Nov. 22, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University volleyball coach Diane Flick has announced the signing of libero Allison Gotz from Archbishop Murphy High School to a national letter of intent during the early signing period.

Gotz was the Everett Herald Player of the Year as a senior, helping the Wildcats to a 14-4 record and the school's first Class 2A state tournament appearance.

"She's the true definition of a student-athlete," said Western coach Diane Flick. "We're adding to our defensive corps and looking to keep that line of All-America liberos going ... Bill Neville (Flick's coach at the University of Washington), who has coached at the Olympic level, calls her `the real deal,' and that's high praise indeed."

A first-team all-Area and all-Cascade Conference selection for the second straight year, Gotz established school records for digs in a match (29), season (228) and career.

Gotz received Associated Press all-State honorable mention as a junior. Western, which had no seniors, finished 18-7, losing to eventual NCAA Division II Pacific Regional champion UC San Diego in the semifinals. The Vikings placed second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings with a 14-2 record.

Western has had back-to-back All-American liberos in senior-to-be Courtney Schneider and Nicola Parker.

ALLISON GOTZ (9)
Libero
5-3, 17, 7/23/89, Freshman
Bothell, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: Everett Herald Player of the Year as senior at Archbishop Murphy High School ... First-team Everett Herald all-Area and all-Cascade Conference selection ... Helped Wildcats to 14-4 record and school's first Class 2A state tournament appearance ... Set school records for digs in match (29), season (228) and career ... Jersey No.8 retired ... Team captain for second year ... Honorable mention Associated Press all-State as junior ... First-team all-Area and all-league pick ... Team MVP ... Coaches Award winner as sophomore on squad that made school's first district appearance ... Was setter as freshman ... Started and lettered four years.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in either sports psychology or health education.