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KNIGHT VOLLEYBALL ARCHIVE
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS - 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006

2003
GVC Champion Lady Knights 2003 Team Photo
Untimely Illness
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR
(12/04/03-Shasta College-Jeffrey Jen-Redding Record Searchlight) It is not the season to be unhealthy. Sadly for the Shasta College volleyball team, some of its players fell ill at the wrong time. On Saturday, the Knights fell to Butte in four games in a second-round Northern California playoff contest. Sophomore outside hitter Bubbles Lee played with a fever around 102 degrees according to coach Kelly Brazil, and freshman middle hitter Carly Bagshaw was also a bit ill. The result was a lot of hitting errors by Shasta and the end of a 15-4 campaign. Due to the loss, the only fall sport still going on at Shasta is wrestling (which I'll get to). The bright side for Brazil is this was still a young team that had a strong season. Only Lee and Zeva Knuckles are leaving, likely to four-year schools, and the coach expects most of the freshmen to return next season. Even with the loss, Brazil said about the season: "I had no complaints. All the players really improved as the season went on. Getting our 23rd championship against Butte in our last league match was awesome. " In fact, Brazil compared this year's freshmen favorable to her 1999 squad that qualified for the state tournament. "That 1999 team was sophomore-dominated, but I feel that this year's freshmen are better at this point than when that state team were freshmen." Safe to say she's looking forward to next season.
Knights' Season Ends
CAN'T GET MOMENTUM
(11/30/03-Oroville)The rubber match between conference rivals went to the home team again. The Shasta College volleyball team lost 30-24, 21-30, 30-25, 30-20 in a second-round Northern California playoff game on Saturday night in Oroville. Shasta (15-5), seeded fifth in the NorCals, had split their two matches with their conference foe in the regular season with each team winning at home. The Lady Knights got their biggest win of the season in that championship deciding league rematch. They beat Butte in four games to get a share of the conference title, their 23rd in the last 28 years. Saturday night the Lady Knights dropped the first game 24-30. The Knights got some momentum back in the second game to pull even in the match winning easily, 30-21. But falling behind 9-1 in the third game the Knights were not able to make up the difference until it was too late. Shasta actually outscored Butte 24-21 after falling behind early, too little, too late. In the final game the Knights again fell behind early and outscored Butte late. The Knights fell behind 21-8 in game four and again were not able to get back into the match even though they outscored Butte 17-9. Bubbles Lee had 14 kills to lead Shasta, while Marissa Kraft had 13 kills and Maggie Roberts and Carly Bagshaw finished with nine and eight respectively. Bailey Scott had 32 assist. Next season looks bright for the group of returning Lady Knights. Everyone should return except the two Knights sophomores, Bubbles Lee GVC MVP and All GVC defensive specialist Zeva Knuckles.
Knights Fall Early, Rally Late
KATIE WILSON WITH THE SPARK!
