Spikers move on

By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Thursday, March 26, 2009 7:17 PM AKDT

WASILLA — Kelsie Cline found a school to fit her position. Danielle Harris found a position to fit her new school. Now both are preparing to start their careers as college volleyball players.

Cline and Harris, a pair of Wasilla High School seniors, signed their National Letters of Intent to play college volleyball during a ceremony at WHS on Tuesday.

Cline, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, is headed for Bluefield College in Bluefield, Va. Harris, an outside hitter turned libero, is bound for the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont.

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Cline started her search for a college volleyball program by scanning the Internet, looking for teams in need of a middle hitter. She found Bluefield, and after visiting the small Christian liberal arts school located in the western corner of Virginia, Cline decided Bluefield was the place for her.

“I just fit in better there,” said Cline, who was named All-Northern Lights Conference as a senior.

Cline actually first hit the court as a basketball player when she was younger, but as a freshman at Wasilla High, Cline decided to make the switch to volleyball.

“I still like playing basketball, but I enjoy volleyball more,” Cline said. “I see myself going further with volleyball.”

Toward the end of her sophomore year, Cline said, she started to see the thought of playing collegiate volleyball become a more realistic opportunity. She continued to play with the Warriors and at the club level with the Alaska Volleyball Association.

Cline made a handful of trips with AVA, traveling to Reno, Nev., and Las Vegas, Nev., for major tournaments.

Harris also plays club volleyball with Cline, and like Cline, Harris credited her time with AVA as a major reason she has the chance to hit the court at the next level.

Initially, Great Falls was just one of a number of schools interested in Harris, the WHS senior said. Soon into a budding relationship with the UGF coaching staff, Harris was offered a spot on the Argos squad.

Harris said she wanted to sort through other possibilities. She was interested in schools from West Virginia, Michigan and California, but after conferring with family, Harris decided that Great Falls was the right fit for her.

Harris played primarily on the outside at the high school level, but will be moving to libero in college. The versatile athlete does have experience at the position. She saw time at setter, libero and outside hitter with her club team.

“I can pretty much play anywhere on the court they want me to play,” Harris said.

Great Falls is an NAIA squad that competes in the Frontier Conference. The Argos finished 15-13 overall and 9-5 in conference play last season.

Harris is not the first Wasilla athlete to attend Great Falls. Former soccer standout Jimmy Sliwa is a freshman on the UGF men’s soccer squad.

Like Harris, Cline will also be competing on the NAIA courts. Bluefield competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

Last season, Bluefield was second in the AAC at 16-2 in conference play and 27-9 overall.

Harris will study business at Great Falls, while Cline will study criminal justice at Bluefield.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Comments

9 comment(s)

    Alan Erin Cline wrote on Mar 30, 2009 4:59 PM:

    " We're proud of you Paul Bunyon! We still think you would have made a heck of a Wildcat though! Kelsie dominates!!! "

    Grandpa Gramma Janice wrote on Mar 30, 2009 4:59 PM:

    " We're so proud of you! We have no doubt that whatever dreams you decide to follow, you'll make them come true due to your deep faith, beautiful positive outlook on life, and caring nature for those around you . Reach for the stars -they're yours! P.S. At least Virginia is closer to us than Alaska!!!!

    Love you lots! "

    Lidija Jess Umphenour wrote on Mar 30, 2009 3:40 PM:

    " Hey Kelsie, we have seen you grow up from a little girl to this amazing young woman. You are such a great person with a great heart and on top of it, a heck of a player. Have fun at college. And congratulations to you too Danielle. "

    Ed Connors wrote on Mar 30, 2009 9:10 AM:

    " My wife Jen and I have known Danielle since she was 3 and to see her grow up into a successful young lady makes me very proud of her. Jen and I will be looking forward to seeing Danielle advancement in the college realm. Good Job Danny!!! "

    Mom and Dad wrote on Mar 30, 2009 9:00 AM:

    " Congratulations Kelsie. We so very proud of you. You will be missed at home as you go on to your next chapter in life. I know you will do well and go far. We love you "

    Larry Kay Cole wrote on Mar 29, 2009 7:56 PM:

    " Congratulations Danielle, we are very proud for you. If you let us know your volleyball schedule we would love to come watch you play and maybe your Grandma & Grandpa Herndon will come with us. Love, Uncle Larry & Auntie Kay "

    Randy and Vickie Ward wrote on Mar 29, 2009 6:04 PM:

    " Yeah Danielle. We are excited and proud of you. Congratulations on your scholarship in Great Falls. Keep up the good work. "

    Grandma Grandpa Herndon wrote on Mar 28, 2009 10:05 AM:

    " We could not be prouder of these young players, although we might be a wee bit partial to our granddaughter, Danielle Harris. Our sincere congradulations to these two young ladies and great volleyball players. "

    Angie Johnson wrote on Mar 27, 2009 12:44 PM:

    " I am so proud of both of you. Both schools are not only lucky to get great athletes bust also great kids !!!!! Congrats on all of your hard work and dedication paying off, I look forward to following your career at the next level. "

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