Cougar Athletics
32 NAIA National Championships
101 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: One of 5 freshmen to join the Cougar program this year, Shelby Ackermann is a walk-on who will use the 2009 campaign as a developmental year as she adjusts to the college game ... Will see opportunities for playing time in the back row ... Noted for her ability to serve.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity volleyball at Calvary Chapel High in Santa Ana, Calif. ... Also played club volleyball for "Locals Only," where she was coached by her father.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 1, 1991, in San Diego, Calif. ... Parents are Craig (director of Azusa Pacific online enrollment) and Susan Ackermann (biology teacher) ... Has a younger brother (Luke) ... Her father golfed at Gannon University and spent time on the Nike Tour ... Her maternal grandfather, Rick Morehouse, ran track at Stanford and her paternal grandfather, John Ackermann, played professional soccer in South Africa ... Majoring in applied exercise science ... Enjoys writing, exercise and studying Christian apologetics.

THIS YEAR: Now considered one of the team leaders though just a sophomore, Amy Alkazin is an all-around athlete who blocks, serves and hits well ... Uses her athleticism, quickness and jumping ability to be quite a force at the net ... Should again push for postseason honors, including possible All-America recognition.

2008 (Freshman): Put together an outstanding rookie campaign in which she was the only freshman (and just fourth in Azusa Pacific history) named to the All-GSAC team ... Appeared in 33 of the Cougars' 36 matches, starting each match ... Topped all conference freshmen with a .339 attack percentage ... Was second on the team in blocks (97) and aces (36) and third in kills (237) ... Tallied 10 or more kills in 5 different matches, including a career-high 12 in just 20 attempts in a 3-set victory over the University of Great Falls (Mont.) ... Opened her career with 39 kills in her first 4 matches ... Registered 11 kills and 8 blocks in a 4-set victory at Westmont ... Also had 11 kills and 7 blocks in a sweep at home of No. 13-ranked Point Loma Nazarene.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 seasons at Santa Fe Christian High in Solana Beach, Calif., for head coach Gail Malone ... Helped lead the Eagles to CIF-San Diego Section and State CIF championships her sophomore (2005) and senior (2007) seasons ... Collected CIF State Sportsmanship Award in Santa Fe Christian's 3-game title-clinching sweep over Harker High of San Jose ... Was twice named to All-CIF Division IV San Diego Section second team.

PERSONAL: Born Feb. 14, 1990, in La Jolla, Calif. ... Parents are Tom and Bethany Alkazin ... Has 2 older brothers ... Planning to major in business administration ... Would like to work for her family's company and eventually help it expand ... Enjoys reading, singing and bike riding.

THIS YEAR: Senior outside hitter Jill Baker, a 3-time NAIA All-American, is the lone senior and undisputed leader of an Azusa Pacific program that has become an NAIA volleyball power ... Already owns the Cougars' match, season and career records for kills and attack attempts and also ranks in the program's career top 10 in digs (seventh) and aces (ninth) ... Could potentially merit GSAC and NAIA Player of the Year consideration ... Represents the rare breed of athlete who combines overpowering physical tools along with intelligence and a complete understanding of the game ... Has a complete all-around game with proficiency in hitting, serving, passing and blocking.

2008 (Junior): Became Azusa Pacific's first-ever 2-time first team selection as an NAIA All-American, tallying a third straight All-GSAC award as well ... Shattered the program's career kills record in the final match of the regular season with an 18-kill effort in a 4-set victory over Vanguard ... Earned NAIA All-Tournament recognition after leading the Cougars into the playoff round with a trio of 3-set sweeps in pool play ... Averaged a team-high 4.31 kills per set (56 total) while tallying 30 digs and 10 blocks in 4 NAIA Tournament matches ... Posted her third straight 500-kill, 300-dig campaign, leading the GSAC in kills with 529 (4.30 per set) along with 3 of the conference's top 5 single-match kill totals ... Finished second on team in digs with 353 (2.87 per set) and passing percentage (.961), adding 57 blocks (15 solo, 42 assist), 11 aces and 16 assists ... Converted 1,292 attempts for a career-best .266 percentage and was over .300 in 16 of the team's 36 matches ... Recorded double-digit kills in 31 matches and reached 20 kills 5 times ... Posted a season-high 32 kills along with 16 digs, 2 blocks and 21 passes without a reception error in a 5-set win over Indiana Wesleyan in the second match of the season ... Registered a season-high 25 kills against just 5 errors in a thrilling 5-set win at home over No. 4-ranked California Baptist, Azusa Pacific's first win over the Lancers since 2004 and its first victory over a team ranked in the NAIA's top 5 since 2006.

