2009 Concordia Volleyball Player Profiles
#1 Aria Nojima
5-10 / So. / OH
Gresham, Ore.
Central Catholic H.S.
Track & Field: Placed ninth at the conference track meet and 10th at the NAIA National Championships in the javelin as a freshman and improved to second at the CCC meet and third at nationals as a sophomore to earn All-American honors.
Personal: Graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2007 ... Was a four-year track and volleyball athlete; two years at Central Catholic and her freshman and sophomore years at Gresham High School ... Earned all-conference honors all four years in track ... Earned honorable mention all-state honors as junior... Was an outside hitter throughout her prep career ... Volleyball team placed second in state her final two years ... Born September, 22, 1988 ... Daughter of Yumi and Lanie ... Has one sister, Ceone ... Enjoys traveling, sailing and working out ... Majoring in health and physical education...
#2 Raluca Dinca
5-10 / Jr. / OH-OPP
Portland, Ore.
David Douglas H.S.
2007 Honorable Mention All-CCC
2008: Ranked third on the team with 200 kills ... Led the squad with 37 aces ... Ranked eighth in the CCC with .35 aces per game ... Had at least one ace in 20 matches, including nine of the first 11 dates of the season ... Had three aces on six difference occasions ... Posted five double-digit kill games with a season-best 15 against Eastern Oregon (10/24) ... 11 contests with at least 10 digs ... Finished the year with a season-best 17 digs against Eastern Oregon in the opening round of the CCC Tournament.
2007: Recorded 15 double-digit kill tallies on the year, broke the 20-kill plateau in two efforts ... Led the team with 290 total kills ... Collected 21 kills in a three-game match against Cascade on (9/29) ... Set a season-high three aces versus Northwest (10/20) .. Hit double-figures in digs on 14 occasions, including a career-best 18 at Eastern Oregon on (10/26) ... Named honorable mention All-CCC honors.
Personal: Graduate of David Douglas High School in Oregon ... Four-year volleyball team member for the Scotsmen ... Team captain for three seasons ... First-team all-conference and all-state as a senior ... Born November 3, 1988 ... Daughter of Maria and Dan Dinca ... Family includes one brother, Serban, and one sister, Roxanne ... Majoring in elementary education ... Hopes to teach third grade ... Born in Bucharest, Romania and moved from Romania at three years of age ... Was a contestant on "The Price is Right" over the summer where she won a motorcycle ... Enjoys tennis in her spare time.
#3 Taryn Baker
5-8 / Jr. / OH-OPP
Silverdale, Wash.
Central Kitsap H.S.
Green River C.C.
2006-08: Played two seasons at Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash. ... Playing as an outside hitter, helped the Gators improve from 14-20 during her freshman year to a 26-18 campaign as a sophomore which culminated in a first-place finish in the West Region of the NWAACC.
Personal: Graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 2006 ... Helped her prep team to a Bridge Division championship as a senior ... Also played for Kitsap Juniors Impact team ... Born October 4, 1988 ... Daughter of Karen and Tyrrell Baker... Family includes an older brother Tyrrell Baker, Jr. ... Majoring in exercise science.
#4 Kim Lindow
5-6 / Sr. / DS-Libero
Gresham, Ore.
Gresham H.S.
2008 CCC Libero of the Week (Aug. 25-31; Oct. 13-19)
2008: Continued her streak of playing in every match of her career ... Led the team with 472 digs and a 4.29 rate per game ... Ranked fourth in the CCC in digs per game ... Reached double figures in digs on 25 occasions ... Totaled 20 or more digs nine times ... Tallied a career-best 39 digs in a five-set match against Evergreen State (10/17) ... Her 39 digs were the best by a CCC player in any match all season ... Finished the year with 18 straight double-digit dig performances ... Filled in as a setter against Northwest Christian (9/12) and totaled 12 assists in the game ... Ranked third on the team with 19 aces.
2007: Played every match for CU for the second straight season ... Finished second on the squad with 277 digs to average 2.66 per set and led the team with 40 aces on the year ... Reached double-figures in the category 11 times ... Set a career-high of 28 digs at Northwest Christian on (10/13) ... Scored a season-best four kills while at Northwest University (9/7).
