BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head volleyball coach Diane Flick-Williams has announced the first wave of the recruiting class of 2020, with four players set to join the program this fall.

 

The class continues a tradition that has seen the program field an all-Washington roster for nearly all of Flick-Williams 20 years leading the program. The versatile group of players consists of a setter, defensive specialist, middle blocker and outside hitter. Additional, two players that have had older sisters play in the program have signed to become Vikings.

 

"The class of 2020 is such a great balance of the specialties of the game. We have passers, setters, defense, net play...all the physical parts a coach would want," said Flick-Williams. "What I'm even more excited about is how much they have made a point to connect. They are a close class even before stepping one foot on the floor. WWU Volleyball has a bright future with this group."

 

 

Boesel is a defensive specialist out of Brewster with strong ties to the WWU volleyball program. Her older sister, Brette, was an All-American for the Vikings from 2015-18 and is a current assistant coach. Boesel was a four-year starter for Brewster High School, helping lead the Bears for four league titles and a 5^th place finish at the 2017 2B state championships. She was four-time first-team all-league selection and a two-time all-state pick during her prep career. She finished her high school career with 1,171 career digs, 1035 kills and 229 service aces.

 

Flick-Williams on Boesel:

"Brooklynne is one of those volleyball players who has done it all. She can hit, set, ball handle...a complete game. Having seen her development from a far for many years, I am so excited to see up close how far she can take her game."

 

Carter is a 6-0 middle out of Vancouver's Prairie High School. As a senior she was selected as the Greater St. Helens League co-MVP and was a two-time first-team all-league selection. Carter also earned a pair of 3A All-State awards as second-team selection in 2018 and honorable mention as a senior in 2019. She helped Prairie to three league titles during her varsity career. In a bi-district game her senior season vs. North Thurston she recorded 24 kills, 7 blocks, 12 digs and 3 service aces.

 

Flick-Williams on Carter:

"Sophia has got a live arm and is quick off the floor which fits right in with our legacy of an effective middle attack. She also has a fire and enthusiasm when she plays that can inspires those around her."

 

Heilborn is a setter out of prep powerhouse Auburn Riverside, where she led the Ravens to four league titles and a pair of stat titles as a freshman and sophomore. The 5-9 Heilborn was twice selected as the 4A NPSL Olympic MVP and was a two-time All-State selection. As a senior in 2019 Heilborn recorded 846 assists, 274 digs, 57 blocks, 36 service aces and 123 kills to earn First Team All-State honors. Heilborn is the younger sister of current Viking Calley Heilborn, the 2019 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and First Team All-West Region and Third Team All-American selection by the AVCA.

 

Flick-Williams on Heilborn:

"Camden has been on our radar since the 7th grade! We have waited a long time to get her in our gym, and I am beyond excited that the time is finally here. She has the tools we look for in a setter...super quick, great hands, and plays every point with every ounce of energy that she has."

 

King is an athletic outside hitter out of Burlington-Edison High School, who earned 11 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track & field during her prep career. King was a three-time All-State selection, including earning first-team honors as a senior in 2019, and was the 2019 Northwest Conference and Skagit County Player of the year. She helped lead the Tigers to four state championship appearances, including the 2017 state title, and a 4^th-place finish in 2019. She concluded her prep career with a school-record 1,397 kills, 1,201 digs and 217 service aces.

 

Flick-Williams on King:

"Katie is that prototypical multiple-sport athlete who has such great body awareness and a physicality that makes the complex look simple. She is smooth when she handles the ball and has a great jump off the floor, couple that with her competitive demeanor and the sky's the limit."

 

Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB) and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

 

The WWU volleyball program has risen to elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last eight seasons and 14 of the last 19 dating back to the 2001 season. The winner of 10 Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships, Western won the 2018 GNAC title with a perfect 20-0 record, the 2017 championship by posting a 19-1 league and is a 3-peat champion with an 18-2 mark this season. Over the last three seasons the Vikings have combined to go 84-11 overall and 57-3 in conference play, and over the last five seasons are 134-25 (.843). Led by 20-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams, the Vikings have posted a 202-40 record over the last eight seasons (.835 winning percentage) and have played in the NCAA II West Region championship match four of the last five seasons (2015-18), winning titles in 2015 and 2018. WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, and have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in two of the past five seasons (2015 and 2018).