2007 (Sophomore): Earned NAIA All-American first team honors, the fourth Cougar in program history to do so ... Eclipsed the Azusa Pacific single-season kills record, tallying 615 kills while garnering All-GSAC honors for the second straight season ... Averaged 5.54 kills per set and converted her 1,623 attempts at a .244 clip, tops among Cougar starters ... Finished the season with 5 consecutive 20-kill performances, including a program single-match record 37 kills in the regular-season finale, a 5-set road win over Vanguard ... Entered first-round playoff match at Biola with 592 kills, needing 14 to set the single-season mark, and was able to put away 15 of her match-high 23 kills in the first 2 sets to seal the record ... Recorded 20-plus kills 16 times, including all 7 of the Cougars' 5-set matches, and tallied 30 or more kills on 3 separate occasions ... Converted for a .200 or better attack percentage in 21 of 31 matches ... Led the GSAC in service aces, averaging 0.50 per set, and tallied the team's third-highest dig total with 382 (3.44 per set) ... Broke her own single-match attacks record with 86 attempts, converting for 28 kills to lead the Cougars to a 5-set home win over Point Loma Nazarene.

2006 (Freshman): Became the third freshman in Azusa Pacific history to earn NAIA All-American recognition with her honorable mention selection ... Was 1 of 2 Cougars to earn All-GSAC honors ... Averaged a team-high 4.49 kills per set, ranking fifth in the conference ... Recorded at least 9 kills in all 35 matches, including 11 matches of 20-plus kills ... Finished with 399 digs, posting double-digits in 22 of the 35 matches in which she appeared ... Put together a mid-season 7-match stretch in which she recorded 159 kills (5.7/set), 102 digs (3.6/set), 16 aces and 15 blocks ... Recorded a season-high 29 kills on what was then a single-match program record 77 attempts in a 5-set defeat to Point Loma Nazarene ... In the next match, upped her attack attempts record, converting 80 swings into 26 kills to lead the Cougars to a 5-set victory over Biola.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity volleyball at Turlock (Calif.) Christian High under head coach Larry Hagstrom ... Had a tremendous career, setting 4 school career records including kills (1,044), digs (1,009), aces (317) and blocks (193) ... Led the Eagles to a 33-5 record as a 2005 senior and was named the National Christian Schools Athletic Association's National Player of the Year and the Mountain Valley League MVP ... Finished tenth in the state with 467 kills and eleventh with 428 digs ... As a 2004 junior led the team to a 30-6 mark ... Had 329 kills, 285 digs, 41 blocks and 124 aces ... Named Mountain Valley League MVP ... Was twice named to the Modesto Bee all-district team ... As a 2003 sophomore named to All-MVL first team after recording 177 kills, 85 blocks, 237 digs and 85 aces ... Also was an outstanding softball player twice tabbed All-MVL first team.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 1, 1988, to Gary and Lynette Baker in Turlock, Calif. ... Comes from an athletic family ... Father played basketball at Cal State Stanislaus, and mother played softball at Chico State and competed in diving at the Junior Olympics as a youngster ... Her uncle, Jim Bryan, played professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles system ... Has 1 brother (Garrett), who played baseball collegiately at Dallas Baptist University and played 2 seasons professionally at the Class A level in the San Francisco Giants organization ... Majoring in athletic training and would like to coach after graduation ... Enjoys snowboarding and watching game shows.

THIS YEAR: Already a battled-tested sophomore, Ariel Beetstra is a key figure in the Cougar attack ... Is 1 of 7 Cougars over 6-feet tall and at 6' 3" is the second-tallest player on the squad ... Moves well for her size ... Adjusted well last year to the college game and is proving to be quite smart and steady in her play.

2008 (Freshman): Started all 36 Cougar matches and appeared in all 126 sets during her 2008 freshman season ... Led Azusa Pacific with 127 blocks, third-best in the GSAC and tops among all conference freshmen ... Registered 5 or more blocks in 11 different matches, including a season-high 9 in a 3-set sweep at The Master's College ... Had 7 blocks in 4 other matches, including an NAIA Tournament-opening victory over No. 16-ranked Dordt College ... Produced 10 kills in a 5-set setback at No. 2 Biola University.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-year middle hitter at Fullerton (Calif.) Union High for head coach Wendy Vrolyk ... Was a 4-time All-Freeway League honoree, earning first team recognition her final 2 seasons ... Also lettered 2 seasons in track & field, participating at the CIF meet in the high jump in 2005 as a freshman and running a leg of the 4x400 relay as a 2006 sophomore.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 22, 1989, in Long Beach, Calif., to Charlie and Lisa Beetstra ... Has 2 younger siblings, sister Hayley and brother Gerritt.

