Five Signed to Behonick's First Class
November 08, 2023 | Women's Volleyball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Lindsey Behonick, the head volleyball coach, has announced five signees to her inaugural recruiting class on Wednesday.
Zaria Thornton
Middle Blocker • Carson, Calif. • Lakewood HS
A four-year varsity player, Zaria Thornton has helped lead her Lakewood (Calif.) prep team to a pair of Moore League titles and consecutive appearances in the state quarterfinals. The middle blocker has been twice named an all-league player (2022, 2023). Earlier this season, she tallied 16-and-17-kill performances as well as recording a .481 hitting percentage. In 2022, she made the all-tournament team after the Mira Costa/Redondo tournament. Working just as hard in the classroom, she has been named to the Principal's Honor Roll every year in high school. Most recently, she was awarded an Under Armour invite in 2023.
Coach Behonick on Zaria:
"Zaria knows what it means to work hard. Even since the time she committed to OSU, she has elevated her play and increased her range of attacking on offense. She is versatile in her position, explosive off the ground, and a born competitor. Her love for the game and desire to always get better are two qualities that will take her to new heights during her college career. I am confident Zaria will anchor our front row in big ways, and she will spur on others around her due to her effort and drive."
Alondra Paz
Libero • Woodburn, Ore. • Woodburn HS
Staying in state, Paz – a six-rotation outside hitter - will venture south from Woodburn to join the Beavers. She was named as a "Player to Watch" in Sports Illustrated's Oregon watchlist in 2021 among 4A student-athletes. She has been a standout player - a two-time MVP, more specifically – for the Portland-based Athena Volleyball Club.
Coach Behonick on Alondra:
"What excites me most about Alondra is she knows how to compete and win. She elevates the play of those around her just by her presence. She is relentless on defense, makes the hard rallies look simple, and keeps her team steady by anchoring the back row. Her inclusive personality brings out the best in others on and off the court, and I really see her ability to observe a room and read what a team needs to be something that will help lead our team in the years to come."
Regan Shields
Outside Hitter • Ladera Ranch, Calif. • Santa Margarita HS
A standout on Santa Margarita High, Shields has totaled nearly 300 kills and 200 digs this season as she's appeared in almost 100 sets. In a match last month, she put up a 30-kill, .344 clip performance against a rival squad. She just recently won the Tesoro Tournament with her high school team and also competed in the Ann Kang Invitational during her junior year.
Competing with A4 Volleyball Club in her 16s year, she was a big part of why her team won the Red Rock Rave tournament to qualify for nationals.
Coach Behonick on Regan:
"Regan is the type of athlete that is loyal, bought in, and determined. Her optimism and joy, evident in her life on and off the court, are the intangibles that help make a program successful. She is a creative player with the skills in all aspects of the game, making her a complete all-around volleyball player. Her athleticism combined with experience at high levels in her school and club careers will continue to help take OSU Volleyball to new heights."
Emma Lilo
Setter • Kailua, Hawaii • Kamehameha HS
A captain and two-time letterwinner at Kamehameha High School, Lilo has led her team to the ILH D1 Varsity championship and three trips to the state tournament. She has been a regular on the academic honor roll, appearing on it all throughout high school. In club play, she captained the Ku'ikahi Volleyball Club in the 2022-23 season on the way to a fifth-place finish at the JVA World Challenge before starting her 18s season with a first-place performance at the 2023 Aloha Summer Classic and a second-place finish at the 2023 AAU TransPacific Tournament.
Coach Behonick on Emma:
"From the moment I saw Emma play, I knew she needed to be at Oregon State. She is a natural athlete and a setter who really puts her hitters in great positions to score. Her knowledge of the game and awareness of how to run an offense are two big reasons why I enjoy watching her play. I admire Emma's humility and poise on and off the court – two great qualities needed in a setter, and know she will thrive at Oregon State."
Alexis Rodriguez
Outside Hitter • Mililani, Hawaii • Mililani HS
An outside hitter for Mililani High School, Rodriguez has tallied a strong senior season for the Trojans on the way to clinching the D1 OIA title with a 13-0 record. In 2022, she was tabbed as the OIA Player of the Year in addition to being named to the All-OIA squad and West Impact Player of the Year. In her prep career, she has garnered nine total OC16 Honda Impact Player Awards. In her junior year, she tallied 194 kills, 126 digs, 28 aces, 15 blocks, six assists – ranking number one in Hawaii in kills and a ninth-overall player ranking in the state.
Coach Behonick on Alexis:
"Alexis is a team player with a lot of skill. It's hard to not focus on her while watching because she makes so many standout plays in the big and small moments over a match. Her enthusiasm and joy for the game and evident while playing, as she is someone that always celebrates the good of the group. She is a natural leader – someone who will add in big ways to the culture of our team on and off the court."
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS)
Zaria Thornton
Middle Blocker • Carson, Calif. • Lakewood HS
A four-year varsity player, Zaria Thornton has helped lead her Lakewood (Calif.) prep team to a pair of Moore League titles and consecutive appearances in the state quarterfinals. The middle blocker has been twice named an all-league player (2022, 2023). Earlier this season, she tallied 16-and-17-kill performances as well as recording a .481 hitting percentage. In 2022, she made the all-tournament team after the Mira Costa/Redondo tournament. Working just as hard in the classroom, she has been named to the Principal's Honor Roll every year in high school. Most recently, she was awarded an Under Armour invite in 2023.
