2005-06 Recruits

2005-06 Women's Volleyball Recruits

07-25-05 Roosevelt Senior Signs With Graceland Athletics

Kristen Tanabe, from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball and softball at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2005. Tanabe was an all-state honorable mention volleyball and softball player for the Rough Riders. She was also a volleyball second team OIA defensive specialist and a first team OIA softball player. "Kristen is a great athlete who will help us out as both an infielder and an outfielder,” says Don Stopa, head softball coach at Graceland University. "Kristen is a great runner who will be able to help us out at the top of our batting order and can steal some bases." Graceland’s women’s coach, Stew McDole, looks forward to Tanabe playing volleyball for the Yellowjackets this fall.

“Graceland volleyball has a long tradition of strong platform players from the islands,” says McDole. “Kristen seems sure to maintain and advance that heritage. She is not tall at 5’3, but she brings the sure passing and digging that only comes with long hours on the court and a major number of repetitions. Now that college volleyball has entered the age of the libero and the back row specialist, the platform player has joined the center stage. Most successful Graceland teams have been blessed with great ball control. It is my anticipation that Kristen will help to invest the future with that same blessing. We are really pleased to have her in our program.”

Kristen is the daughter of Dwight and Aileen and the sister to Bryan and Kelli. Kristen plans to major in elementary education at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

07-22-05 Hartnett Joins Graceland Women’s Volleyball Program

Lauren Hartnett has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for Stew McDole at Graceland University beginning in the fall of 2005. Hartnett is a 5-foot 6-inch setter from Camarillo, Calif. “Smidge” was the varsity starting setter and captain for the Moorpark High Musketeers for two years. In her senior season, Lauren was the best varsity offensive player at MHS and earned the Thomas Cochran scholarship to attend Graceland University. Her team placed second in the Royal varsity tournament, where Lauren was on the all-tournament team. Hartnett is a first team all-Marmonte league and honorable mention all-county player. She also was a Marmonte league all-star as a senior. During her junior season, Hartnett was the Daily News athlete of the week and a second team all-Marmonte league setter.

“Lauren comes from a strong volleyball family with long time ties to Graceland,” says McDole. “We are happy that her athletic and academic interests have resulted in a decision to become a Yellowjacket. She plays the setter position and has literally logged hundreds of hours in that role. The combination of school and club play has given her the chance to learn the skill set unique to the position. She shows strong leadership and makes good decisions on the court. Setters are never finished in their development, but Lauren has a good start on most of the tools. She will be an asset to our program and our campus. We are looking forward to her arrival this fall.”

Academically, Hartnett graduated with honors from MHS holding a 4.2 GPA and was on the principal’s honor roll all four years of high school. Lauren earned the governor’s scholarship award and was nominated for the Muskie Award, which is given to the best student-athlete at MHS. Hartnett is a member of National Honors Society.

Lauren is the daughter of Kevin and Carol and the sister to Kent. Lauren plans to enroll in the athletic training program at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Lauren’s father was recently inducted into the Yellowjacket Athletic Wall of Fame as a member of Graceland’s 1973 men’s volleyball national championship team.

07-20-05 McDole Signs California EYL All-League Player

Larissa Portillo, from Delano, Calif., has signed a letter of intent to play for Graceland University volleyball coach Stew McDole beginning in the fall of 2005. Portillo was an outside hitter and setter for Delano Joint Union High School, where she also played basketball and was on the track and field team. At 5-feet-8-inches, Portillo led the East Yosemite League in kills and aces and was an EYL All-League player. “Larissa is an outside hitter with a future,” says McDole. “She is a quality athlete who has worked hard to become a quality player. She is an outside hitter with a good vertical, a quick arm and aggressive play.”

“Rissa” was second in Kern County in kills and eleventh in aces during her senior year, along with being selected for the All-Star Sport Court of Central California Senior Volleyball Team. Portillo won the varsity offensive player award for volleyball her junior season, and she has played on the Kern River Volleyball club team for seven years. “Volleyball has been a passion that she has pursued in school and out,” continues McDole. “Her USA Volleyball club play has given her a chance to play against some of the best teams in the country and develop the kind of skill and mental toughness necessary to succeed at that level. We are delighted that Larissa has elected Graceland as her college choice.”

Portillo won the coaches award for basketball as a freshman and was an all-tournament player her sophomore year. In track and field, Portillo was the newcomer of the year her sophomore season. Portillo is an honor roll student and is a member of Black Student Union.