( 11/25/03-Shasta College- Jeffrey Jen Record Searchlight) A playoff game means a lot more intense play than a regular-season match. It took a while for the Shasta College volleyball team to figure that out. Once the Knights did, however, visiting American River couldn't keep up. Shasta, seeded fifth in Northern California, rebounded from a poor start to knock off the No. 12 Beavers 23-30, 33-31, 30-25, 30-20 on Tuesday. Bubbles Lee paced the Knights with 13 kills and 24 digs, while Marissa Kraft had 10 kills, 26 digs and five service aces. But Shasta (15-4) got a boost midway through the second game when right-side hitter Katie Wilson came in off of the bench. The 6-foot-1 freshman had nine kills and five blocks and gave the Knights a big lift to help turn the tide. "We were coming off a break and just didn't seem ready early on," said Lee, the Knights' sophomore outside hitter. "But we had players like Katie step up and get some key points to get us. That's what is so good about our team, we have a lot of players who can do that." Once Shasta got going, American River (9-12) had trouble stopping all the Knights' weapons. Maggie Roberts also had nine kills while Carly Bagshaw finished with seven kills. Freshman setter Bailey Scott finished with 37 assists and 11 digs. Yet the Knights struggled at the start while American River roared out of the gate. Shasta had a poor game passing and combined with some strong blocks from the Beavers, the Knights struggled offensively. "It was like we came out and figured we would just roll, but that wasn't the case," Bagshaw said. "I was worried after that first game. We just had poor passing and our mistakes were beating us. We needed to pick it up." After winning the first game, American River still jumped to a 19-11 lead in the second before the Knights settled down as Wilson came in. The Beavers still led 27-20 on an Adriana Miller kill. But Roberts had a kill and Wilson followed with a block and a kill to start a 6-0 run. After another Miller kill, the Beavers let down and had a pair of errors that tied the game at 28-28. The Beavers had a chance to take the game up 30-29, but a double-hit on Stephanie Mathis ended that chance. Bagshaw followed with a kill and a Knights game point, but Chelsea White responded with a kill for American River. Bagshaw had another kill to put Shasta up 32-31 and an ensuing hitting error gave the Knights the game. By then Shasta finally was in full gear. The Knights took a 12-9 lead early, then Kraft ripped three straight aces. The Beavers never got closer than three after that. The Knights then jumped to 10-4 in the fourth game. American River did go on a 5-0 run to close to 16-13, but Shasta won nine of the next 12 points to take firm command. "We've been a slow starting team all season," Knights coach Kelly Brazil said. "This team has a lot of solid players who can hit the ball. This is a team that is tough and fights back. We've been doing that all year." Shasta now travels to rival Butte, the fourth seed, for a second-round match at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Roadrunners edged No. 13 Chabot 30-23, 28-30, 30-23, 25-30, 15-6. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Knights Host Play-off
AMERICAN RIVER HERE TUESDAY NIGHT
BUBBLES NAMED TO THE ALL-REGION TEAM
(11/24/03-Shasta College) The Shasta College volleyball team earned a No. 5 seed in the upcoming Northern California community college playoffs and will host No. 12 American River at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. The winner will advance to play the winner of Tuesday's match between No. 4 Butte College and No. 13 Chabot. That second-round game will take place Saturday and will be hosted by the higher seed. In other Knights news, outside hitter Bubbles Lee was one of 12 players named to the all-region team, which is selected from rosters representing 42 Northern California schools. Bubbles led the Knights with 300 kills this season and was named the Golden Valley Conference MVP.
Bubbles Lee Named GVC MVP!
SCOTT & KNUCKLES ALL GVC!!!
(11/18/03-Shasta College) The Shasta College volleyball team shared the Golden Valley Conference crown with Butte College thanks to identical records of 7-1. When it came down to the GVC most valuable player, there wasn't a tie as the Knights' Bubble Lee earned the award. Lee, an outside hitter from Central Valley High School, joined defensive specialist Zeva Knuckles, a West Valley High grad, and setter Bailey Scott of Dunnell, MN, on the all-conference team. Middle hitter Carly Bagshaw, a Red Bluff High grad, was an honorable mention for Shasta (14-4). Shasta, which concluded its regular season last Saturday, will find out its playoff seed and opponent this Sunday. Knights coach Kelly Brazil expects Shasta will receive at least one home match which would be played next Tuesday.