2006: Played every game for the Cavaliers as a true freshman ... Led the squad with 38 aces, four coming against Eastern Oregon (9/2) ... Finished with the second highest assist total with 115 on the year ... Third on the team with 255 digs ... Toppled 10 assists in six matches, including a sum of 22 successful passes at Trinity Christian (9/30) ... Had 12 matches with double-digit digs with a season high of 18 against Warner Pacific (10/3).
Personal: Also a member of Concordia's golf team ... Helped the Cavaliers to a CCC title on the links in 2008 and again in 2009 ... Graduate of Gresham High School ... Two-year volleyball and four-year golf team member for the Gophers ... Guided the team to a fifth-place finish at the golf state championships as a senior where she placed 13th individually ... Born March 8, 1988 ... Daughter of Debbie and Bob Lindow ... Family includes one brother, Brett ... Majoring in elementary education ... Took part in an American Red Cross Leadership Program held in Washington, D.C., over the summer ... Coordinates Blood Drives on campus throughout the year.
#5 Kacie DeRozier
5-5 / Jr. / S
Kelso, Wash.
Kelso H.S.
Lower Columbia C.C.
2006-08: Spent two seasons with Lower Columbia C.C. in Longview, Wash. ... A two-time team captain and MVP for the Red Devils.
Personal: Graduated from Kelso High School in 2007 ... A four-time MVP for the Hilanders volleyball team as a setter ... Was a first-team all-league and all-state pick as a senior after being named a second-team al-league player as a junior ... Selected to the all-state tournament team in final season ... Born September 27, 1988 ... Daughter of Pam and Layne DeRosier ... Family includes a younger brother, Cole, and an older sister, Kalin ... Sister played volleyball at Saddleback C.C. in California ... Right-handed but writes with her left ... Plans to major in education.
#6 Kim Mulka
6-2 / Jr. / MH
Bellingham, Wash.
Skyline H.S.
Edmonds C.C.
2007-08: Played two seasons at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Wash. ... Was a second-team NWAACC North Region selection and an All-Star as a sophomore, helping the Tritons to the NWAACC semifinals and a 38-12 overall record.
Personal: Graduated from Skyline High School in 2007 after attending Squalicum High previously ... Was a second-team selection to the All-Tournament team ... As a senior at Skyline, Mulka boosted the Spartans to a ninth-place finish in the 2006 Washington State 4A Championships ... Had six blocks against Mercer Island in the District Playoffs ... Born November 23, 1988 ... Daughter of Lisa and Gregg Wright ... Family includes two brothers, Mark and Ryan ... Plans to major in psychology.
#7 Katie Lydon
5-7 / Fr. / DS-S
Beaverton, Ore.
Westview H.S.
Personal: Graduated from Westview High School in 2009 ... Was the varsity setter for Westview since her sophomore season ... Was named the team MVP as a junior and was also named a second-team All-Metro League player ... Saw her senior year cut short due to a knee injury in the preseason, but was able to come back to play the final four games of the year ... Attended Sunset High School as a freshman in 2005 ... Also played varsity softball as an outfielder and shortstop ... Born March 8, 1991 ... Daughter of Nancy and Tim Lydon ... Family includes an older sister, Melissa ... Has lived in Beaverton her whole life ... Plans to major in nursing.
#9 Skyler Kamaka
5-8 / So. / Setter
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Kamehameha Schools
2008 First-Team All-CCC
2008 Setter of the Week (Aug. 25-31; Oct. 13-19; Oct. 20-26)
2008: Produced a successful freshman season that saw three CCC Setter of the Week honors and a first-team all-conference selection ... Third in the CCC in assists per game ... Opened her career with 44 assists and a season-best 20 digs in a 3-2 win over Westmont ... Credited with at least 10 assists in every contest but one where she was injured early against Northwest Christian (9/12) ... Accumulated a season best 56 assists in a four-set match against Eastern Oregon (10/24) ... Came back two contests later with 50 assists versus Cascade (10/31) ... Tallied at least 20 assists 24 times, 30 assists 17 times and 40 assists nine times ... Posted eight double-digit dig efforts, including four straight late in the year ... Hit a season-best seven kills against Corban (9/9) and a season-best six aces against Northwest (8/23).