Larissa is the daughter of Lorenzo and Nellie and the sister to Lorenzo III and Michael. Larissa plans to study liberal arts at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

07-14-05 Jaime King Signs with Graceland Volleyball and Tennis

Jaime King, from Eugene, Ore., has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball and tennis at Graceland University during the 2005-06 school year. King was a 5-foot-5-inch defensive specialist and libero for the Irish of Henry D. Sheldon High School. King earned the rookie of the year award her freshman year and was a four-year varsity tennis player. At the district doubles tournament, she finished second her junior and senior years and fourth her sophomore season. Jaime reached the state quarterfinals in 2005 and was a state tennis participant three seasons. In 2005 Jaime was voted team captain and most inspirational.

Jaime earned the Child Development Student of the Year award, the certificate of advanced mastery in business and was an honors seal candidate. During high school, King was a member of Student Council, leadership for three years and National Honors Society two years. In her spare time, “Kinger” also coaches third and fourth grade volleyball teams.

Jaime is the daughter of Donald and Tracy and the sister to Lindsey. Jaime plans to study elementary education at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

07-14-05 Two-Sport Athlete Signs with Graceland Volleyball and Tennis

MacKenzie Fix, from Ridgefield, Wash., has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball and tennis at Graceland University during the 2005-06 seasons. Graceland Coach Stew McDole is eager to have the six-foot tall middle hitter on his volleyball team. “MacKenzie brings good physical tools and nice size to the volleyball court,” he says. “Her high school and club experiences have helped to develop the technical assets she needs to be successful in college. She has all the potential to make an important impact in our program. We are excited about her future in Graceland volleyball.”

Fix was the Ridgefield High School volleyball team MVP during her 2003 and 2004 seasons. Twice she was selected to the all-league first team, and was second team all region. In tennis, “Kenz” placed first at districts her junior and senior years in doubles and in her farewell season, Fix placed first at the regional tennis tournament.

Academically, MacKenzie was the high school student of the month and she received the American Association of University Women award for technology. Fix has been a member of FBLA, 4H and FFA throughout high school.

“MacKenzie is a two sport athlete and an excellent student,” says Coach McDole. “She will be an asset to our campus and make a great contribution in both volleyball and tennis.

MacKenzie is the daughter of Lisa Leonard and Bryan Fix and the sister to Kayla.

06-21-05 Blue Springs Grad Signs With Graceland Volleyball

Karly Bragaw, daughter of Kenneth and Ruth Bragaw of Blue Springs, Mo., has recently signed a letter of intent to play volleyball while attending Graceland University. Karly graduated with the 2005 class at Blue Springs High School. “Karly brings athleticism and thorough training to the court,” states Graceland’s volleyball coach, Stew McDole. “She is a sound fundamental player who will continue to improve. Her best volleyball is still in the future.”

Bragaw has had a long time passion for volleyball, an interest has been nurtured by five years of participation with school teams and seven years in out-of-school club programs. Her leadership and potential became clear under Coach Evan Manuel during her career as a junior varsity player. In that setting she was a team MVP and captain succeeding in every skill area. In the 2004 season she moved to the varsity and contributed to another strong Wildcat season under Head Coach, Charlie Bock. The team won both conference and district championships.

Sports outside of school have provided still another volleyball arena for Bragaw. She has played four years of competitive softball, but her continuing interest has been volleyball. Her efforts have included coaching elementary age players in the Blue Springs City Youth League for the past three years. She has played for teams within USA Volleyball Junior Club divisions. Always a starter, she has played in four national qualifying tournaments.

Twice she has competed in the Crossroads Qualifier Run by Front Range Volleyball of Denver and twice in the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis. Competitive ball has been a part of her life since the fifth grade.

“Karly really wants to play college volleyball,” notes McDole. "When you watch her on the court you see that sparkle in her eye that comes from passion and sheer enjoyment. Like most of us, she has not always achieved every goal she wanted in her athletic life, but she has demonstrated persistence and a continued commitment to this game and to her future in it. All the repetitions and the nurturing of Coach Manuel, Coach Bock and her club coaches have been absorbed. We are pleased to have her joining our program.”

Bragaw is planning a career in physical education at the secondary level for her academic focus in college. She will enter Graceland in the fall 2005 semester with the beginning of volleyball preseason in August.