THIS YEAR: Sophomore Krista Brenner is ready to jump-start her collegiate career after enduring a pair of injury-filled seasons, first at the University of Tennessee and then again last year at Baylor University ... Is the tallest Cougar on the team ... Will play either right side or middle ... Teams with Baker and Beetstra to give the Cougars a tall and potentially great defensive and offensive front ... Should press for postseason recognition.

2008 (Baylor): Transferred to NCAA Division I Baylor University in Waco, Texas, for her 2008 redshirt freshman season ... Appeared in 5 matches, playing in 9 sets ... Had 5 kills in 14 attempts to go along with 2 aces and a couple of blocks.

2007 (Tennessee): Signed with University of Tennessee out of high school but appeared in just 1 set for the Volunteers before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the third match of the season, a straight-set victory over Appalachian State University ... Was granted a medical hardship and retained her freshman season of eligibility.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 3 varsity seasons at Jim Elliot Christian High in Lodi, Calif. ... Played for head coach Bryan Konrad ... Rated No. 52 among all high school seniors by PrepVolleyball.com ... Played club volleyball on the 18-Blue team for the Delta Valley Volleyball Club which earned a bronze medal at the 2007 Junior Olympics in Atlanta, Ga.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 3, 1988, in Stockton, Calif. ... Parents are Wayne (retired) and Linda (real estate broker) Brenner ... Has 2 older brothers (Luke, Eric) ... Is a nursing major.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Sophie Burns is an outstanding newcomer who will immediately compete for the vacant starting spot at setter ... Rated a good athlete who moves very well ... Can also play opposite ... Is steady in her approach and play and is very skilled.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 seasons of varsity volleyball at West Ranch High in Stevens Ranch, Calif. ... Played 2 seasons for head coach Nate Sparks ... Was a 2-time All-Foothill League honoree, earning first-team recognition for the Wildcats during her 2008 senior season ... Posted a pair of triple-doubles as a senior ... Paced the Wildcats to a 37-19 record and 2 CIF playoff berths over her final 2 seasons ... Was a 2-time team MVP ... Led West Ranch to the 2006 Ventura and 2007 Gabriellino Tournament championships.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 3, 1991, in Northridge, Calif. ... Parents are Gary (auditor) and Nelia Burns ... Has an older sister (Jessica) and a younger brother (Clay) ... Is a cousin to current Cougar volleyballer Aerial Beetstra ... Majoring in communication with a minor in humanities ... Would possibly like to go into photography ... Enjoys cooking and reading.

THIS YEAR: A potentially high-impact newcomer, freshman Breezy Funk is a do-everything player ... An excellent athlete with an outstanding future ... Relatively new to setting after filling roles as an attacker through much of her early career.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-year standout for head coach Scott Miller at Marcos de Niza High in Tempe., Ariz. ... As a 2008 senior named all-state and all-city along with team MVP ... Was a 3-time All-5A Pima League selection ... As a 2006 sophomore started for a Padre team that finished third in the state ... Club team was Arizona East Valley Juniors coached by Kurstan Olaso ... Originally gave a verbal commitment to Pac-10 member University of Oregon.

PERSONAL: Born Aubrielle Leeann Funk, June 30, 1991 ... Parents are Russell (manager) and Pam (photographer) Funk ... Has 3 older brothers (Rusty, who played basketball at Olivet Nazarene University, Michael, Jimmy) ... Majoring in applied health and plans to go on to graduate school.

THIS YEAR: A terrific athlete, freshman Jenn Gaines is a quick player who may need time to adjust to the college game, but nonetheless has the potential to develop into a quality contributor ... Jumps quite well ... Is coachable and noted for her great attitude.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball for head coach Ethel del Rosario at Charter Oak High in Covina, Calif. ... Helped lead the Chargers to back-to-back CIF playoff appearances ... As a 2008 senior tallied 23 blocks and 47 kills for the 18-7 Chargers who finished second in the Miramonte League ... As a 2007 junior had 10 blocks and 37 kills ... Began her club career with the Top Gun Volleyball Team and continued it with ClubWest Volleyball out of La Verne, Calif.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 22, 1990, in Los Angeles, Calif. ... Parents are Mel (chief financial officer) and Alice (executive assistant) Gaines ... Her mother attended Azusa Pacific ... Majoring in business administration ... Teaches second-grade Sunday School ... Enjoys reading and going to the beach.