Personal: Captured a pair of league and state titles while attending Kamehameha Schools ... Also played several seasons for the Jammers Volleyball Club ... Spent time as a right-side and an outside hitter along with primary duties as a setter ... Daughter of Jennifer Kamaka and Jon Concepcion ... Family includes sisters Jaqueline and Kayleigh and a brother Hayden ... Grandfather Samuel Kamaka is a 2000 inductee to the Ukulele Hall of Fame as one of the world's top Ukulele manufacturers ... Undecided in college major ... A dancer, has studied the hula, tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop.
#10 Grace Zitzer
6-0 / Fr. / OH-OPP
Dillon, Mont.
Beaverhead H.S.
Personal: Graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 2009 ... Was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball ... After earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore and again as a junior, was tabbed as a first-team all-conference and all-state pick as a senior ... Helped guide the Beavers to a divisional championship in 2008 and to the divisional semifinals in 2009 ... Also lettered in basketball and tennis while at Beaverhead High ... Was an all-state selection in basketball ... Born May 5, 1991 ... Daughter of Sara and Andrew Zitzer ... Family includes an older brother, Dylan who is a member of the Concordia track and field and cross country programs ... Undecided on college major.
#11 Clair Thiel
6-2 / So. / MH
Oak Harbor, Wash.
Oak Harbor H.S.
2008: Appeared in all but two matches over the year ... Fifth on the team with 97 kills ... Third on the team with 41 blocks ... Her six solo blocks ranked second on the squad ... Struck for eight kills on two occasions, the first against Northwest (8/23) and the second at home against Lewis & Clark (8/29) ... Had four total blocks for a season-best against Cascade (10/31) and a personal-best three assists against Holy Names (8/30).
Personal: Graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2008 ... Three-time letterwinner for the Wildcats while playing as a middle blocker ... Team MVP in 2006 and 2007, named as a second-team all-conference player following both seasons ... Member of the Wildcat's varsity basketball team, playing as a post player during her final three seasons ... Played in the Down Under Hoops Classic in Australia in 2005 ... Born January 29, 1990 ... Daughter of LaJolla and William Thiel ... Family includes an older sister, Miranda ... Majoring in education with an emphasis in mathematics.
#12 McKenzie Rath
6-0 / Sr. / MH
Selah, Wash.
Selah H.S.
2008: Started 13 matches while seeing action in all but four ... Had a career-best 13 kills against Northwest Christian (10/11) and matched the effort in the very next match against Evergreen State (10/17) ... Seventh on the team with 85 kills ... Tied for fifth on the team with 28 blocks ... Had a season-best five total blocks against Oregon Tech (11/7) ... Ranked 15th in the CCC in hitting percentage.
2007: Played in 21 matches as a sophomore for the Cavaliers. Saw playing time increase as the season progressed ... Struck for a season-high 10 kills at home against Corban (19/9) ... Recorded multiple blocks in six of the team's last seven matches ... Had three three-assist nights, all against CCC opponents.
2006: Entered 19 matches in her rookie season ... Tallied 120 kills and a team-high .251 hitting percentage ... Tied for the team lead with 0.82 blocks per game ... Hit a dozen kills on three occasions ... Reached for a season-best nine blocks at Eastern Oregon (9/2).
Personal: Graduate of Selah High School ... Played volleyball and ran as a sprinter for the Vikings for four years ... Threw the javelin as a senior, capturing the district championship in the event ... Guided the volleyball squad to a state title in 2005 ... Born August 16, 1989 into a family of Washington State University fans ... Daughter of Susan and Lee Rath ... Family includes one brother, Cameron, and one sister, Caitlin ... Father played football for the WSU Cougars ... Majoring in psychology and plans to pursue a career in sports psychology ... Will attend graduate school in Phoenix beginning in January ... Spent time volunteering with local schools ... Enjoys relaxing with a good book or heading down to the waterfront in her down time.
