Post by pedro el leon on Apr 9, 2007 0:55:10 GMT -5
hopefully she'll get her grades up there and become a Husky, she's an amazing athlete. judging by her comments it doesn't seem she's not capable of better grades(she sounds quite articulate,) I just think her motivation wasn't there in class:
www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/04/06/sports/local_state/109644.txt
R.A. Long High School (Longview, Wash.) standout Alyssa Wistrick spikes the ball earlier this season. Wistrick will play for the College of Southern Idaho volleyball team in the coming season.
Wistrick hopes to find her place at CSI
By Ben Zimmerman
The Daily News, Longview, Wash.
LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Cowlitz Volleyball Club was at the Denver Crossroads Tournament in March when an assistant from the nation's elite college volleyball program approached Cowlitz head coach Bill Marshall, frantic with excitement.
"We want that kid," the assistant for the defending national champion University of Washington Huskies told Marshall.
"That kid" was R.A. Long High School senior Alyssa Wistrick of Longview, Wash. And the UW coach's eyes weren't the only pair staring in amazement at the explosive outside hitter's exploits.
"I've had coaches from all over the country asking about her," Marshall said. "They literally line up."
Wistrick and her volleyball mentor both have high hopes that her athletic journey will some day reach the rarefied heights of big-time college volleyball.
The next step for Wistrick, however, is the College of Southern Idaho. As an academic non-qualifier, Wistrick was limited in her college options if she wanted to continue her volleyball career without interruption. By signing with two-year CSI on March 28, the three-time Greater St. Helens first-team all-leaguer believes she has laid the groundwork to realize her volleyball dreams.
"It feeds into Division I colleges everywhere," Wistrick said of CSI. "I'm getting a full ride. It is the only junior college I know of that has private tutors, and I'll have my own. They are known for taking kids that haven't had really good grades and turning out kids with great grades."
Wistrick will report to the Twin Falls campus on Aug. 4. She still has graduation and a busy summer of club ball ahead.
"I can't wait to go to college, meet new people," she said, "and do the darn thing."
Wistrick started playing volleyball in seventh grade. She said that the first day of tryouts at Cascade Middle School was the first time she picked up a volleyball.
"Thank goodness Miss (Janet) Amrine convinced me to try out," Wistrick said.
Wistrick blossomed into a force at the net, making huge contributions as a freshman middle blocker at Mark Morris High School in 2003. She led the team in kills during its only state tournament victory that fall, and went on to earn first-team all-league honors as a sophomore and a junior.
She transferred to R.A. Long prior to the 2006-07 school year and helped the Lumberjills repeat as league and district champions. Again, she was named to the GSHL first team.
But classwork has at times been as daunting for Wistrick as defending her high-flying attack has been for opponents. Also a basketball standout, Wistrick has missed portions of several basketball seasons due to academic ineligibility.
She sees college as a shot at redemption. And she is candid about her shortcomings.
"I think that the College of Southern Idaho will help me prioritize, and obviously I'm not very good at that," said Wistrick. "I'd rather hang out with my friends than do homework sometimes. I'm a huge procrastinator."
CSI specializes in the academic development of international athletes for whom English is not a first language, as well as in helping athletes who have encountered academic and off-field issues. One of the reasons that Marshall cultivated a mutual interest between the institution and Wistrick was because he knows CSI head coach Heidi Cartisser and her husband, a former club coach in the region.
"They are good volleyball people and I know them," said Marshall. "They are good people, period. They will take good care of her. They are accustomed to people with academic issues. Cowlitz has held Aly accountable and R.A. Long has held her accountable. She is a good kid with a good heart."
Wistrick's talent "is unbelievable," he added. "She is one of the top 50 players in the country. She has a ton of charisma, what I call her 'funky' side. I really hope that this will be an important stage in helping her to be a successful adult."
Wistrick said that Twin Falls reminds her of Longview. During a visit last October, she was impressed with the fan support at a women's basketball game.