THIS YEAR: A dynamic athlete with electrifying skills, sophomore Marguerite Hanna is a terrific offensive player, one of several outstanding Cougar attackers ... Gives the Cougars great offensive depth ... Jumps very well and is known for her hard strikes ... Also has a very effective jump serve.

2008 (Freshman): Endured an injury-plagued 2008 freshman campaign in which knee and finger injuries limited her to just 21 of the Cougars' 36 matches ... Missed the first 13 matches with a knee injury suffered in the summer but then became a key reserve ... Posted a season-high 12 kills in 24 attempts in a 4-set victory over Hope International ... Had 5 or more kills in 4 other matches, including 7 vs. Lubbock Christian in the NAIA Tournament ... Was second on the team in averaging 0.25 aces per game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-year volleyball letterwinner at Loudoun County High in Leesburg, Va., playing for head coach Jenica Matthias ... A two-time all-state performer, led Raiders to a Virginia state runner-up finish as a 2006 junior before 2007's perfect 28-0 state championship run ... Helped lead the program to the top spot in the Washington Post's 2007 D.C. metro area rankings ... Was a key performer during a 46-1 run over her final two prep campaigns, with the lone defeat coming in the 2006 state title match ... Twice named all-district and all-region first team and earned Washington, D.C. All-Metro second team honors in 2007 ... After recording 240 kills, 266 digs and a .980 serve percentage her junior season, posted 241 kills, 279 digs and 135 aces as a 2007 senior.

PERSONAL: Born Feb. 11, 1990, in Warrensburg, Mo., to Stephen and Sherrilyn Hanna ... Mother Sherrilyn played volleyball and basketball at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri ... Uncle Wesley Martin played football at Central Missouri State, and aunt Sarah Endel played field hockey at Southwest Missouri State ... Has one older brother (Joshua) and one younger sister (Juliane) ... Plans to major in athletic training ... Enjoys biking, yoga and racquetball.

THIS YEAR: Considered one of the Cougars' best all-around players, sophomore Raechel Jones will be a key figure in the team's 6-2 approach ... Capable of setting, passing, defending and serving at a high level ... Is 1 of several experienced sophomores on the squad ... Sets and serves very well but is also a highly-rated defender and could see time at libero.

2008 (Freshman): Proved to be a workhorse as a mere freshman, appearing in all 36 matches, starting 8, and was 1 of just 3 players to appear in all 126 sets ... Teamed with All-GSAC setter Allison Kincheloe to share duties in driving a Cougar offense that averaged 13 kills a set ... Recorded 20 or more assists in 8 different matches, including a season-high 29 in a 5-set match vs. No. 2-ranked Biola ... Also had 13 digs in that same match ... Had 7 or more digs in 13 matches, including 3 straight in the NAIA Tournament.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-year varsity volleyball setter for head coach Kristin Roberts at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High ... Was a 3-time All-Southwestern League honoree who helped lead the Broncos to a 4-year record of 98-30 ... Named Southwestern League MVP as a 2007 senior after leading Vista Murrieta to its third straight league championship.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 25, 1989, in Murrieta, Calif. ... Parents are Steve and Debora Jones ... Has two younger siblings, sister Melissa and brother Mathew ... Plans to major in applied health with a business minor ... Would like to pursue physical therapy as a career field.

THIS YEAR: One of 7 newcomers to the program, freshman Lenna Madden is a good athlete who jumps well ... May need a year to refine her skills as she adjusts to the speed of the college game ... Is also 1 of 7 players 6-foot or taller, making this the tallest team in program history.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned 4 varsity letters in volleyball while playing for head coach Linda Rodl at Scottsdale Christian Academy in Phoenix, Ariz. ... As a 2006 sophomore was named all-state after leading the Eagles to the state 2A championship ... Was all-state honorable mention as a 2007 junior when she was also named team offensive MVP ... Also lettered in basketball (center) and softball at Scottsdale Christian.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 4, 1990, in Scottsdale, Ariz. ... Parents are Ken (developer) and Helene (jeweler) Madden ... Has an older sister (Arielle) and a younger brother (Micah) ... Majoring in applied health with a minor in global studies ... Would like to go into physical therapy or personal training ... Enjoys beach volleyball and photography.

THIS YEAR: Robin Portela is another in a long line of Cougar sophomores with significant collegiate game experience ... A key player in the Cougars' pursuits for postseason play ... Not only defends the floor well and is a great passer, has an outstanding vertical jump ... Works hard and has a strong will to win ... Rates among the best liberos in the GSAC.

