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February 6, 2010

Webb City product Erwin joins Balkhi, Olinyk on Southern volleyball team

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sat Feb 06, 2010, 12:11 AM CST

From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

Kelsey Erwin, former four-year starter at Webb City High School, has joined Missouri Southern’s volleyball program.

Erwin, who played the last two seasons at Seminole (Okla.) State College, signed to play for the Lions along with Moorpark (Calif.) Junior College teammates Shakila Balkhi and Rachel Olinyk. Bahlki also played for Lions assistant coach Ryan Meek at Simi Valley (Calif.) High School.

“With injuries slowing the team down last season, we saw the need to add more depth for the coming fall,” Lions head coach Chris Willis said in a press release. “These three athletes give us experience and depth, which should benefit us in the win-loss column next season.”

Erwin played middle blocker at Webb City for coach Rhonda Moore, earning first team all-conference honors all four years. She also played basketball and ran track for the Cardinals.

Erwin was named the conference most valuable player last season at Seminole State, which won regional and conference championships. She ranked ninth nationally in blocks and 24th in hitting percentage.

“Kelsey is a natural athlete who has a great armswing and tremendous lateral speed, which allows her to close blocks and attack out of different areas of the net,” Willis said. “Kelsey has a competitive fire that will earn her playing time and help drive the team to a higher level.”

Balkhi and Olinyk helped Moorpark capture conference titles the last two years.

Balkhi started two years at outside hitter for Meek in high school and was an all-league selection. She was also all-league in junior college.

“We see Shakila as a ‘glue’ player on the floor,” Willis said. “She has great court awareness, platform control and competitive drive. Shakila’s confidence and ability to execute during crunch time shows that she can be a clutch player for us.”

Olinyk was a two-year starter at middle blocker in high school She’s already on campus and is competing with the track team as a jumper.

“Rachel brings a lot of competitive experience and athleticism to the table,” Willis said. “When she combines that with her armswing, we think she can be one of the top middles in the conference.”

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Three juco players join Lion spikers

Webb City product Erwin joins Balkhi, Olinyk on Southern volleyball team

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