Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: Freshman Amy Alkazin is one of 7 newcomers to the Cougar volleyball program ... Figures into the battle for a starting spot at middle blocker, a position that features just 1 returnee in senior Kelsey Knudsen ... Has trained in Azusa Pacific's style of play under Cougar assistant Mike Huffman in club volleyball ... Is a key piece at the net with her athleticism, quickness and jumping ability.

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., to 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: Junior 2-time NAIA All-American outside hitter Jill Baker continues her already-storied career at Azusa Pacific with the chance to shatter the program's career kills record in just 3 seasons ... Enters 2008 season needing 471 kills to tie Jenna Sagehorn's 1,670-kill career total ... Also ranks in the program's top 20 in career digs and aces ... Features a solid all-around game with proficiency in hitting, serving, passing and blocking.

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 game 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-game 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 games to seal the record ... Recorded 20-plus kills 16 times, including all 7 of the Cougars' 5-game 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 game, and tallied the team's third-highest dig total with 382 (3.44 per game) ... Broke her own single-match attacks record with 86 attempts, converting for 28 kills to lead the Cougars to a 5-game 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 game, 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/game), 102 digs (3.6/game), 16 aces (0.6/game) and 15 blocks (0.5/game) ... Recorded a season-high 29 kills on what was then a single-match program record 77 attempts in a 5-game 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-game 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 now plays professionally 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: Freshman Ariel Beetstra is one of 3 incoming freshmen at the middle blocker position ... At 6-foot-3, stands as the tallest Cougar and uses her length to her advantage above the net ... Has the ability to play right away and provide an immediate impact.

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: Senior Megan Burch is a proven commodity who will be counted on to help lead the Cougars back to a third NAIA Tournament in her 4 seasons at Azusa Pacific ... Provides an efficient option for the Cougar offense, and is a solid all-around player ... Does a great job controlling the ball and keeping it in play ... Makes high contact that allows her to effectively spread around her attacks ... Puts up a consistent block.

2007 (Junior): Appeared in all 31 matches, starting 23 times ... Ranked fourth on the team in total kills (196) and kills per game (2.48) ... Used primarily on the front row, where she hit at an efficient .214 clip and posted 43 blocks ... For the second straight season, heated up in the second half of the year, registering double-digit kills in 6 of the Cougars' final 9 conference matches ... Hit for a positive percentage in 11 straight matches to finish the season ... Registered a season-high 15 kills twice in the second half of the GSAC campaign ... Tallied 13 kills and a season-high 5 blocks in a 5-game win over Point Loma Nazarene.

2006 (Sophomore): Started all 35 matches and ranked among the team leaders in all major statistical categories ... Served a team-high 50 aces to go with season totals of 327 kills, 220 digs and 57 blocks ... Developed into a consistent offensive weapon over the second half of the season, recording double-digits in kills 13 times over the final 17 matches ... Tallied a career-high 20 kills in the Cougars' 5-game home victory over Biola ... Posted 16 kills and a career-high 17 digs in a 4-game home win over The Master's ... Served a career-high 5 aces in the Cougars' NAIA Region II playoff win over Biola.

2005 (Freshman): Appeared in all 37 matches as a freshman, including 31 starts ... Averaged 2.15 kills per game ... Tallied 271 kills, 108 digs and 45 blocks ... Recorded double-digit kills in 8 matches ... Served 31 aces, third-best on the team ... Had a career-high 17 kills and 6 digs against Point Loma Nazarene ... In a 4-game win over Westmont had 16 kills and 3 digs.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Riverside Christian High, playing 4 years of varsity volleyball under head coach Jennifer McGuyre ... Was a 3-time MVP of the Metro League ... Was team captain as a junior and senior ... Had a terrific senior season, leading the Cougars to a 20-4 mark while recording 294 kills ... Set a county record for kills in a match (30) ... Named All-CIF Southern Section Division 4 second team ... Named Metro League MVP and All-CIF Division 5 first team as a 2003 junior after helping her team to an 18-2 record ... Also picked first team All-Metro League after leading the softball team to the CIF championship, batting .609 while playing first base and shortstop.

