ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State head tennis coach Mark Lovrien has announced the addition of seven players to the Wolves' program as it prepares to resume intercollegiate play in the 2012-13 season. The group of Jamie Voelker (Hutchinson, Minn.), Mikela Kowatsch (Cashmere, Wash.), Valerie Robinson (Vermillion, S.D.), Deanie Hatch (Brea, Calif.), Tessa Sandoval (Fair Oaks, Calif.), Aspin Rhoades (Casper, Wyo.) and Cortnei Chance (Rocklin, Calif.) have committed to the NSU program and will enroll in classes and begin training for the season in the fall.
“I'm really excited to have such great kids to build the program around,” said Lovrien. “I'm confident that these girls will work hard, get good grades and be a great addition to Northern State and the Aberdeen community. We will be a young team with a lot of potential, and we're excited to compete next year.”
Voelker is a 6-foot, multi-sport stand-out for the Hutchinson High School Tigers and will continue her tennis career at the collegiate level with the Wolves. A three-time All-Wright County Conference selection under head coach Paul Linder, Voelker has compiled a record of 44-3 over the past two seasons and was a WCC champion at No. 1 singles in 2012. She was also a letter winner in track and field, figure skating and equestrian, helping her team to a 2009 equestrian state championship. Voelker has been on the top honor roll throughout her high school career and was an Academic Gold Award winner as both a junior and senior. She is also actively involved in a variety of community service projects off the court.
Lovrien on Voelker: “Jamie is everything a coach could want in a player. She is a great student, hard worker and has a great all-around tennis game. She has had a lot of success playing singles and her height and big serve will make her an effective doubles player, as well.”
Kowatsch, a state champion last season as a junior, is finishing up her senior season at Cashmere High School, helping the Bulldogs to a 24-2 record over the past two seasons. A 5-foot-6 athlete, she has recorded a 5-2 record in singles and is undefeated in doubles play as a senior with the district and state matches left to complete. She has gone 20-4 in singles matches since her sophomore season and 10-3 in doubles matches. Off the court, Kowatsch is involved in National Honor Society, Key Club, Art Club and is a junior member of the American Legion.
Lovrien on Kowatsch: “Mikela comes from a coaching family and will bring a good knowledge of the game to the team. She has a history of winning and I feel she has the intangibles to be a successful student-athlete.”
Robinson has notched more than 20 singles wins over the past two seasons at Vermillion High School, earning a berth in the 2010 and 2011 state consolation finals for the Tanagers and coach Betsy Hughes. Robinson went 17-9 as a junior and has gone 11-14 in singles matches in her senior season. She is also 13-10 in doubles matches this season. She was named as the Tanagers' Outstanding Contributor in 2011 for garnering the most team points. Also an academic all-state selection in both tennis and basketball, Robinson helped her VHS basketball squad to a district and region championship and a berth in the state tournament in 2012. She was named as an honorable mention all-conference selection for her efforts. Off the playing courts, Robinson is extensively involved in a variety of extra-curricular and community service activities.
Lovrien on Robinson: “Valerie is a hard worker and intense competitor on the court. She has a solid feel for the game and will be a great addition to our team.”
Hatch comes to the Wolves out of Brea Olinda High School where she earned the team's Most Outstanding Singles Award winner under head coach Bob Walton. Hatch advanced to the second round of the league finals for the Wildcats last season.
Lovrien on Hatch: “I'm really excited to have Deanie at Northern State. She has a great all-around game and a powerful serve. She played against great competition in Southern California and will be prepared to make a significant impact next season.”
Sandoval co
mes to the Wolves following a stand-out career at St. Francis High School in Sacramento, Calif. A four-year top-six singles player for the Troubadours, she has gone undefeated in singles matches all four seasons and played in the No. 1 doubles as a sophomore. Sandoval is a four-time Delta League and San Joaquin Division I Sectional Champion and was a super doubles champion as a junior. Her cousin Curry Kuehl is a member of the NSU men's golf team.
Lovrien on Sandoval: “Tessa comes from a great high school team and will bring a winning attitude to the Wolves. She has strong ground strokes and a history of winning in both singles and doubles competition.”
Rhoades has compiled an individual record of 26-2 over the past two seasons and helped lead the Natrona County High School Mustangs to a 14-0 team record and Wyoming State Class 4A Championship. She was a state champion at No. 2 doubles as a senior after finishing third at No. 3 doubles her junior season. Rhoades is also a two-time regional champion for the Mustangs.
Lovrien on Rhoades: “Although Aspin has only been playing tennis for three years, she has already had a lot of success in that time. She has a solid doubles game and has a lot of potential to improve at the collegiate level.”
Chance is a 2010 graduate of Rocklin High School and comes to the Wolves via two seasons at Sierra College where she went 22-6 over the past two seasons and earned all-conference honors both seasons. Chance helped her squad to back-to-back Big 8 Conference and Norcal Championships. The Wolverines then advanced to the 2011 state championship, finishing second, and are back in the state title match in 2012. Chance will have two seasons of eligibility remaining for the Wolves.
Lovrien on Chance: “Cortnei has had a lot of success playing for the top junior college in Northern California. Her tennis experience and strong play will be a great asset to our young team. She is a fierce competitor and will be ready to contribute right away.”
The Wolves will resume intercollegiate play in 2012-13 with individual tournaments in the fall and a full NSIC slate in the spring.