Graceland has long been regarded as a pioneer supporter of women's athletics. The volleyball program has been a central element in that emphasis. Yellowjacket volleyball teams have been conference champions 13 times in the last 17 years and have consistently appeared in the national “Top 25” polls.

06-01-05 Rich Signs With Graceland

Photo courtesy of the Independence Examiner

Amy Rich, daughter of Larry and Julie Rich of Independence, Mo., has recently signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Graceland University in 2006. “Rich is our first ever junior signing,” says Coach Stew McDole. “Early commitments take a lot of pressure off the athlete and for that matter the coaches. Amy will be able to concentrate solely on her Truman team and her contribution to it next fall. We are excited about her future and proud that it will be blended with Graceland volleyball in August of 2006.”

Amy will be a fall 2005 senior at Truman High School where she is both an outstanding student and athlete. Rich is a 5-11 setter and right side hitter for the Patriots. She made the varsity as a freshman and started for the team as an outside hitter. Rich added her setting prowess to the Patriot mix as a sophomore and has since been a two year fixture in the lineup attacking from the front row and setting from the back. In both 2003 and 2004 she was all-district second team and honorable mention all-area. In 2004 she was also first team all-conference.

Rich has made time to hone her skills in non-school club settings within USA Volleyball circles as well. She has been a junior player since age 11. Club play has taken her to national qualifying tournaments in Tampa, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Denver. She has competed with teams in the Junior Olympic Championships in both Salt Lake City and Atlanta. 

Rich is a member of the National Honors Society and has been in the National Art Honor Society. Rich was a McCoy Medal Academic Award selection and is an academic letter winner. She has participated in marching, concert and pep bands throughout her high school years, and has been a grade school tutor through the Youth Friends program.

"Amy has had opportunities that many young players never get and she has capitalized on them," says Coach McDole. "She brings good size and athleticism to the court to match with great experience and a mature knowledge of the game. It’s a good mix. One that should spell “winner” for the future Patriot and Graceland teams that will share her services and leadership.”

Rich intends to study art and one of the science areas as her academic direction in college. She will join the freshman class at Graceland in the fall 2006 semester with the beginning of volleyball preseason in August.

04-01-05 McDole Adds Burlington Senior to Graceland Volleyball Team

Graceland Coach Stew McDole has added Burlington High School senior Marci Strandberg to the 2005 women’s volleyball team. Strandberg was an outside hitter her senior year, but has previously played middle hitter for the Grayhounds in Burlington, Iowa. At five-feet-ten-inches tall, Strandberg averaged 1.2 kills, 1.6 assists, 2.0 digs and served at 90.5 percent as a captain for the BHS team that went 13-15 last season. Marci was awarded the Gatorade Will to Win award by her coach, Brandon Kipp, for her performance with the Grayhounds.

“She is quite a good athlete who should advance quickly in the training setting we can offer,” says McDole. “Over time we have been able to blend success and fun in our program here. Marci is a good match to our philosophy; We are pleased that she is joining our program and look forward to her future.”

Strandberg has invested herself across a spectrum of school activities at BHS. She played two years in the band and has sung all four years in various school choirs. Those included freshman choir, Lyric, A Cappella, Jazz Choir and Commonly Unique. Marci is listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students: Sports Edition and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She is also on the academic honor roll of the Iowa girl’s High School Athletic Union.

Along with school activities, Marci has been active in her local church group. She sings in the church choir and plays piano for worship services. She has participated in a service trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. and served as a camp counselor.

Marci is the daughter of Suzan and Greg and the sister to Jason.

03-10-05 Graybill Signs With Graceland Volleyball

Shannon Graybill, from Coppell, Texas, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa) in the fall of 2005. Graybill is a five-foot-seven-inch outside hitter for Coppell High School. For the Cowboys, Graybill was the team’s most valuable defender and a team captain her junior and freshman years. “We have had many opportunities to see Shannon over the years,” says Graceland women’s volleyball coach Stew McDole. “She has been a participant in our camps and is a veteran of Spectacular. She brings good technical tools to the court and a love for the game. I think we have a program that will help her to maximize her physical capabilities as well. We will look forward to her development.”

Shannon is an honor roll student who participates in lacrosse, START, NEEDS Club, Student Council and is a children’s volunteer and a teacher’s aide.

Shannon is the daughter of Steve and Sharon and the sister to Kirsten and Matthew. Shannon is pictured with her grandparents, Bruce and Betty Graybill.