Skylights ink two Canadian recruits
Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor-rdivish@havredailynews.com

Montana State University-Northern volleyball coach Lisa Handley went north of the border to bring in some instant help for her Skylight squad in the upcoming 2005 season.

Handley signed a pair of Canadian recruits to NAIA letters of intent to compete for Northern.

Joining the Skylights are Tracee Tesch of Selkirk, Manitoba, and Hope Wirll of Regina, Saskatchewan.

Tesch, a 5-5 setter, is a graduate of Lord Selkirk Comp High School where she starred in volleyball and fast-pitch softball. She helped lead Lord Selkirk to the provincial high school championship, earning all-star honors along the way.

She also brought home player of the week honors and was named as one of the top 10 provincial players, according to the Manitoba Volleyball Association. Besides competing in high school, Tesch is also a member of the elite Big Sand 18 club volleyball program.

"Tracee brings a lot of experience and confidence to the court," Handley said. "She is a well-polished setter with a great vertical, who has already received numerous awards for her setting skills.

"With her confidence on and off the court, I'm expecting great things to come from Tracee."

Wirll is a 5-11 left-handed right side hitter, who was also a standout all-around athlete at Dr. Martin Leboldus High school in Regina. Besides volleyball, she competed in basketball, softball and track.

"Hope has a quick arm swing and touches 9-feet-6 inches on her vertical" Handley said. "She is also a great defender and also has some experience as a libero."

Wirll played club volleyball for the Regina Radz, helping her team place first at the provincial tournament and second at the national tournament.

"With Hope's versatility and awareness on the court, we can only expect great things to come with her," Handley said. "We are also very excited to add another left-handed player to the team."

Wirll intends to major in social work.

Tesch and Wirll, join Carlee Hoff of Calgary, Alberta, as new recruits.