditioning and extra skill sessions provided by her former club. Her work ethic has been forged through these experiences and only strengthened by having a great family in her corner. We think Savannah still has room for improvement and that makes us very excited as a coaching staff."
She is the daughter of Roger and Tracy Laws.
Wilson was a four-year letterwinner at Columbia River High School, where she led the Chieftains to a 3A state runner-up finish this fall. For her efforts, Wilson was a three-time Greater St. Helens League Player of the Year; a three-time First-Team All-State Tournament pick; a three-time First-Team All-Region honoree; and a four-time First-Team All-GSHL selection. In addition, Wilson was a Columbia River Team Captain awards pick as a junior and senior.
An outstanding athlete, she was a two-time district champion and fifth place state finisher in the high jump with a personal best 5-5 mark in the event. She also posted a personal record of 2:18 in the 800-meters.
"Evi is a dynamic, explosive, and versatile volleyball player that can play multiple positions," Riley said. "Her quickness, competitiveness, left arm, and volleyball IQ will help elevate our level of play in the gym daily, which in turn will elevate our program.
"Evi is also a selfless team player as demonstrated this past club season," Riley stated. "Her team asked her to play middle, as that is what they needed, and she stepped right in and has done a great job contributing. It is tough being a lefty in the middle, but she attacked it. Seeing that attitude and mindset from her really got us excited as we need to keep building this program on the foundation of being a team player."
She is the daughter of Jim and Lisa Wilson.
In all, Riley will welcome nine newcomers to the program this fall to go along with seven returners.
2015-16 Bobcat Newcomers:
Player, Pos., Ht., Yr., Ex., Hometown/HS/JC
Audra Dugan, MB, 6-1, Jr., TR, Gilbert, AZ/Campo Verde/So. Mountain
Kacee James, OH, 6-1, Fr., HS, Castor, Alberta, Canada/Gus Welter
Savannah Laws, MB, 6-2, Fr., HS, Herriman, UT/Herriman
Caitlin Lonergan, OH, 6-, Fr., HS, Bozeman, MT/Bozeman
Sydney Mathison, S, 5-11, Fr., HS, Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista
Allyssa Rizzo, DS/L, 5-6, Fr., HS, Crestwood, IL/Marist
Katie Rutecki, S, 5-8, Jr., TR, Burbank, CA/John Burroughs/Canyons
Evi Wilson, OH, 5-11, Fr., HS, Vancouver, WA/Columbia River
Wednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
