Liskevych Puts Finishing Touches on First Recruiting Class

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Four more student-athletes officially declared their intent to join the 2006-07 Oregon State team, announced head coach Terry Liskevych, Tuesday.

Camilla Ah-Hoy (Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku HS), Rachel Rourke (Aroona, Queensland, Australia/Caloundra HS), Ali Walker (Troutdale, Ore./Reynolds HS) and Tricia Yoshimura (Waipahu, Hawaii/Hawaii Baptist Academy HS) are set to join the Beavers in the fall.

“This class of recruits improves our height immediately,” said Liskevych. “We have already got the beginnings of a foundation in place, but this is the next layer of the foundation to build this program to become great. I believe that this class will turn out to be very good and all of these young women have the potential to start for us next year and certainly will receive a lot of playing time.”

Ah-Hoy, a 5-10 setter/outside hitter, is currently a senior at Kahuku High in Laie, Hawaii and also plays for North Shore Volleyball Club. In 2005, Ah-Hoy, a cousin of OSU football player Al Afalava, was named Player of the Year in the O’ahu Interscholastic Association’s Eastern Division. Ah-Hoy is a versatile player having spent time as a setter and also as an outside hitter for the Red Raiders.

“Camilla could fill several roles for us,” said Liskevych. “We’ll look at her as a 5-1 setter, as a 6-2 setter (type of offenses) and also at outside hitter. We will assess very early what the best role will be for her, but we are counting on her to help solidify the setting position.”

Rourke, a 6-5 outside hitter, has already graduated from Caloundra High in Aroona, Queensland, and is finishing academic requirements to be admitted to Oregon State. Rourke has extensive international experience for the Australian national and junior national teams. Rourke has ties to Oregon State having been coached by OSU assistant when he was the head coach of the Australian national team.

“We are looking for Rachel to come in and be our ‘go to’ outside hitter,” said Liskevych. “Judging from her past performance, she could blossom to be very good at the Pac-10 level.”

Walker and Yoshimura add to the competition for playing time at libero and defensive specialist. Walker, a 5-7 libero, is currently a senior at Reynolds High in Troutdale, Ore. and also plays for the NIKE Northwest Juniors club team. Walker played as an outside hitter for her high school team but plays libero for her club squad.

“Ali is a good athlete,” said Liskevych. “She’ll work hard to earn playing time at the libero and defensive specialist positions.”

Yoshimura, a 5-3 libero, is currently a senior at Hawaii Baptist Academy High in Waipahu, Hawaii and also plays for Jammers Volleyball Club.

“I really believe that Tricia will come in and challenge for the libero spot,” said Liskevych. “She is a multi-talented athlete with a good blend of skills for the libero position.”

2006-07 Oregon State Volleyball Newcomers

* Camilla Ah-Hoy – (Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku HS/North Shore Volleyball Club)

* Katie Cochran – (Woodburn, Ore./McNary HS/Portland Volleyball Club)

* Bree Knitter – (Fallbrook, Calif./Fallbrook HS/Vintage Volleyball Club)

* Caitlyn McCall – (Gresham, Ore./Gresham HS/Nike NW Juniors)

* Lexie Rathgeber – (Surrey, B.C./Elgin Park Secondary/Fraser Volleyball Club)

* Rachel Rourke – (Aroona, Queensland, Australia/Caloundra HS)

* Ali Walker – (Troutdale, Ore./Reyolds HS/NIKE Northwest Juniors)

* Tricia Yoshimura – (Waipahu, Hawaii/Hawaii Baptist Academy HS/ Jammers Volleyball Club)