Knights Get Title - #23 Since '76
BUTTE NO MATCH
(11/15/03-Shasta College-John Ryan-Record Searchlight) The Shasta College volleyball team used a committee of hitters Saturday night at home to beat Butte in four games to earn a share of the Golden Valley Conference title with the Roadrunners in the Knights' final regular-season match. The Knights scratched out an advantage in the first three games. Shasta then breezed in the fourth game for a 30-22, 27-30, 30-27, 30-18 victory. Trailing 3-4 in the fourth game, Shasta's Maggie Roberts served seven straight points to lead the Knights to a 10-4 advantage — and Shasta (7-1 GVC, 13-4) never trailed again. During the seven-point run, hitters Krystal Bourne and Marissa Kraft accounted for six of the points, Bourne with two kills and a pair of blocks while Kraft threw down a pair of screaming kills. Fittingly, it was Bourne and Kraft who combined for the final three points in the fourth game, icing the Knights' victory. Leading 27-18, Bourne delivered the final three serves with Kraft ending each rally. The first was a block that dropped in between a pair of Roadrunners, the second and third were both pin-point spikes that ricocheted just out of reach for Butte's back row. "They did a great job," Shasta head coach Kelly Brazil said of Bourne and Kraft's play. "Krystal was hitting the ball very smartly and Marissa was serving on a line tonight. We've wanted her to do that all year and she came through for us tonight." Kraft finished with 13 kills, as did sophomore hitter Bubbles Lee. Lee held the team together early. Four of Lee's kills came in the second game when the slumping Knights fell behind and didn't hold a lead until midway through the third game. "I liked to see that when we fell flat there for a while. We were able to pick it back up again." Brazil said. Shasta regained control in the third game as servers Roberts, Bourne and Kraft accounted for an 8-3 run that put the Knights up 21-17. Middle hitter Carly Bagshaw came up with a pair of kills and a block during Shasta's comeback. Bagshaw finished with eight kills and an ace. Kraft's three kills at the end of the third game all but sealed it, putting Shasta up 29-23. The Knights' defense also stepped up its performance in the third game. Led by sophomore Zeva Knuckles, Shasta held the Roadrunners without a point for eight serves as they came back from a 4-10 deficit to a 23-18 lead. Knuckles, a West Valley High School graduate, totaled 20 digs. Shasta setter Bailey Scott dished out 66 assists. The two teams split their two matches against one another and both earn a share of the GVC crown, a title Shasta has held 23 times since 1976. However, Butte will earn the higher spot in the playoff seeding because it only took the Roadrunners three games to win their previous match.
Peaking Knights?
BIG MATCH ON SATURDAY
(11/11/03-Marysville) The Shasta College volleyball team beat host Yuba College in three games on Tuesday, 33-31, 30-18, 30-26. Bubbles Lee led the team with 17 kills, 23 digs and three aces. Bailey Scott produced 39 assists for the Knights (11-4 GVC), while Zeva Knuckles added 25 digs. The Knights seem to be playing their best volleyball heading into their do or die match against Butte on Saturday in Redding, first serve is at 5:00 PM. Knight fans can make it a double header with the Knights vs. COS football game, kick-off at 1:00 PM.
Knights Sweep Redwoods
GETTING READY FOR BUTTE
(11/8/03-Eureka) The Shasta College volleyball team rolled to another sweep with a 30-21, 30-21, 30-11 victory on Saturday on the road against Redwoods. Bubbles Lee led a balanced attack with 10 kills and 26 digs for the Knights (5-1 Golden Valley Conference, 10-4). Carly Bagshaw had nine kills and four blocks for Shasta while Katie Wilson and Marissa Kraft each had eight kills. Bailey Scott dished out 42 assists for the Knights, whose next match is on Tuesday at Yuba.
Knights Put Up Roadblock
QUICK 3 GAME SWEEP OVER COs!
