Six sign with Cowgirl volleyball

UW head coach Carrie Yerty

University of Wyoming head volleyball coach Carrie Yerty announced her first recruiting class to attend the University of Wyoming, with six new signees.

“Overall, I’m really excited about our first recruiting class at the University of Wyoming,” Yerty said. “I feel fortunate to be able to bring in the caliber of athletes to this class. I give a lot of credit to our current Cowgirl team, who has actively assisted the staff in rebuilding this program.”

Among the new signees are two Casper athletes and a former Laramie resident. The new recruits include Makenzie Bartsch of Casper Natrona, Emily Rochelle of Casper Kelly Walsh, Reese Roehrkasse of Fort Collins (formerly of Laramie), Camille Coffman of Peculiar, Mo., Cali Miller of Bullard, Texas and Jodi Purdy of Winterset, Iowa.

Bartsch, a 6-foot middle blocker, is a two-time all-conference and all-state selection, while attending Natrona County High School. As a junior, she led her team to 30-5 overall record and the 4A State Championship. This season, they went undefeated on their way to a 4A West Conference and Regional Championship. They finished 28-5 overall and in the runner-up spot at the state tournament. Coached by Sally Nichols, a four-year letterwinner in volleyball, she also earned letters in basketball. She is a three-time all-conference selection while earning all-state honors last season.

An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society and involved with student council. She is the daughter of Lisa and Richard Bratton and she has our siblings.

“Makenzie is going to provide size and depth to the middle hitter position,” Yerty said. “She is a fiery competitor who has a great deal of untapped potential.”

Roehrkasse, a 6-2 middle blocker, is an all-conference selection while attending Ridgeview High School. She played volleyball at Fort Collins High School. During her senior year, she led her team to a Front Range Conference championship with a 13-1 conference mark, while finishing 19-7 overall. Roehrkasse was coached in high school by Lindsey Kerr. An excellent student, she has been a member of the honor roll throughout high school. She played club volleyball for the Norco Volleyball club. In 2007, the team qualified for the Junior Nationals and placed 13th. Her 17 black team placed third at the Rocky Mountain Region, while she was named to the All-Start Team at the RMR Junior National Qualifier in 2008. The daughter of Bruce and Jan Roehrkasse, she has four siblings.

“Reese is a blue collar worker, and always striving better herself and those around her,” Yerty said. “She is a total team player and has outstanding blocking ability.”

Rochelle, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter, is a two-time all-State and 4A Player of the Year selection while attending Kelly Walsh High School. She is also earned all-conference honors three straight years, along with being selected to the Wyoming Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year in 2007. Rochelle was a two-time team captain and named to the McDonald’s Tournament Team. This season, Kelly Walsh went 30-4 overall on the way to a State 4A championship, while the past two seasons they were in the runner-up spot. Her team also won the 4A West Conference and regional championships in both 2006 and 2007. A three-year letterwinner in volleyball, she also earned letters in both basketball and track and field. She was a two-time team captain, while earning all-state and all-conference honors. In track, she qualified for the state meet three straight years in the triple, high and long jump. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the honor roll, while being involved with several other scholastic activities. The daughter of Joe and DeAnn Rochelle, she has three siblings.

“Emily is a great athlete and student, while being a tremendous competitor,” Yerty said. “She will be an impact player in the future for the Cowgirl volleyball program.”

Coffman, a 6-3, middle blocker/rightside hitter, is an all-conference selection while attending Ray-Pec High School. During her senior year, she also earned second team all-conference and all-district honors, while being selected to play in the Missouri-Kansas All-Star Game. A captain her senior year, she was coached in high school by Cara Hornbeck. Coffman played for the Invasion Swat Volleyball Club, as they finished first at the 18 open Northern Lights tournament, second at the Crossroads tournament and fifth at nationals. She is the daughter of Paul and Amy Coffman and has three siblings.

“Camille comes from an extremely athletic background,“ Yerty said. “Her size and mobility make her a versatile player with an intimidating net presence.”

Miller, 6-1, outside hitter, is two-time All-East Texas selection and team captain, while attending Bullard High School. She was named the District MVP, while helping her team to a District and Area Championship in 2006. As a junior, she earned the District Outstanding Hitter Award, while her team won the Bi-District Championship and the runner-up spot in the District Championship. She was coached by Kalya Hanningham. A four-time letterwinner in volleyball, she has also earned letters in basketball and was selected first team all-district and All-East Texas in 2007, and second team all-district in 2006. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society and honor roll. Miller is the daughter of Kevin and Linda Miller and has two siblings.

“Callie has the versatility to play any position on the court and will eventually challenge as a sixth rotation player,” Yerty said. “She is a very spirited and will bring focus and intensity to the court.”

Purdy, a 5-11 outside hitter, is a three-time unanimous all-conference selection while attending Winterset High School. This past season she helped her team to a 40-4 overall record and a conference championship, along with being selected to the senior all-star team. During her junior season, she earned first team all-state and all-regional team honors. She has also earned second team all-state and special mention all-state honors, while earning all-tournament honors several times during her career. She was coached by BJ Eldridge. Besides volleyball, she has lettered in basketball and track and field. In basketball, she is a two-time all-conference and all-regional selection. She is also a three-time state qualifier in the 200-meters. Her IPVA club team has qualified for the Junior Olympic National Tournament three straight years, while she was named to the 2008 All-Tournament Team for the American Division at the this year’s tournament. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, on the honor roll, along with being involved with the student-council. The daughter of Jeff and Annette Purdy, she has two siblings.

“One of the most competitive athletes, who has the experience and ability to challenge for playing time immediately,” Yerty said. “She is a natural leader, and will be a player to watch in the future.”