#13 Sarah Arceneaux
5-9 / Fr. / OH-OPP
Las Vegas, Nev.
Rancho H.S.
Personal: Graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas in 2009 ... Three-year letterwinner for the Rams, helping the team to a Northeast Division championship as a senior where she was named the Northeast Sunrise Division Most Valuable Player ... Also lettered in basketball, soccer and track through the course of her prep career ... Was a sprinter on the track team, a power forward in basketball and played forward as well as goalkeeper on the soccer team ... Born September 4, 1991 in Panorama City, Calif. ... Daughter of DeAndrea Harris and John Arceneaux... Family includes a younger brother, Capone, and an older sister, Je'Nell ... Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and at local soup kitchens ... Plans to major in biology/pre-medicine.
#14 Erika Doremus
6-0 / Jr. / OH
Port Orchard, Wash.
South Kitsap H.S.
2008: Fifth on the team with 109 kills, eighth in blocks with 24 ... Connected for a season-best 10 kills against Northwest (8/23) ... Had three total blocks on two occasions, one against Eastern Oregon (10/4) and the second against Warner Pacific (11/1).
2007: Ranked third on the team with 244 kills ... Had more than 10 kills on 13 occasions, including a season-best 17-kill output against Eastern Oregon (10/6) ... Played 98 of the team's 104 sets ... Finished third on the squad with 35 blocks ... Had six blocks, tied for the second-best total of the year, against Concordia-Nebraska (8/31).
Personal: Middle hitter for South Kitsap High School for one season before moving to the outside as a junior for the Wolves ... Multiple pick for team MVP ... First-team all-league selection ... Born August 9, 1988 ... Daughter of Judi Doremus and Phil Doremus ... Family includes a younger brother, Ben ... Career goal is to become an attorney ... Worked as a campaign volunteer for John Kerry and Derek Kilmer ... Spent the summer of 2006 studying in Germany ... Plans to study abroad in Austria next year ... Had a short story titled "The Day My Weather Changed" published in Concordia's 2008 literary journal, The Promethean.
#15 Mariana Toscano
5-9 / Sr. / OH-OPP
Portland, Ore.
Parkrose H.S.
2008: Tallied the second-best kill total on the team with 237 ... Here 2.32 kills per game also ranked second on the roster ... Hit a season-best 17 kills against Oregon Tech (9/20) ... Also had a season-best six blocks in that match against the Mountaineers ... Reached double figures in kills 10 times throughout the year ... Posted a 'double-double' in kills and digs twice ... Had 11 kills and 10 digs against Cascade (9/27) and 14 kills and 11 digs against Eastern Oregon (10/24) ... One of three Cavaliers to have at least 100 kills and digs on the year ... Second on the team with 42 blocks.
2007: Logged 99 sets played in 2007, entering all 29 matches for the Cavs ... Second on the team with 261 kills ... Had three 20-kill performances including a team-best 22 versus Eastern Oregon (10/6) ... Garnered four of the team's top 10 kill tallies ... Added 128 digs on the year ... Had a string of four straight 10-plus dig efforts late in the season.
2006: Played in all 28 matches as a freshman ... Second on the team by averaging 2.45 kills per game ... Added 130 digs and 35 blocks ... Opened the season with 14 kills against Point Loma Nazarene ... Reached 15 kills at Eastern Oregon and 16 at home versus Corban and again against Warner Pacific ... Season best 19 digs and three aces in the Eastern Oregon match.
Track: Conference champion sprinter for the Cavaliers ... Won the 400 and helped Concordia defend its title in the 1,600-meter relay team at the 2008 CCC Championships.
Personal: Graduate of Parkrose High School in Oregon ... Multi-sport athlete for the Broncos ... Added basketball (guard) and track and field (sprinter) to her volleyball duties ... All-league and all-state selection as a middle blocker ... Named team MVP ... Holds the school record in the 400 (58.9) and the 300-meter hurdles (46.8) ... Born July 29, 1988 ... Daughter of Jean and Jose Mario Toscano ... Family includes five brothers and four sisters ... Born in Culiacan, Mexico ... Enjoys four-wheeling, sky diving, scrapbooking, photography and sleeping.