PERSONAL: Born April 22, 1987, in Fontana, Calif., to Michael and Debra Burch ... Has 1 sister (Jennifer) ... Planning to major in pre-dentistry ... Wants to become a dental hygienist ... Enjoys wakeboarding and snowboarding.

SEASON   MP-GP   Kills  Digs   Aces   Blocks   Assists
2005   37-126    271    108    31      45        8

Career Highs:
Kills: 17 (11/19/05 vs. Point Loma)
Digs: 8 (2 times)
Aces: 4 (2 times)
Blocks: 4 (9/13/05 vs. Biola)

THIS YEAR: Sophomore Chelsea Daley hopes to return healthy for the 2008 season after offering a glimpse of her bright future in an injury-shortened freshman campaign ... Provides a quality offensive target from anywhere on the court ... Is an efficient, controlled hitter who keeps the ball in play ... Serves, defends and passes well.

2007 (Freshman): Used a 30-kill effort in her collegiate debut to kick off her freshman season ... Finished with 313 kills in 23 matches, ranking second on the team in kills per game (4.14) but missed 8 of the Cougars' final 9 matches due to injury ... Posted a team-high .963 passing percentage and tallied 172 digs to rank in the team top five ... Notched a 10-match streak of double-digit kills at the start of Azusa Pacific's conference schedule, including a season-high 31 kills in a 5-game loss to Concordia.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered 3 seasons at Moorpark (Calif.) High for head coach Brendan Hanson ... Earned All-Marmonte League first team honors after leading the Musketeers to an 11-3 league record ... Helped lead club team Point West Mizuno to back-to-back titles at the 17-under and 18-under national tournaments.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 29, 1989, in Tarzana, Calif., to Mike and Debbie Daley ... Has 1 older sister (Christy), who played volleyball at Cal State Hayward ... Also has a twin brother (Sean) ... Grandfather Pete Daley played 5 seasons in the 1950s for the Boston Red Sox to start his 7-year Major League career ... Has not declared a major but would like to become a nurse ... Enjoys hiking, camping and spending time at the beach.

THIS YEAR: Virginia native Marguerite Hanna is Azusa Pacific's only player to call a state other than California home ... Is one of the Cougars' seven-member all-freshman recruiting class ... An explosive athlete with a good serve, should compete for a regular spot as an outside hitter.

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: Freshman setter Raechel Jones teams with two-time All-GSAC setter Allison Kincheloe, turning the position into one of the Cougars' areas of strength ... Will be expected to help lighten the setting load for Kincheloe, who has played in all of the Cougars' 373 games the past three seasons ... Considered one of the best all-around volleyball players entering the program in 2008 ... Capable of setting, passing, defending and serving at a high level and has been at the center of highly successful high school and club level teams.

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., to 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: Senior setter Allison Kincheloe took less than 3 seasons to become Azusa Pacific's all-time assists leader, and she has been the centerpiece of Azusa Pacific's emergence as an NAIA volleyball power ... Has great court awareness and puts up hittable balls to drive the Cougar offense ... Is a well-rounded player who displays skill as a defender and server ... A tough player who is a proven performer under pressure.

2007 (Junior): Earned the second All-GSAC honor of her career and claimed Azusa Pacific's career assists record ... Was the GSAC's leader in total assists for the third straight season, registering 1,549 assists for the NAIA's fourth-highest per-game average (13.35) ... Posted 3 of the conference's top 5 single-match assist performances, including the GSAC's top 3-game (55) and 5-game efforts (76) ... Also ranked fourth in the conference with 51 service aces, an average of 0.44 per game ... Started all 31 matches and played all 116 games of the Cougars' 21-10 campaign ... Became the Cougars' all-time assists leader when she registered 43 assists in a 3-game non-conference sweep over Bryan (Tenn.) College ... Ranked second on the team in digs with 389, and collected double-digit digs in 19 of 20 conference matches ... Notched 2 70-assist, 20-dig performances, posting a career-high 76 assists with 22 digs in the season opener, then tallying 72 assists and a season-high 26 digs in a 5-game win over Point Loma Nazarene.

