Women's Volleyball adds 12 new players

Coach Nicole Krause, head women’s volleyball coach, announced today, that Kristen Bladek, Maddy Cahoon, Jessica Callan, Paige Douglas, Marissa Headley, Darian Johnson, Jessica Lightner, Cara Murbach, Nicole Paridisa, Brianna Thomas, Kimberley Wayne, and Mallory Miller have all committed to play for the Wildcats beginning this fall. “I am thrilled with the addition of these 12 new players to the Wildcat women’s volleyball program. They join four returning players and will be relied upon to make immediate contributions.  Kristen, Jessica and Mallory have already had success at the collegiate level. These signings are a strong indication that the program is going forward in the right direction.”

Kristen Bladek transferred from Santa Monica College after spending one year there as their setter. Kristen played her high school volleyball for Monarch High School in Colorado. She played all four years in high school and was the captain for her high school team her junior and senior years. During that time her teams only lost two games during the season. During her club playing career all her teams finished in the top 15 teams within the Rocky Mountain region. She averaged approximately 12 assists per game.

Mallory Miller is a transfer student from Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado. She was the starting setter for their volleyball program. Mallory had over 1,000 assists in her two seasons there. Last year, in the Region 9 tournament, she had 39 assists in one match against McCook Community College.  She had a total of 392 digs and a 92% serving average during her career at Otero. Mallory has been a setter in both a 6-2 and 5-1 offense.  She is coming to JWU to achieve her career goals in strategic advertising.  She graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree from Otero Junior College.

Jessica Callan spent the last two years at Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) in Trinidad, CO.  She played as a setter and right side hitter at TSJC. During her freshman year she lead her team to a third place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region IX Division I tournament. Jessica was the team captain her sophomore year. She was a NJCAA Volleyball Division I Region IX All Academic Team member. Jessica was also an Academic All American maintaining a 3.78 grade point average. She graduated with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration. During her junior college career she had 407 assists and had a serving percentage of 93% earning 234 service points with 48 aces.

Maddy Cahoon graduated from Grossmont High School in El Cajon, CA. She played almost every position during her high school career. She was a team captain and during her junior and senior years her team advanced to the second round of the California state playoffs. She was named to the All-Academic League by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Paige Douglas was a four year varsity starter at Prairie View High School and was the team captain her last two years. She played multiple positions in high school. Her high school team went to districts all four years. Her awards are; 1st Team All Conference 09, All League Champs 09, All Conference 09, and Won 1st Place in the 2009 Coronado Classic.

Marissa Headley was a four year starter for her high school in volleyball. She earned all conference honors all four years. She was named MVP her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was the best offensive player in her sophomore and junior years. Marissa was named best defensive player for her freshman year. She was the Denver Post second team all state for 1A schools. She was named CHSCA all state and her team finished third in state her senior year. Academically she was NHS President, FBLA President, Student Council President, Academic All-State, and Student of the Year for her junior year.

Darian Johnson is a graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, CO. At Sterling High School, she played middle blocker, outside hitter and right side. Her senior year she was a varsity player and over her high school career she won a most improved player award.

Jessica Lightner will be a redshirt freshman this year. She comes from State College, PA and attended State College Area High School. She elected to forgo her high school senior year to start college early at JWU-Denver. In high school she played setter and outside hitter. She was the starting setter on her JV team her freshman and sophomore years. Her junior year she was the varsity starting setter leading the team in assists. She earned the “S” award in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She also received the Coaches Award her sophomore year for being an outstanding athlete, an overall great leader and for having the best serving percentage on the team.

Cara Murbach is a graduate of Battle Mountain High School in Avon, CO.  She played all four years of her high school career as a DS/Libero. She was a varsity player for three years and during her freshman year her team won the Colorado 4A state championship. Her sophomore year her team finished fifth in the 4A state tournament. She was an all conference player her senior year. Cara earned first team academic all state awards her last three years of high school. She played club volleyball with Colorado Performance.

Nicole Paradisa graduated in 2009 from Hoehne High School in Hoehne, CO. Nicole was a multiple sport letter winner. She played varsity volleyball all four years and earned All-Conference honors all four years. She was also a two-time All-State performer leading her team to back to back State titles. She also lettered in basketball all four years of high school and was a three time All-Conference pick in basketball. She a basketball Honorable Mention selection her junior year and led her team to the State tournament in 2009. She also lettered in soccer.

Brianna Thomas is a transfer from Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami campus. She started playing volleyball in her sophomore year of high school. Her sophomore year she was the JV captain and won the MVP trophy. Through hard work she was a varsity player her junior and senior years. She played both outside hitter and libero winning the Coach’s Award her junior year. She was the team captain her senior year and the team took first place in the Mojave Tournament.  She earned the Coach's Award, Most Improved, Defensive Queen, and MVP her senior year.

Kimberley Wayne will be a redshirt freshman this year. She elected to forgo her high school senior year to start college early at JWU-Denver.  She played two years of high school volleyball and was the team captain/co-captain both years. Kimberley held a consistent 95% serving average, 80% passing average, and a 70% kills/hitting average during her high school career. She played club volleyball and was the team captain/co-captain on her club teams. She has participated in college camps at UCLA, UNLV, and Dixie State College.