Wildcat Volleyball Inks Two-Time Class 4A Player Of The Year

May 17, 2005

Contact: Jonathan Gordon (509-963-1485/fax 509-963-2351/e-mail: gordonj@cwu.edu) Athletic Web Site: www.wildcatsports.com

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Rachael Schurman, who led Spokane's Mead High School to consecutive WIAA Class 4A state championships and has been selected as the Class 4A state Player of the Year each of the past two years, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her career at CentralWashington University beginning this fall, CWU head coach Mario Andaya announced on Tuesday.

Schurman, a 6-foot middle blocker, was a four-year letter winner in volleyball for the Panthers. She was chosen as the Most Valuable Player in the state of Washington for her classification during both her junior and senior seasons, helping take Mead to two state titles.

Rachael's addition will add immediate depth for next season and a promising future for our front line," Andaya said. "She is a gifted student-athlete, but what is even more impressive is that she is an extremely intelligent volleyball player. She knows what production is needed from her position and how that maximizes her team's system, and this understanding has made her a valued teammate and an impact player.

"Not many players in the state can match the consistency and the success she has had the past few seasons. We are fortunate to add such a proven winner to our program."

Schurman, who was also selected as one of the top 150 prep volleyball players in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, was the Greater Spokane League Player of the Year during the 2003 season and earned first team all-league honors each of her final two campaigns. She was an honorable mention choice during her sophomore season.

Andaya expects to add one or two more players to the 2005 roster during the late signing period. The Wildcats added outside hitter Lauren Vercammen of Bellingham's Squalicum High School during the early signing period in November.

Central Washington loses just one senior from its 2004 squad that posted a 26-1 record, claiming its first-ever Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Division II Tournament berth in the process.