SPSCC signs three more volleyball players

South Puget Sound Community College announced Monday via Twitter that two more local players have signed on to play for the Clippers’ new volleyball team, which begins its inaugural season this fall.

Lydia Soto and Kiley Schwartz, both from Olympia High School, initially piqued SPSCC coach Melanie Miller’s interest because of their style of play. Laurie Creighton, Olympia’s volleyball coach, implements the Gold Medal Squared system that Miller is familiar with.

“I was attracted to those girls based off of their previous training,” Miller said. “They’re both pretty all-around players with good attitudes, and I think will bring really good chemistry to the team.”

A third recruit, Ellie King — a Black Hills product — also signed earlier this month. King will likely act as the squad’s libero.

“She’s very fast,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to working with her and developing her skill set with her quickness.”

Miller said she is aiming for 10 to 12 players on her roster — 12 would be optimal for scrimmaging at practice.

“I also don’t want just anybody, so if I get 10, then I’m not going to be disappointed either,” Miller said. “I feel like community college is supposed to build the athlete to move on if that’s what their desire is. Having any more than 12, I feel like, defeats part of the purpose.”

Miller said she is close to signing three or four more athletes, and is still actively recruiting and attending tournaments to scout talent. She said she wants to wrap up recruiting by June.

“It just further reassures me that she was the right hire,” SPSCC athletic director Nick Schmidt said. “I’m looking forward to when she gets out on the court and starts Clippers volleyball history.”

Soto, Schwartz and King join two more recruits that signed on with the program in February — Black Hills’ Natalie Patton and Puyallup’s Stephanie Washington. Washington was the program’s first recruit to sign.

“Blessed to get the opportunity to continue my volleyball career at a higher level at South Puget Sound, Go Clippers,” she wrote in a Tweet on Feb. 2.

Each of the five recruits helped Miller run a Masters volleyball tournament at the college earlier this month, where six teams competed. There were three teams of men 50 years old or older, and three teams of men 60 or older.

“They enjoyed watching. They were impressed that the guys could still play that well at that age,” Miller joked. “I literally just started barking out orders and they got the job done. It was awesome.”

That should translate well to the court, right?

“I really hope so,” she said.

SPSCC’s season begins Aug. 27 at the NWAC Volleyball Showcase in Eugene, Oregon. The team’s first home game is Sept. 7 against Clark College.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 8:59 PM with the headline "SPSCC signs three more volleyball players."