Volleyball announces three new signees for 2001 season

Portland State volleyball head coach Jeff Mozzochi announced Thursday that three high school players have signed national letters of intent to attend Portland State next fall. Lisa Thomas of Palmer, Alaska, Kristin Ratzlaff of Corvallis, Ore. and Rachel Mogen of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho are the first three recruits for Mozzochi since his return to PSU.

“The coaching staff worked very hard to get these three quality kids,” Mozzochi said. “They are great student-athletes who come from extremely supportive families. They will be the cornerstone of the future of this program.”

Thomas, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, played for Palmer High School and Midnight Sun Volleyball Club. She was a two-time all-region and all-state selection during her prep years and was the 2000 Regional MVP. Thomas also played basketball and track at Palmer High School.

“Lisa provides us with the physical attributes of size and athletic ability,” Mozzochi said. “More importantly, it is her intangibles that will help us. She is very competitive and wants to become a very good volleyball player. She fits in perfectly with what we are trying to do with this program.”

Ratzlaff, a 5-foot-7 defensive specialist, is from Crescent Valley High School. In high school, she was an outside hitter, was twice named all-league and team MVP and played for the Emerald City Volleyball Club. Kristin was also an all-league performer in golf and played basketball.

“Kristin is a really intense and focused athlete,” Mozzochi said. “She made a decision to become a defensive specialist in college who will provide the team with intensity and a great training ethic. It is going to be a lot of fun to have her in this program.”

Mogen, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, is from Lake City High School and Club Idaho Northwest. She is a two-time all-region and 2000 all-state selection at Lake City.”Rachel is relatively inexperienced in volleyball and has just scratched the surface as a volleyball player,” Mozzochi said. “She will be one of the quickest athletes in this program’s history. She has a hunger to learn and will dramatically improve once she is in our program.”