From ???????????? to ??????????????????, Zaria's officially a Beav! ?? pic.twitter.com/Qha7A7cDDD
— Oregon State Volleyball (@BeaverVBall) November 8, 2023
Coach Behonick on Zaria:
"Zaria knows what it means to work hard. Even since the time she committed to OSU, she has elevated her play and increased her range of attacking on offense. She is versatile in her position, explosive off the ground, and a born competitor. Her love for the game and desire to always get better are two qualities that will take her to new heights during her college career. I am confident Zaria will anchor our front row in big ways, and she will spur on others around her due to her effort and drive."
Alondra Paz
Libero • Woodburn, Ore. • Woodburn HS
Staying in state, Paz – a six-rotation outside hitter - will venture south from Woodburn to join the Beavers. She was named as a "Player to Watch" in Sports Illustrated's Oregon watchlist in 2021 among 4A student-athletes. She has been a standout player - a two-time MVP, more specifically – for the Portland-based Athena Volleyball Club.
?????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ?????????? ??
— Oregon State Volleyball (@BeaverVBall) November 8, 2023
Welcome, Alondra! pic.twitter.com/sNycKk4DOd
Coach Behonick on Alondra:
"What excites me most about Alondra is she knows how to compete and win. She elevates the play of those around her just by her presence. She is relentless on defense, makes the hard rallies look simple, and keeps her team steady by anchoring the back row. Her inclusive personality brings out the best in others on and off the court, and I really see her ability to observe a room and read what a team needs to be something that will help lead our team in the years to come."
Regan Shields
Outside Hitter • Ladera Ranch, Calif. • Santa Margarita HS
A standout on Santa Margarita High, Shields has totaled nearly 300 kills and 200 digs this season as she's appeared in almost 100 sets. In a match last month, she put up a 30-kill, .344 clip performance against a rival squad. She just recently won the Tesoro Tournament with her high school team and also competed in the Ann Kang Invitational during her junior year.
Competing with A4 Volleyball Club in her 16s year, she was a big part of why her team won the Red Rock Rave tournament to qualify for nationals.
?????? things to come for Regan here in Corvallis! pic.twitter.com/QFf5lnauSu
— Oregon State Volleyball (@BeaverVBall) November 9, 2023
Coach Behonick on Regan:
"Regan is the type of athlete that is loyal, bought in, and determined. Her optimism and joy, evident in her life on and off the court, are the intangibles that help make a program successful. She is a creative player with the skills in all aspects of the game, making her a complete all-around volleyball player. Her athleticism combined with experience at high levels in her school and club careers will continue to help take OSU Volleyball to new heights."
Emma Lilo
Setter • Kailua, Hawaii • Kamehameha HS
A captain and two-time letterwinner at Kamehameha High School, Lilo has led her team to the ILH D1 Varsity championship and three trips to the state tournament. She has been a regular on the academic honor roll, appearing on it all throughout high school. In club play, she captained the Ku'ikahi Volleyball Club in the 2022-23 season on the way to a fifth-place finish at the JVA World Challenge before starting her 18s season with a first-place performance at the 2023 Aloha Summer Classic and a second-place finish at the 2023 AAU TransPacific Tournament.
?????????????? up to be an important piece to the team!
— Oregon State Volleyball (@BeaverVBall) November 8, 2023
Welcome, Emma ?? pic.twitter.com/AyHSbiY76V
Coach Behonick on Emma:
"From the moment I saw Emma play, I knew she needed to be at Oregon State. She is a natural athlete and a setter who really puts her hitters in great positions to score. Her knowledge of the game and awareness of how to run an offense are two big reasons why I enjoy watching her play. I admire Emma's humility and poise on and off the court – two great qualities needed in a setter, and know she will thrive at Oregon State."
Alexis Rodriguez
Outside Hitter • Mililani, Hawaii • Mililani HS
An outside hitter for Mililani High School, Rodriguez has tallied a strong senior season for the Trojans on the way to clinching the D1 OIA title with a 13-0 record. In 2022, she was tabbed as the OIA Player of the Year in addition to being named to the All-OIA squad and West Impact Player of the Year. In her prep career, she has garnered nine total OC16 Honda Impact Player Awards. In her junior year, she tallied 194 kills, 126 digs, 28 aces, 15 blocks, six assists – ranking number one in Hawaii in kills and a ninth-overall player ranking in the state.
?????????? ?????????? ?? ???????????? ??????????
— Oregon State Volleyball (@BeaverVBall) November 9, 2023
Welcome to the family, Alexis! pic.twitter.com/iA4XddpaJY
Coach Behonick on Alexis:
"Alexis is a team player with a lot of skill. It's hard to not focus on her while watching because she makes so many standout plays in the big and small moments over a match. Her enthusiasm and joy for the game and evident while playing, as she is someone that always celebrates the good of the group. She is a natural leader – someone who will add in big ways to the culture of our team on and off the court."
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS)
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