Willamette Volleyball Announces Recruiting Class for 2016 Season

Willamette Volleyball Announces Recruiting Class for 2016 Season
May 12, 2016

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University volleyball Head Coach Tom Shoji has announced his recruiting class for the 2016 season. The class includes a total of five freshmen. In addition, Larsen Fellows, who competed on the Willamette rowing team in the fall of 2015, will join the volleyball team in 2016.

The Bearcats finished the 2015 season with a 15-9 overall record and placed third in the Northwest Conference at 11-5. Willamette earned a 7-1 record at Cone Field House. It was Willamette's best season since 2004. Senior Sarah Fincher (OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.)  was named NWC Player of the Year, achieved First Team All-NWC recognition, and was chosen Honorable Mention All-West Region.

Here is Willamette's recruiting class for the 2016 volleyball season:

Jennifer Lane Jennifer Lane (Fr., 5'11", MH/OPP, Salinas, CA/Notre Dame HS) joins the Bearcats after playing at Notre Dame High School in California.

Lane helped Notre Dame win back-to-back Central Coast Section Division V Championships in 2014 and 2015. Last fall, Notre Dame finished 33-6 overall, including 10-2 in the MBL Gabilan Division. Lane earned 200 kills and 68 total blocks while playing in 106 sets.

Coach Shoji about Jennifer:

"She brings a lot of experience to our middle hitter position. She's very quick and dynamic, and should be able to help out right away. She has a lot of club volleyball experience. She should be be match ready when she arrives."

Kunani Tuttle Kunani Tuttle (Fr., 5'9", S/OPP, Anahola, HI/Kapaa HS) will be able to compete at setter or as an opposite for the Bearcats.

Tuttle earned 30 assists in the consolation final of the Hawaii Volleyball Division II State Tournament to help Kapaa High School defeat Hawaii Preparatory Academy, 2-1. Kapaa completed the season with a 13-4 overall record, including 11-3 in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation.

Coach Shoji about Kunani:

"She is coming to us from Kapaa HIgh School on the island of Kauai. She's a very smooth and accomplished setter and will have a great deal to contribute. She's athletics and will understand our system very quickly. She will make this one of the most stable positions."

Lauren Stiles Lauren Stiles (Fr., 5'10", OH, Altadena, CA/Flintridge Preparatory School) excelled as a high school player at Flintridge Prep. She helped Flintridge Prep tied for the Mission League title in 2013 and take second place in the league in 2014.

As a senior in 2015, Stiles registered 182 kills, 243 digs and 30 service aces in 66 sets played. She earned 41 digs in a 3-2 win over Alhambra High School. Stiles played in the 2015 West San Gabriel Valley All-Star Game. She recorded 202 kills as a freshman in 2012.

Coach Shoji about Lauren:

"Lauren is a six-rotation outside hitter who is expected to help at that position right away. She has extensive club volleyball experience that will make her transition to us very easy. She is already a primary passer and a good defensive player."

Kendall Fox Kendall Fox (Fr., 5'8", OH, Dupont, WA/Steilacoom HS) has quality skills as an outside hitter and also as a defensive player.

At Steilacoom High School, Fox contributed to an overall record of 17-3 during the 2015 season. She led the team with 179 kills and 51 aces, and was second with 228 digs. Steilacoom took second place in the 2A South Puget Sound League (SPSL).

Coach Shoji about Kendall:

"She is another six-rotation outside hitter who is a very good passer and defensive player. She could, if needed, become a very good libero. But she can attack on the outside very well. She'll make us a better passing and defensive team as well as give us another option to hit on the outside."

Madison Haley Madison Haley (Fr., 6'2", MH, Truckee, CA/Tahoe Truckee HS) will arrive at Willamette after playing for Tahoe-Truckee High School in California. As a senior, she produced 95 kills and 30 total blocks in 96 sets played.

Haley earned First Team All-League honors in Northern Division 1-A and was chosen Second Team All-State. She helped Tahoe Truckee claim a 26-9 record, including 16-0 in the Northern Division 1-A League. Truckee lost to Faith Lutheran 3-2 in the State Championship game in 2015 after reaching the State Tournament in 2014.

Coach Shoji about Madison:

"She is our tallest player ont he roster and is expected to help shore up the middle hitter position this fall. She hits the ball hard and has the height we need for her to really become a dominating blocker."

Larsen Fellows Larsen Fellows (So./Fr., 5'9", OH, Homer, AK/Homer High School) joins the Willamette volleyball team after competing for the Bearcat rowing team in the fall of 2015.

At Homer High School in Alaska, Fellows was named First team All-Southcentral Conference and First Team All-Region as a senior. She helped Homer win the Regional title and advance to the 2014 Class 3A State Tournament, where the team took fifth place.

Coach Shoji about Larsen:

"She has a great work ethic and will become a steady player for us. She' a little behind on things since she did not play volleyball last year, but with her work ethic, she'll be up to speed very quickly.