Sawatzky Completes OSU Volleyball Recruiting Class

Sawatzky led her U-17 Manitoba Provincial Team to a Canadian Elite championship.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Jill Sawatzky has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Oregon State volleyball program in the fall, head coach Taras Liskevych announced Wednesday.

Sawatzky, a 6-0, outside hitter from St. Andrews, Manitoba, Canada is currently a senior at Lord Selkirk Secondary and also plays for Club West.

Last fall, Sawatzky led her high school team to its third consecutive Provincial AAAA championship and her second Provincial Championship MVP in a row.

She also led her U-17 Manitoba Provincial Team to a Canadian Elite championship and was named a Canadian Elite Championship all-star.

In 2005, her Manitoba Provincial team won the Western Canadian Elite Championship and she earned tournament MVP.

“Jill is a very good player in several skill areas,” said Liskevych. “She has a variety of shots as an outside hitter, and she is also a good blocker and a strong passer. I really like her poise, she has been a winner at every level and she never makes the same mistake twice. She will really complement our team and what we need.“

An all-around athlete, Sawatzky played softball and basketball and competed in track & field until 2003.

In 2006, Sawatzky became the first player ever to be chosen as the No. 1 player in the province by the Winnipeg Sun Coaches Poll two consecutive years.

Sawatzky is expected to be the last of five additions to the 2007-08 roster for the Beavers.

She joins incoming freshmen Kaitlan Locke and Kiersten Sambrailo, who committed to Oregon State during the fall signing period, and a pair of transfers Lauren Rinderknecht and K.C. Walsh, who signed financial aid agreements this spring.

2007-08 Oregon State Volleyball Recruiting Class

Kaitlan Locke – Fr., 5-11, S, West Linn, Ore./West Linn HS

Lauren Rinderknecht – Jr., 5-11, OH, Santa Barbara, Calif./Miami (Fla.)/San Marcos HS

Kiersten Sambrailo – Fr., 6-0, MB/OH, Watsonville, Calif./Aptos HS

Jill Sawatzky – Fr., 6-0, OH, St. Andrews, Manitoba, Canada/Lord Selkirk Secondary

K.C. Walsh – Jr., 5-10, S, Saratoga, Calif./Loyola Marymount/Archbishop Mitty HS

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