2006 (Sophomore): Led the GSAC in assists for the second straight season, finishing with 1,690 and averaging exactly 13 assists per game ... Posted at least 40 assists in 22 of the Cougars' first 23 matches, including a season-high 69 in a dramatic 5-game come-from-behind home victory over Biola ... Ranked second on the team in digs with 412 ... Notched a career-high 29 digs to go with a season-high 4 aces in a 5-game home win over Vanguard.

2005 (Freshman): Fashioned an All-GSAC campaign as she led the conference with 1,786 assists to set a Cougar single-season record ... Was the starting setter in all 37 of the Cougars' matches and played in all 127 games ... Finished third on the team with 338 digs, an average of 2.66 per game ... Had at least 33 assists in 36 of the Cougars' 37 matches ... Named NAIA National Setter of the Week on Oct. 24 after she registered 108 assists (18.0 a/g), 12 digs (2.0 d/g) and 5 assist blocks as the Cougars won a pair of matches ... Was the GSAC Setter of the Week for the weeks of Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Oct. 24 ... Tallied at least 10 digs in 18 matches ... Set a season-high with 72 assists in a 5-game match against Vanguard ... Had a season-high 18 digs and 39 assists in a 3-game sweep over Concordia.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Mater Dei High, where she played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball under Craig Pizanti and Karin Thomson ... Led the Monarchs to a 63-9 record during her 2-year stint ... As a senior received several postseason honors including a spot on the CIF-State All-Championship team ... Additionally, was All-CIF Division II Southern Section and All-Sierra League first team ... Averaged 43 assists per match in leading the Monarchs to the CIF Southern Section finals ... Accumulated 61 assists and 15 digs in a CIF-state regional semifinal match against Scripps Ranch High ... Earned the team's most improved award as a 2003 junior after playing a key role for the CIF Division II state finalists ... Also helped her squad capture the Nike Challenge championship in Chicago.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 11, 1987, in Orange, Calif. to Ken and Julie Kincheloe ... Has 1 sister (Kelley) and 1 brother (Matt) ... Her father, Ken, played basketball at the University of Oregon and Loyola Marymount ... Her sister, Kelley, played volleyball at the University of Connecticut ... An art major who wants to become an interior designer ... Enjoys drawing, music, and going to the beach.

SEASON   MP-GP   Kills  Digs   Aces   Blocks   Assists
2005   37-127     27    338    30      60       1786

Career Highs:
Kills: 4 (8/26/05 vs. Notre Dame)
Digs: 18 (11/5/05 vs. Concordia)
Aces: 4 (9/2/05 vs. Montana Tech)
Blocks: 4 (4 times)

THIS YEAR: Senior middle blocker Kelsey Knudsen is a fixture on the Azusa Pacific front row, entering the season with a 66-match starting streak ... Has developed into one of the GSAC's top blockers ... Provides a reliable front row option for the Cougar offense ... An efficient hitter.

2007 (Junior): Started every match for the second straight season and played in 106 of Azusa Pacific’s 116 games ... Averaged nearly a block per game (0.98) on the season, the fourth-highest average in the GSAC ... Led the team with 104 total blocks and raised her blocking average to 1.04 per game in conference matches ... Collected 7 kills and 8 blocks in 4 games against Biola ... Posted a career-high 9 blocks in a 5-game win over Point Loma Nazarene ... Recorded season-high 8 kills in both of the Cougars' victories over Hope International.