(11/26/03-Shasta College - Jeffery Jen Record Searchlight) Talk about shoring up a weakness. The Shasta College volleyball team threw a block party at College of the Siskiyous to roll to a three-game sweep 30-13, 30-28, 30-15 on Wednesday. The Knights have been successful for much of season thanks to a deep roster of hitters and good defense. But faced with another good defensive unit in the Eagles, host Shasta (4-1 Golden Valley Conference, 10-4 overall) came up with a strong serving and blocking effort. The blocking was a bit of a surprise for the Knights, ranked 17th in the state community college coaches' poll as of last Thursday, since they've struggled in that area this season. Against Siskiyous (2-3 GVC, 4-8), the Knights had 13 blocks, including five from right-side hitter Krystal Bourne and four from middle hitter Carly Bagshaw. "We've been working on blocking a lot in practices," said Bourne, a freshman who also had four service aces. "Our blocking wasn't good at all against Butte, so we needed to get better in that area." Shasta also had 12 aces with freshman outside hitter Marissa Kraft leading the way with five. The aces and blocking were helpful on a night when the Knights' passing was inconsistent. Sophomore Bubbles Lee had another strong performance with a game-high 11 kills and 19 digs, while Kraft added 10 kills. Setter Bailey Scott finished with 30 assists. Bourne had four blocks in the first game as Shasta jumped to an 8-1 lead and cruised from there. At one point, a Lee kill made it 24-7 Knights. The second game started the same, with Shasta taking a 9-4 lead. Shasta was still up 16-12 when the Eagles rolled off an 8-2 run that included a pair of aces from middle hitter Tania Liufau. Siskiyous led 28-25 after a ball-handling error by Bailey, but the Knights mounted a furious rally as Katie Wilson's kill was followed by blocks by Bagshaw and Kraft. Scott had another kill, and then Siskiyous was caught in a net infraction to give the Knights a 2-0 lead. "We never really established a rhythm except for the second game," Eagles coach Dave Fontius said. "We were right there, but Shasta came up with some big plays to pull the game out. If we had won that game, things might have been different. But we didn't and it was tough to bounce back from losing that game." The third game started out closer, and Siskiyous took a brief 8-7 lead when Lee netted an attack. But Shasta reeled off the next seven points, including three aces by Bourne, to take control of the game. Siskiyous never was closer than five after that. The Knights are at Redwoods on Saturday before a match at 15th-ranked Yuba on Tuesday, which should impact Shasta's seeding for the playoffs. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.
Ferocious On Court
FUN OFF OF IT!
(10/31/03-Jeffery Jen Record Searchlight) As a volleyball hitter, Shasta College's Bubbles Lee is ferocious on the court, and fun off of it. Bubbles, an outside hitter for the Shasta College volleyball team, has emerged as the team's top player and an all-around threat during her sophomore season with the Knights. Lee is also a softball standout. Hearing the nickname of Valena Lee — called "Bubbles" by friends and coaches alike — must seem uncharacteristic to those who have seen her play sports. For opponents of the Shasta College volleyball team, the name must be like a cruel joke being played on them. Bubbles? There isn't anything soft and "bubbly" about the way Lee smashes the ball through blocks and defenses — and sometimes into the opposing player's forehead. So why the nickname? "That's the first thing my mom said when I was born," Lee said. "It just stuck and I like it. It fits my personality more. I like to be open and have fun. I don't like Valena. It sounds too serious to be me." So Lee, 20, is actually a funny and friendly person off the court. She's still a force on it. Behind the sophomore outside hitter, the Knights are having another strong season and are still in contention for a second straight Golden Valley Conference title. Shasta is 9-4 overall and 3-1 in GVC play, one match behind rival Butte. Lee earned all-conference honors last season in volleyball as Shasta won the GVC crown. This season, Knights coach Kelly Brazil asked her to step up as the Knights' "go-to" hitter. So far, Lee leads the team in kills, is second in blocks and sports a mean jump-serve to boot. She's gone from being just a hard hitter to more of a complete one. "She has developed into a great well-rounded player," Brazil said about her standout. "Last year, she didn't play back row because she wasn't that good passing. Now teams don't want to serve to her. She's probably headed to a Division II program after this. If she were taller, she could be a Division I player." And then there's Bubbles' other sport: softball. Despite not playing much of it at Central Valley High School — she was all-Northern Athletic League in volleyball and basketball — Lee was too good of an athlete for Shasta College softball coach Sonny Stupek to ignore. By the end of the season, Lee had rewarded Stupek's faith by batting .305 with two home runs and earning all-conference honorable mention. Lee has surprised even herself with her play in both sports and is looking to move on to a four-year school to play both. "Hopefully, I can find a school that will take me in both," Lee said. "It doesn't matter what level, I just want to keep playing and hopefully stay within driving distance of my mom." Not bad for a player who, at 5-foot-6, is the shortest player on the Shasta volleyball team. But given her athleticism and hard-hitting ways, she still seems intimidating opponents — and initially even to some teammates. However her personality usually gets people to warm up to her. "I wouldn't say that she's bubbly," said volleyball teammate and fellow Central Valley High grad Krystal Bourne. "But she's an energetic person, very positive and inspirational." Those who know her best agree that her nickname fits what she's really like. "Bubbles is a very outgoing and friendly person," said Sarah Mantor, Lee's roommate and softball teammate. "Every one thinks she's tough, but she is a real sensitive and caring individual. She's a type of player coaches love to have on their team." Her coaches wouldn't disagree with the last statement. "If ever a nickname fits the kid, this is it," Stupek said. "Bubbles has such good work ethic, she does everything you ask her to do. She is so much fun to be around." Brazil can attest to how quickly Lee can develop. "She's one of the most coachable players I've ever coached," Brazil said. "She and (Knights' defensive specialist) Zeva Knuckles have been real examples of how to play and the kind of commitment and focus you need for the freshmen this year. Being such a strong athlete, she can play any role except middle. If she was taller, she could do that too." For now Lee is hoping to lead the Knights to a strong finish during the regular season, starting Wednesday with a 7 p.m. home game against College of the Siskiyous. "We've got a real strong team this season," Lee said. "We just need to improve our blocking. Everything else, hitting, serving, defense, we're really good at. I think we can go all the way if we continue to get better like we have been." If that's the case, Lee and her teammates could soon be "bubbling" over with success. Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or jjen@redding.com.
