Gazette-Times


High school seniors Megan McBride, Jessica Roberts and Alyssa O’Neil have signed Oregon State volleyball letters of intent, coach Terry Liskevych announced Thursday.

McBride is a 6-foot-1 setter/opposite hitter from Mountainview High in Auburn, Wash. She was first-team all-state in 2007 and 2006 and was the South Puget Sound League’s MVP and a first-team all-star.

“Megan is a tall, aggressive, left-handed setter with great potential in a 6-2 offense as well as a 5-1,” Liskevych said. “She has very good court demeanor and is tough under pressure. She has the potential to become a factor in the lineup early in her career.”

Roberts, from Lynden (Wash.) High, is a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter who will enroll at OSU for winter term and thus take part in the spring season.

“She is a very physical athlete with outstanding strength, jumping ability and quickness,” Liskevych said. “With little volleyball experience, she will have a lot of catching up to do. But once she acquires the necessary Pac-10 skills, Jessica could be the ‘who’s that girl?’ of our 2009 recruiting class.”

O’Neill is a 5-9 defensive specialist/outside hitter from West Linn High. She was first-team all-state in 2008 and 2007; the Lions placed second at the 2008 state 6A tournament and won the 2007 state-championship.

“Alyssa knows how to win,” Liskevych said. “She has had great success in both high school and club and was a key part of those accomplishments. Possessing great quickness and jumping ability for her 5-9 frame in addition to spot-on ball control, we see Alyssa being a top defensive and serving specialist with an occasional attacking role.”

The Beavers expect to add several more players before the end of the signing period.

OSU plays No. 5 Washington at 7 p.m. today and Washington State at 1 p.m. Sunday at Gill Coliseum.