"It's just a huge college town," she added. "Like Longview, but with more going on. I met one of their players and she was very nice. Heidi was great. I love her."
www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/04/06/sports/local_state/109644.txt
R.A. Long High School (Longview, Wash.) standout Alyssa Wistrick spikes the ball earlier this season. Wistrick will play for the College of Southern Idaho volleyball team in the coming season.
Wistrick hopes to find her place at CSI
By Ben Zimmerman
The Daily News, Longview, Wash.
LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Cowlitz Volleyball Club was at the Denver Crossroads Tournament in March when an assistant from the nation's elite college volleyball program approached Cowlitz head coach Bill Marshall, frantic with excitement.
"We want that kid," the assistant for the defending national champion University of Washington Huskies told Marshall.
"That kid" was R.A. Long High School senior Alyssa Wistrick of Longview, Wash. And the UW coach's eyes weren't the only pair staring in amazement at the explosive outside hitter's exploits.
"I've had coaches from all over the country asking about her," Marshall said. "They literally line up."
Wistrick and her volleyball mentor both have high hopes that her athletic journey will some day reach the rarefied heights of big-time college volleyball.
The next step for Wistrick, however, is the College of Southern Idaho. As an academic non-qualifier, Wistrick was limited in her college options if she wanted to continue her volleyball career without interruption. By signing with two-year CSI on March 28, the three-time Greater St. Helens first-team all-leaguer believes she has laid the groundwork to realize her volleyball dreams.
"It feeds into Division I colleges everywhere," Wistrick said of CSI. "I'm getting a full ride. It is the only junior college I know of that has private tutors, and I'll have my own. They are known for taking kids that haven't had really good grades and turning out kids with great grades."
Wistrick will report to the Twin Falls campus on Aug. 4. She still has graduation and a busy summer of club ball ahead.
"I can't wait to go to college, meet new people," she said, "and do the darn thing."
Wistrick started playing volleyball in seventh grade. She said that the first day of tryouts at Cascade Middle School was the first time she picked up a volleyball.
"Thank goodness Miss (Janet) Amrine convinced me to try out," Wistrick said.
Wistrick blossomed into a force at the net, making huge contributions as a freshman middle blocker at Mark Morris High School in 2003. She led the team in kills during its only state tournament victory that fall, and went on to earn first-team all-league honors as a sophomore and a junior.
She transferred to R.A. Long prior to the 2006-07 school year and helped the Lumberjills repeat as league and district champions. Again, she was named to the GSHL first team.
But classwork has at times been as daunting for Wistrick as defending her high-flying attack has been for opponents. Also a basketball standout, Wistrick has missed portions of several basketball seasons due to academic ineligibility.
She sees college as a shot at redemption. And she is candid about her shortcomings.
"I think that the College of Southern Idaho will help me prioritize, and obviously I'm not very good at that," said Wistrick. "I'd rather hang out with my friends than do homework sometimes. I'm a huge procrastinator."
CSI specializes in the academic development of international athletes for whom English is not a first language, as well as in helping athletes who have encountered academic and off-field issues. One of the reasons that Marshall cultivated a mutual interest between the institution and Wistrick was because he knows CSI head coach Heidi Cartisser and her husband, a former club coach in the region.
"They are good volleyball people and I know them," said Marshall. "They are good people, period. They will take good care of her. They are accustomed to people with academic issues. Cowlitz has held Aly accountable and R.A. Long has held her accountable. She is a good kid with a good heart."
Wistrick's talent "is unbelievable," he added. "She is one of the top 50 players in the country. She has a ton of charisma, what I call her 'funky' side. I really hope that this will be an important stage in helping her to be a successful adult."
Wistrick said that Twin Falls reminds her of Longview. During a visit last October, she was impressed with the fan support at a women's basketball game.
"It's just a huge college town," she added. "Like Longview, but with more going on. I met one of their players and she was very nice. Heidi was great. I love her."