In a Hole
SHOWDOWN IN REDDING 11/1
(10/25/03-Oroville) If the Lady Knights are going to repeat as champs they will have to do it the hard way, come from behind. The Lady Knights are behind in second place after struggling in their first significant match in weeks, falling in straight games to the Golden Valley Conference rival Butte Roadrunners. Shasta lost 30-22, 30-23, 30-20 as its offense was plagued by errors. Carly Bagshaw led the Knights (3-1 GVC, 8-4) with eight kills while Krystal Bourne and Maggie Roberts each had seven kills. Bailey Scott had 27 assists and Bubbles Lee had 17 digs for Shasta, which falls a game behind Butte in the conference standings.
Knights Sweep Lassen
Shasta 3, Lassen 0: The Knights had three players with double digits in kills as they won 30-20, 30-22, 31-29 on the road. Bubbles Lee and Carly Bagshaw both had 12 kills, and teammate Katie Wilson added 10 kills for Shasta (3-0, 8-3). Zeva Knuckles led the Knights defense with 32 digs.
Redwoods No Match
OVERWHELMED CORSAIRS
(10/18/03 Shasta College) The Shasta College volleyball team rolled to a 30-11, 30-15, 30-14 victory over the visiting College of the Redwoods on Saturday. The Knights, ranked No. 18 in the California Community College coaches poll, never was seriously threatened at any point during the match. Shasta (2-0 Golden Valley Conference, 6-3) used its depth to simply overwhelm the Corsairs in all three games. Carly Bagshaw had seven kills to lead a balanced Knights attack. Bubbles Lee and Katie Wilson each had six kills and Lindsey Wert served four aces for the Knights. Bailey Scott had 36 assists while Zeva Knuckles had 17 digs. Shasta's next game is at 7 p.m. Friday at Lassen followed by a key match at No. 17 Butte at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Knights Soar Past Eagles
ALL-GVC BUBBLES LEE LEADS
(10/15/03-Weed) The Lady Knights got league play underway on the right foot. Bubbles Lee had a big match as the Knights beat host College of the Siskiyous in Weed, 30-16, 30-25, 26-30, 30-18 on Wednesday. Lee, a sophomore returning All-GVC outside hitter, had 14 kills, 29 digs and four service aces for the Knights in their Golden Valley Conference opener. Carly Bagshaw had eight kills and five blocks, while Zeva Knuckles had 21 digs for Shasta (1-0 GVC, 5-3). Bailey Scott had 34 assists. Shasta is at home at 1 p.m. Saturday against Redwoods.
A Little Defense with Zeva!
