Western Oregon Women’s Hoops Adds 5

Western Oregon returns four starters next season, including all-conference and all-west region selection Leada Berkey.

Danielle Wells Photo: WOU Athletics

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Second-year Western Oregon women’s basketball coach Greg Bruce has announced the signing of three high school standouts and two top transfers to add to the Wolves roster for the 2007-08 season.

Wearing Wolves uniforms next winter will be Danielle Wells (Southridge HS), Katie Torlund (Burns HS/Nebraska -Kearney), Whitney Chase (Oregon City HS) and Sara Zahler (Newberg).

Also making a major impact for WOU next year will be senior transfer Vanessa Wyffels, who played at NCAA Division I Wagner and at Willamette, and was a redshirt at WOU this past winter.

Danielle Wells, a 5-9 forward, was the team captain this year for three-time state champion Southridge High School.

She averaged nearly eight points a game and four rebounds a contest for the Skyhawks, who won the 6A title this year after winning the 4A crown the two years previous.

Wells was an honorable mention All-Metro League pick, shooting 53 percent from the field.

"Danielle is the ultimate team player who was a big contributor for Southridge in winning their third consecutive state championship,” said Bruce. “She enjoys competition, relishes playing defense, and has just the kind of attitude that will help turn our program around. She is a very accomplished passer from the high post who also has the ability to score inside against taller defenders. Any coach would enjoy working with Danielle; we are thrilled she chose to come to WOU."

Katie Torlund played this year at NCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney, averaging nearly five points a game for the nationally ranked Lopers.

The 5-10 forward shot 48 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line.

At Burns High School, she helped lead her team to the 3A state title in 2006, when the Highlanders went undefeated (30-0). Torlund was named to the state all-tournament team.

As a senior, the 5-10 guard/forward averaged 16 points and nine rebounds a game and shot 40 percent from three-point range. She was a two-time first team all-state selection, and a three-time all-league pick.

"We are extremely excited to add a player of Katie's caliber to our program,” Bruce commented. “She is very versatile, having the ability to play almost any position. She can score from anywhere on the court. Beyond that, she's an excellent passer and a tough rebounder. Her experience as a freshman at UNK, who lost to North Dakota in the regional championship, will really help us as we become more competitive in the GNAC. Katie has the ability to have a major impact on our program the minute she steps on campus."

Whitney Chase, a 5-11 guard/forward, was a co-captain for perennial power Oregon City this past year.

She averaged 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, shooting 56 percent from the field.

Chase was a first team All-Three Rivers League selection this year and was a second team state all-tournament pick.

She helped lead the Pioneers to three consecutive league titles during her career, while Oregon City placed third, second and sixth place at the state tournament.

"Whitney brings a wealth of big-time competitive experience to our program, having played in many high-level games against nationally ranked programs during her years at Oregon City,” Bruce said. “She is a competitive force around the basket and can score from both inside and out. Whitney understands the game extremely well and will be an important ingredient in the success of program."

Sara Zahler, a 5-9 guard/forward from Newberg, was the co-captain of her Tigers team last winter.

She averaged 17.3 points a game, sixth best in the state, and also pulled down 9.5 rebounds and dished three assists a contest. She scored 1,156 points during her career at Newberg and was selected to play in the Oregon/Washington Northwest Shootout.

She was a first team All-Pacific Conference selection this year, and a two-time Tigers Most Valuable Player.

"Sara is the epitome of a complete player,” Bruce stated. “She has the ability to do whatever is needed to help her team win. She's efficient at getting to the basket, which will enhance our up-tempo style of play. Defensively she plays bigger than she is because of her uncanny ability to get her hands on a lot of passes. Most of all, Sara will bring a hard-nosed mind set which will no doubt help our team be more competitive.”

Vanessa Wyffels redshirted this past season at Western Oregon after spending one season at Willamette and two at Division I Wagner in New York.

She spent her prep years at Central Catholic High School in Portland. At Willamette, she was a second team D-III All-American and broke the NCAA record for highest field goal percentage in a season (.742).

She averaged 19.1 points and 9.7 rebounds a game for the Bearcats. She was a two-year starter at Wagner, and at Central Catholic was a first team all-state selection.

She also was a first team state all-tournament pick, and set a tourney record by hitting all 11 of her field goal attempts in a game.

"Vanessa will give us a big-time low post threat which will compliment our outstanding guard play very well,” Bruce continued. “She is an extremely hard worker and absolutely does not like to finish any place but first. She is a born leader and will be a great role model for our younger players. Vanessa is very enthusiastic about having the opportunity to finish her career at WOU. We are extremely fortunate to have her in our program. She has the ability to help us in so many different ways."

Western Oregon returns four starters next season, including all-conference and all-west region selection Leada Berkey.

The Wolves compete in the very difficult Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Western Oregon is the only NCAA Division II school in the state of Oregon. The Wolves, a former national power at the NAIA level, have struggled since moving to Division II.

“We are pleased that these five student/athletes, all from the state of Oregon, have chosen to accept the challenge of putting this program back on the map,” Bruce summarized. "This is a very significant time for our program. Individually they each bring their own special talent; collectively they are extremely competitive, are all about winning, and are truly exceptional students. Their impact will definitely elevate the expectations of our program."

In 2007-08, Bruce will begin his 17th season as head college women’s basketball coach.

A member of the Portland State Hall of Fame, Bruce led the Vikings to a 199-89 record from 1987-96, and he has also had success at Northern Colorado, Cal State-Bakersfield and Fort Lewis. His career record is now 296-157.

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