2008 (Freshman): Appeared in all 126 Cougar sets as a collegiate rookie, primarily as the libero ... Topped the team with 409 digs (3.25 avg.), best among all GSAC freshmen ... Had 20 or more digs 3 times, including a career-high 26 in just her second collegiate match, a 5-set victory over Indiana Wesleyan ... Registered at least 2 aces in 4 different matches.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons for head coach Melanie Demure at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills, Calif. ... Earned back-to-back All-Sierra Valley League selections after leading the Trojans to consecutive 32-win campaigns ... Led Oak Ridge to a share of the league title as a 2006 junior ... Ranked among league leaders as a 2007 senior in kills (sixth with 254), digs (third with 391) and serve receive (4.1 per game) ... Also played 2 seasons of varsity soccer, where she tended goal and played in the midfield.

PERSONAL: Is the third of 6 children of Eric and Debbie Portela ... Has 3 brothers (Eric, Daniel and Garrett) and 2 sisters (Krister and Alicia) ... Mother was a track and field athlete at Liberty University ... Plans to major in business administration and minor in communication ... Would like to be a healthcare administrator ... Enjoys boating, playing badminton and ping pong ... Also lists piano and art as hobbies.

THIS YEAR: A transfer from UC Santa Barbara, Whittany Radcliffe is a high-impact newcomer who will push for postseason honors ... A do-everything player who brings a potent left-handed attack to the net ... Hits the ball with a high level of pace ... Jumps and moves well ... Teams with Baker, Alkazin and Brenner to give Azusa Pacific a variety of outstanding attackers.

2008 (UC Santa Barbara): Appeared in 22 matches and 55 sets during her 2008 freshman season for Big West Conference member UC Santa Barbara ... Registered 32 kills and 16 blocks for the 10-15 Gauchos ... Posted a season-high 7 kills in a 4-set setback at Loyola Marymount ... Had 4 kills in a start vs. Cal Poly and another 5 in a 3-set victory over Cal State Fullerton.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity volleyball under head coach Paul Burdine at La Habra (Calif.) High ... Was a 3-time All-Freeway League first team selection and was named league MVP as a 2007 senior ... Was also named to the all-area team by the Whittier Daily News ... Recorded a career-high 31 kills in the second round of the CIF playoffs vs. Norco High ... Lettered 4 years in basketball as well and was a 3-time all-league honoree, including first team recognition as a junior and senior ... Played 2 seasons of club volleyball for Cal Juniors under head coach Melissa Ohta.

PERSONAL: Born March 30, 1990, in Whittier, Calif. ... Parents are Scott (CEO) and Marilyn (manager) Radcliffe ... Has an older brother (William) and an older sister (Brittany) ... Has not declared a major ... Lists "The Longest Yard" as her favorite movie and "The Notebook" as her favorite novel ... Enjoys listening to the music of Carrie Underwood.

THIS YEAR: The lone junior on the team, and 1 of just 2 upperclasswomen, Julia Wehsener is a team captain ... Is a defensive specialist who has played in 51 matches the past 2 seasons ... Passes well and could be used at libero ... Also has an effective serve.

2008 (Sophomore): Was a constant figure in the Cougar back row, appearing in 29 matches, including the first 21 of the season, and 61 sets during her 2008 sophomore campaign ... Tallied 45 digs and 5 service aces in the process ... Combined for 15 digs in back-to-back 3-set victories over The Master's and Hope International, including a career-high 8 vs. The Master's.

2007 (Freshman): Appeared in 22 matches in her collegiate debut, playing in a streak of Azusa Pacific's final 17 matches to finish the season ... Led team with a .929 serve percentage (minimum 100 attempts), serving 9 aces on the year ... Collected a season-high 4 aces in 10 serves in a GSAC sweep over San Diego Christian ... Registered aces in 3 straight matches to end the season ... Posted a season-high 7 digs in a 4-set win over Hope International.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 varsity seasons for head coach Ed Machado at La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad, Calif. ... Helped lead the Mavericks to back-to-back CIF Division I San Diego Section championships, along with a third-place state finish as a 2006 senior ... Recorded 256 digs and 48 aces to help the Mavericks to a 35-4 overall record in 2006.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 18, 1988, in La Jolla, Calif., to Tom and Tami Wehsener ... Has 2 younger siblings (1 brother, 1 sister) ... Majoring in liberal studies with a career goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.