LADY KNIGHTS ON A ROLL
(10/2/03-Jeffrey Jen article from the Redding Record Searchlight) In most sports, there are glamour positions on a team. Then there are the positions where players toil in relative anonymity. In volleyball, being a defensive specialist is akin to being an offensive lineman in football. A lot of hard work is done, but unlike an outside hitter or running back, it is rarely noticed. This year's Shasta College volleyball team, ranked 15th in the California Community College poll as of Sept. 24, has no shortage of strong hitters from the outside or up the middle. But the Knights are fortunate to have someone like sophomore Zeva Knuckles in the back row. One of just two sophomores on the team, Knuckles has moved into the position of the libero, the defensive specialist who wears a different color jersey and can substitute at any time. Unlike last season, the libero has more prominent role this season. Knuckles usually goes in whenever middle hitter Carly Bagshaw or right-side hitter Krystal Bourne have to move to the back row. "I'm usually in there for 75 percent of the plays," Knuckles said. "As a libero, I can't serve or jump and I can't set unless it's in the back row. But now I love playing it and being considered THE defensive specialist."It's been an interesting transition for Knuckles. At West Valley High School, she was an outside hitter and setter. Prior to Shasta College, she was never in the back row. However, it just seemed like a natural move for her. At 5-foot-7, she would be short as a hitter and isn't a good jumper either. But her defensive play and passing skills stand out in her current position. Frequently, she is the leader for the Knights in digs in the game, even if she is sitting for portions of the game. Her play has some four-year schools in Oregon showing interest after she finishes at Shasta. "That's better than I could have hoped for," Knuckles said. "I wasn't sure if I was good enough to play at this level, and now I might have an opportunity to continue playing if I choose to do so." To read more about Zeva and the Lady Knights volleyball team check out their roster. Talk about tough scheduling. Because Feather River College didn't field a volleyball team this year, Shasta has an extended break until Golden Valley Conference play begins. The Knights have an alumni game at 7 p.m. Friday, but then are off until an Oct. 15 road game at Siskiyous.
Tourney Champs!
SAN JOSE CITY TOURNEY
(9/27/03-San Jose) The Lady Knights were able to put a big time comeback on Chabot College to win the San Jose City College Invitational. The Lady Knights lost the first game 10-25 but then came back in fine fashion to win the next two games and the tourney, 25-12 and 15-11. Bubbles Lee had 10 kills and 9 digs while Zeva Knuckles added 15 digs. Knight setter Bailey Scott added 26 assists. To get to the championship game the Knights knocked off Modesto 25-21 & 25-9 as Marissa Kraft had 9 kills and Bubbles Lee chipped in with 8 more. In the quarter finals the Lady Knights beat Taft 26-24 & 25-18. The Lady Knights had balance scoring against Taft as Lee, Kraft, Maggie Roberts and Carly Bagshaw each had 6 kills. Bubbles Lee was named the tournament MVP, while Bailey Scott and Carly Bagshaw were also named to the All-Tournament team.
Delta Edges Knights in Five
IMPROVING KNIGHTS
(9/18/03Stockton) The Knights played the defending state runner-ups tough, but fell in five games. Shasta lost to host San Joaquin Delta 30-18, 25-30, 30-20, 27-30, 15-12. Four different players from Shasta (4-3) reached double figures in kills led by sophomore outside hitter Bubbles Lee who had 14. Freshman middle hitter Carly Bagshaw had 12 kills while outside hitter Marissa Kraft and middle hitter Maggie Roberts each had 10 kills. Bailey Scott, a freshman setter, dished out 39 assists in the defeat.
Knights Second in Sac
LOSE TO ARC
(9/13/03-Saramento) Maggie Roberts had nine kills and Bubbles Lee had six kills, but it was not enough as the Shasta College women's volleyball team fell to American River 30-22, 34-32 and 30-15 in the championship game of the ARC Invitational on Saturday in Sacramento. In the first game of the day, the Knights (3-2) defeated Taft 30-20, 27-30 and 30-19. Roberts and Lee both led the way with 12 kills and teammate Bailey Scott added 34 assists. Lee and teammate Zeva Knuckles were named to the all-tournament team. Shasta host Simpson on Wednesday.