2006 (Sophomore): Started all 35 matches and played all 130 games for the Cougars in a breakout sophomore campaign ... Was Azusa Pacific's leader in blocks (95) and attack percentage (.289) ... Hit for positive percentage in all but 4 matches ... Registered a career-high 8 blocks in a 5-game road win at Biola ... In consecutive matches at the Hastings (Neb.) tournament, tallied a career-high 13 kills ... Recorded 10 kills without an error to lead a 4-game conference win at The Master's.

2005 (Freshman): Appeared in 19 matches, playing 30 games ... Tallied 24 kills and 6 blocks ... Twice had 4 kills in a match against Menlo and Hope International ... Had a .304 hitting percentage ... Recorded 2 blocks in a win over Bellevue (Neb.).

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Christian High in San Diego under head coach Barb Wnek (former Point Loma Nazarene head coach) ... Played 3 seasons of varsity volleyball ... As a senior was selected All-CIF second team ... Helped propel the Patriots into the state playoffs.

PERSONAL: Born Feb. 28, 1987, to Craig and Karen Knudsen in El Cajon, Calif. ... Has 1 sister (Kristi) and 1 brother (Tyler) ... Her father, Craig, played 4 years of basketball at San Diego State ... Her aunt, Lesley, played 4 years of volleyball at UCLA ... Majoring in liberal studies.

SEASON   MP-GP   Kills  Digs   Aces   Blocks   Assists
2005    19-30     24     1      0       6        0

Career Highs:
Kills: 4 (2 times)
Digs: 1 (11/1/05 vs. Hope Int’l)
Aces: 0
Blocks: 2 (8/27/05 vs. Bellevue)

THIS YEAR: Freshman Morgan Moore is the lone defensive specialist in Azusa Pacific's 7-member freshman class ... Brings athleticism and successful experience to the Cougar defense.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 varsity seasons at Rincon Valley Christian High in Santa Rosa ,Calif., for head coach Anna Waller ... Helped lead Eagles to a four-year North Central South League record of 53-1, showing her versatility by playing setter, outside hitter, libero and defensive specialist throughout her career ... Earned back-to-back all-league first team honors her final two seasons ... As a 2007 senior, led Rincon Valley Christian to the CIF Division V State quarterfinals.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 1, 1990, in Healdsburg, Calif., to Tim and Mary Ann Moore ... Mother was a volleyball player at Texas Lutheran University ... Would like to be an elementary school teacher ... Enjoys snowboarding, hiking, golf and swimming.

THIS YEAR: Freshman Robin Portela is an explosive hitter who will help add balanced depth at the outside hitter position ... Not only defends the floor well and is a great passer, has an outstanding vertical jump ... Will likely compete for time at outside hitter and may figure into the competition at libero ... Works hard and has a strong will to win.

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 season of varsity soccer, where she tended goal and played in the midfield.

PERSONAL: Is the third of six 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: Freshman middle blocker Whitney Van Den Berg is an outstanding athlete who shows a great deal of promise as a volleyball player ... Started playing volleyball as a high school sophomore ... Has the athletic potential to be a key contributor as she adjusts to the collegiate game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 seasons of varsity volleyball for head coach Amanda Oliver after picking up the sport at Central Valley Christian in Visalia, Calif. ... First played volleyball as a 2005 sophomore, earning team offensive MVP honors for the JV squad ... Earned All-Sequoia League second team honors as a 2006 junior ... Named 2007 Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register County Player of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to the CIF Division V State Championship match ... Was a 3-time all-league defender in soccer, earning first team recognition her sophomore and junior seasons after making the second team as a freshman.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 2, 1990, in Pomona, Calif., to Rob and Lisa Van Den Berg ... Will be attending Azusa Pacific with older sister Alysse ... Also has a younger sister (Taylor) ... Planning to major in liberal studies and would like to be a teacher.

THIS YEAR: Sophomore defensive specialist Julia Wehsener is one of six returnees to Azusa Pacific ... Gained valuable collegiate experience as a freshman ... Passes well and may be used at libero ... Also has an effective serve.

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-game 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.