Volleyball completes 2019 class with addition of Wallingford
4/19/2019 11:17:00 AM | Volleyball
The Griz volleyball coaching staff has been busy on the recruiting trail, traveling across North America looking for the future of Montana volleyball. The Grizzlies recently added their newest member, with Alicia Wallingford taking a visit and joining the program.
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Wallingford is the seventh addition to the 2019 roster, joining Isabelle Garrido (DS from Issaquah, Wash.), Lexie Gleasman (OH from Chelan, Wash.), Amethyst Harper (OH from Fresno, Calif.), Kelly Horning (MB from Post Falls, Idaho), Isabel List (OPP from Wasilla, Alaska) and Catie Semadeni (OH from Fort Collins, Colo.). The class is the first recruited entirely by Allison Lawrence and her staff, who was elevated to head coach in 2017 after seven years as an assistant coach in the program.
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"We have a large class coming in, which we're really excited about," Lawrence said. "We feel good about the players we brought in – athletically, academically and as people."
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Wallingford, the newest addition, will graduate from Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Wash., next month. The 6-0 middle blocker is a two-time all-state player, earning first-team recognition in 2018.
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During her senior season, Wallingford recorded 153 kills (1.9 per set), doing so on .282 hitting, nearly double her average from her junior season. During her three-year varsity career, playing primarily as a middle blocker, she totaled 286 kills, also adding 155 blocks and 59 service aces.
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She helped the Chieftains to a 17-9 record in 2018, winning a district title and advancing to the semifinals of the Washington 2A state tournament.
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It was with NW Reign Volleyball, though, that the Grizzlies first noticed Wallingford.
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Looking for a middle blocker to finalize their class, the Grizzlies were first struck by Wallingford's maturity on the court.
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"We watched her play in several big tournaments, and regardless of how her team was doing, her work ethic, her presence on the court and her commitment and discipline were always constant," Lawrence said.
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The Grizzlies liked her athletic ability, particularly her techniques and her blocking instincts, but it was when they got to know her that they realized the full impact she could have on the program. Wallingford is a three-time WIAA Student-Athlete and has earned two varsity academic letters.
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"We were struck by how mature she was and how thoroughly she went through the recruiting process," Lawrence said. "She did a lot of research on Montana and really impressed us with how clear her vision was for what she wanted in her experience.
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"The more we talked to her, the more we realized this was a person we wanted in our program."
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Montana had a breakthrough season in 2018, qualifying for the Big Sky tournament for the first time since 2014. The Grizzlies return four letterwinners, in addition to three players who redshirted in 2018, but will also rely heavily on some of the incoming class.
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"Alicia has a lot of potential, and with her work ethic, I think her potential can be realized and she can thrive here," Lawrence said.
High School: Will be a 2019 graduate of Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Wash. … Earned first-team All-Greater St. Helens League honors as a senior in 2018… Named all-league honorable mention in 2017… Was twice named all-state, including first-team recognition in 2018… Was a captain as both a junior and senior… Helped the Chieftains to a District IV championship in 2018, advancing to the semifinals of the Washington 2A state tournament… Finished her career with 286 kills, 155 blocks and 59 service aces… Also earned two varsity letters in track & field… Head volleyball coach was Breanne Smedley… Played club volleyball for NW Reign… Earned two varsity academic letters and was named a WIAA Student-Athlete three times.
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Personal: Born in Vancouver, Wash. … Parents are Terry and Kari Wallingford… Has a younger brother, Jared… Undecided on a major.
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Wallingford is the seventh addition to the 2019 roster, joining Isabelle Garrido (DS from Issaquah, Wash.), Lexie Gleasman (OH from Chelan, Wash.), Amethyst Harper (OH from Fresno, Calif.), Kelly Horning (MB from Post Falls, Idaho), Isabel List (OPP from Wasilla, Alaska) and Catie Semadeni (OH from Fort Collins, Colo.). The class is the first recruited entirely by Allison Lawrence and her staff, who was elevated to head coach in 2017 after seven years as an assistant coach in the program.
Â
"We have a large class coming in, which we're really excited about," Lawrence said. "We feel good about the players we brought in – athletically, academically and as people."
Â
Wallingford, the newest addition, will graduate from Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Wash., next month. The 6-0 middle blocker is a two-time all-state player, earning first-team recognition in 2018.
Â
During her senior season, Wallingford recorded 153 kills (1.9 per set), doing so on .282 hitting, nearly double her average from her junior season. During her three-year varsity career, playing primarily as a middle blocker, she totaled 286 kills, also adding 155 blocks and 59 service aces.
Â
She helped the Chieftains to a 17-9 record in 2018, winning a district title and advancing to the semifinals of the Washington 2A state tournament.
Â
It was with NW Reign Volleyball, though, that the Grizzlies first noticed Wallingford.
Â
Looking for a middle blocker to finalize their class, the Grizzlies were first struck by Wallingford's maturity on the court.
Â
"We watched her play in several big tournaments, and regardless of how her team was doing, her work ethic, her presence on the court and her commitment and discipline were always constant," Lawrence said.
Â
The Grizzlies liked her athletic ability, particularly her techniques and her blocking instincts, but it was when they got to know her that they realized the full impact she could have on the program. Wallingford is a three-time WIAA Student-Athlete and has earned two varsity academic letters.
Â
"We were struck by how mature she was and how thoroughly she went through the recruiting process," Lawrence said. "She did a lot of research on Montana and really impressed us with how clear her vision was for what she wanted in her experience.
Â
"The more we talked to her, the more we realized this was a person we wanted in our program."
Â
Montana had a breakthrough season in 2018, qualifying for the Big Sky tournament for the first time since 2014. The Grizzlies return four letterwinners, in addition to three players who redshirted in 2018, but will also rely heavily on some of the incoming class.
Â
"Alicia has a lot of potential, and with her work ethic, I think her potential can be realized and she can thrive here," Lawrence said.
About Wallingford…Welcome to #GrizVB, @awallingford13! #GoGriz
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) April 19, 2019
📰 https://t.co/raNSEPdqqj pic.twitter.com/JVKm7h5AKu
High School: Will be a 2019 graduate of Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Wash. … Earned first-team All-Greater St. Helens League honors as a senior in 2018… Named all-league honorable mention in 2017… Was twice named all-state, including first-team recognition in 2018… Was a captain as both a junior and senior… Helped the Chieftains to a District IV championship in 2018, advancing to the semifinals of the Washington 2A state tournament… Finished her career with 286 kills, 155 blocks and 59 service aces… Also earned two varsity letters in track & field… Head volleyball coach was Breanne Smedley… Played club volleyball for NW Reign… Earned two varsity academic letters and was named a WIAA Student-Athlete three times.
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Personal: Born in Vancouver, Wash. … Parents are Terry and Kari Wallingford… Has a younger brother, Jared… Undecided on a major.
Players Mentioned
DS
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OH
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OH
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MB
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RS
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OH/OPP
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MB
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