Knights Play One, Win Two
SWEEP SWOR IN THREE
(9/11/03-Shasta College) The Shasta College volleyball team got its first win of the season without having to play, then got its second just a few hours later—this time on the court. The Knights defeated visiting Southwest Oregon College 30-25, 30-16, 30-28 on Thursday. Bubbles Lee, a sophomore outside hitter, had 13 kills, while freshman Marissa Kraft added six kills. Freshman setter Bailey Scott had 35 assists and added five kills. Shasta (2-1) came into the contest 0-2, after a pair of losses over the weekend at the Sacramento City Tournament. However, Knights coach Kelly Brazil received a letter on Thursday from Sac City, stating that the Panthers used an ineligible player during its win over Shasta. Thus, Sac City had to forfeit the game, giving the Knights a victory. The Knights next play at the ARC Classic Tournament in Sacramento on Saturday,
opening against Taft.

Lady Knights Start Slow
SAC CITY CLASSIC TOURNAMENT
(9/6/03-Sacramento) The Lady Knights dropped their first two games of the season in the Sac City Classic. In the first game of the day the Knights fell to DeAnza 24-30, 30-19, 30-19 & 30-26. Bubbles Lee led the team with 14 kills. Baliey Scott added 35 assists and Zeva Knuckles totaled 35 digs. In game two against Sac City the Knights played better but still came up short losing 30-28, 30-28 & 30-24 to finish the day. Bubbles again led the Knights with 15 kills. Bailey Scott added 35 assists and Zeva chipped in with another 35 digs.
Youth Movement
BLESSED WITH TALENTED FRESHMAN
(9/4/03-Jeffrey Jen-Record Searchlight) The squad may be mostly new, but coach Kelly Brazil can't help use the word "loaded" to describe the Shasta College volleyball team. Coming off a 14-8 season and a Golden Valley Conference title, the Knights coach believes her team can rise even higher this season thanks to a big influx of talented newcomers. There aren't many players back from last year's squad that finished No. 22 in the California Community College Coaches Association poll. Only all-GVC outside hitter Bubbles Lee and defensive specialist Zeva Knuckles are back as sophomores. But newcomers could be more than enough to fuel high hopes for Shasta in 2003. The Knights should be particularly deep at the outside hitter position. In addition to the return of the 5-foot-7 Lee, four freshmen could see significant playing time. Both Marissa Kraft (5-11) and Krystal Bourne (5-9) come from Central Valley High School. Kraft was headed to Chico State before a coaching change there prompted her to stay in the area. Maggie Roberts (5-10) arrives from Enterprise, while Jennifer Berlinghoff (5-7) is from Shasta. The depth at hitter is a different sort of problem for Brazil. "I'm trying to move people around so I can have my best hitters out there all at once," Brazil said. "I'm so deep at outside hitter, it's going to be tough to get everyone involved." Four freshmen should compete at the middle blocker: Carly Bagshaw (5-10) of Red Bluff, Emily Gardner (5-10) of West Valley, Lindsey Wert (5-9) of Central Valley and the team's tallest player, Katie Wilson (6-1) of Maxwell. Despite all being new to the team, Brazil is confident the quartet can form a solid unit. Moving in at setter is freshman Bailey Scott who hails from Martin County West and Dunnell, Minn. For now, Scott is the only official setter on the roster, though Knuckles spent time at the position at West Valley. Brazil also has considered using Bourne in a backup role. Knuckles (5-8), provided Scott can settle well into the setter's role, should move into the role of libero, the defensive specialist who can substitute for anyone on the floor but can't serve. "Zeva has a really good, consistent serve," Brazil said. "We're going to miss that, but she is so quick and strong defensively. She's very versatile and could do a lot of different things. If she moves on after Shasta, it will probably be in the libero position." Filling out the roster is Alisha Richeson (5-6), a 2000 West Valley graduate, and Judithann Prigmore (5-5) of Enterprise, both defensive specialists. The Knights open the season at the Sacramento City Tournament on Saturday. Shasta's first home game is against Southwest Oregon College at 6 p.m. on Sept. 11. Once GVC play starts, the Knights' main competition likely is rival Butte. With Feather River not fielding a team this season, there are only five GVC teams: Shasta, Siskiyous, Butte, Lassen and College of the Redwoods.

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