2006 Volleyball Recruits

Bluffton volleyball program welcomes additions for 2006 season

June 13, 2006

Steve Yarnell, Bluffton University’s women’s volleyball coach, would like to announce six additions to the volleyball program. “These six athletes will build on the solid foundation that the program has established over the past season,” stated Coach Yarnell.

The first commitment of the year was Michele Rosen, a 5’11” outside hitter from Harrison High School.  Rosen, who was coached by Amy Berwanger at Harrison, lettered two years at the outside hitter position. During her senior season, Rosen was selected as team co-captain. Rosen was named second team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference following her senior year, and was selected to represent Harrison High School in the Greater Cincinnati Senior All-Star match. For the past five years, Rosen has played Junior Olympic volleyball for Kaepa Borderline volleyball club. This past season, Rosen played under the direction of Bill Zehler. Academically she was involved in French club for 4 years, president of French club one year, officer of national French honor society and a member of the national French honor society for two years. She served as a youth volleyball coach at her church for two years. Rosen will major in middle childhood education at Bluffton University. Yarnell commented, “Michele has a passion for volleyball that doesn’t quit, she is a great addition to the program.”

The second commitment came from 5’4” Findlay High School senior Brittany Roth, who was a defensive specialist for the Trojans. Roth was a District Eight second team pick in 2004 and a second team selection in 2005, while also competing in the District Eight Senior All-Star match. She was named first team Greater Buckeye Conference for her play in 2005 under head coach David Franklin. Brittany has played Junior Olympic volleyball for the past four winters and travel softball for the past four summers. The past two seasons, Roth played club volleyball for Oiler Attack Club out of Findlay. While at Bluffton, Roth will major in elementary education. Yarnell states, “Brittany has the ability to pass nails and a heart and competetiveness about her that hates to lose.”

Lima Central Catholic graduate Audra Coleman, a 5’9 middle hitter, was the third commitment in the 2006 class to choose Bluffton. Coleman was a three-year starter for the Thunderbirds volleyball program. Audra received All-District honorable mention and was selected to play in the District Eight Senior All-Star match. Coleman represented Ohio in the Tourney Sport Hawaiian Invitational Tournament, where she was named to the All-Tournament team. Coleman has played for Gold Diggers volleyball club for five years. Audra was also a starter for the Lady T-Bird basketball squad. While at Bluffton, Coleman will major in middle childhood education. “Audra is an exceptional athlete that will be able to adapt to the speed of the college game very quickly. She is an explosive leaper with the capability to attack from any area on the court,” commented Yarnell. 

The fourth athlete committing to the Beaver Volleyball program is 5’4 setter Tory Henkle, from Parkway High School. Henkle was a three-year letter winner for the Panthers. She garnered Midwest Athletic Conference honorable mention honors her senior year. She was one of the starting setters on last seasons Parkway squad that finished as state runner-up in Division III. Henkle also competed in the District Eight Senior All-Star match. Tory is actively involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Henkle has played club volleyball for Grand Lake volleyball club. While at Bluffton, she will major in interior design. Coach Yarnell stated, “Tory is an athlete that is very capable of running a diverse offense with first and second tempo attacks.” 

Jordan Scifres, a 5’9 outside hitter from Greenwood, Indiana, is the fifth Beaver commitment in the 2006 class. Scifres, who lettered two seasons at Lutheran High School, was also a two-year starter for the Saints under Head Coach Kathy Anderson. For her play as a junior, Scifres was named the Most Improved Player before being named a co-captain and co-MVP in her senior campaign. An All-Marion County honorable mention and Volleyball Academic All-State selection, Jordan was involved in many other extra-curricular activities including National Honor Society, Student Council Vice-President, Peer Minister, and Vacation Bible School volunteer. Jordan also earned two varsity letters in tennis and one varsity letter in basketball. She has been involved in Junior Olympic volleyball, playing for Circle City Volleyball Club under coach Anita Liptak. Scifres will major in early childhood education. “Jordan is a solid athlete and great addition to the program, she is academically and athletically focused and I think Bluffton is a great fit for her,” commented Coach Yarnell.

The second middle hitter to commit in the 2006 class is 5’11” Anna Viars from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ohio. Viars was a three-year starter for the Warriors and team captain in her senior campaign. For her play, Viars was an All-League and All-District selection her junior and senior seasons. Anna played club volleyball for Ohio Volleyball Academy under the direction of coach Alicia Soich. This past club season, Anna’s club team finished in the top 25 at both the Asics Nationals in Chicago and the Ohio Valley Regional Tournament in Columbus. Anna will major in art education while attending Bluffton. Coach Yarnell stated “Anna is a huge addition to the Bluffton program. During the time I have spent coaching middles, Anna would rank among the top three or four in blocking ability. Blocking can be taught but the instinct to read hitters and close efficiently are characteristics that Anna possesses. I look for Anna to be an instant impact player both defensively and offensively at the net.”  

Head Coach Steve Yarnell had this to say about the recruiting class of 2006. “These six athletes are the first to commit to the Bluffton volleyball program in the 2006 class. This is developing into a very good recruiting class as all six are academically focused as well as athletically focused. I look forward to working with these fine athletes during the next four years!”

 -BEAVERS-