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Nov. 20, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Two outside hitters who have played volleyball together since the seventh grade have signed national letters of intent to continue their careers at Western Washington University. They are Emily Cotter and Samantha Hutchinson from Curtis High School in Tacoma.

Both Cotter and Hutchinson were first-team Tacoma News Tribune all-Area picks as seniors, Cotter for the second straight year. They also were first-team all-South Puget Sound League South Division choices, Hutchinson for the second consecutive season.

The duo helped Curtis to three straight Class 4A state tournament appearances, the first for the school in 29 years. The Vikings placed second at state this fall, finishing with an 18-3 record, and won a second straight West Central District title. They were fifth at state in 2008 and seventh in 2007.

"Talk about two student-athletes who play with a passion for the game!" said Western coach Diane Flick. "They play every moment with energy and a spirit that is so infectious."

Cotter, who was an all-tournament pick at state, had 360 kills and a .312 attack percentage, 292 digs and 33 service aces.

"Emily is a competitor with a live arm," Flick said. "She can definitely bring the heat, but she can also move the ball around to keep defenders guessing."

Hutchinson, who survived a near-fatal bout with bacterial meningococcal meningitis during the summer, had 228 kills on .288 hitting and 353 digs.

"Sam makes defense look easy," said Flick, who will move Hutchinson to a libero/defensive specialist position. "She has great anticipatory skills and plays the game with ease. After what she went through this past summer, she has a perspective on playing that we all could learn from."

Western is coming off a 17-10 season, tying for third-place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference at 10-6.

EMILY COTTER, Outside hitter, 5-10, 18, 6/19/92, Freshman, University Place, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: Twice first-team Tacoma News Tribune all-Area pick at Curtis High School ... Also all-South Puget Sound League South Division choice as senior, helping Vikings to 18-3 record, second straight West Central District title and second place at Class 4A state tournament ... State all-tournament pick ... Had 360 kills with .312 attack percentage, 292 digs and 33 service aces ... Had school-record 31 kills in match against Graham-Kapowsin ... Played on teams that finished fifth at state as junior, missing most of league season with injured shoulder, and seventh as sophomore ... CHS inspirational award winner as junior and team MVP as sophomore ... Won Junior Olympic Bronze Medal in beach volleyball ... In summer of 2007, earned trip to Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. ... Started and lettered three years ... Also lettered three years in both basketball and tennis ... Honorable mention all-league in basketball as junior.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in sports medicine.

SAMANTHA HUTCHINSON, Libero/Defensive Specialist, 5-8, 18, 6/03/92, Freshman, University Place, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Tacoma News Tribune all-Area choice as senior at Curtis High School ... Also all-South Puget Sound League South Division pick for second straight year ... Helped Vikings to 18-3 record, second straight West Central District title and second place at Class 4A state tournament as senior ... Had 228 kills with a .288 hitting percentage and 352 digs ... Survived near-fatal bout with bacterial meningococcal meningitis during summer of 2009 ... Played on teams that finished fifth at state as junior and seventh as sophomore ... Started and lettered three years ... Won Junior Olympic Bronze Medal in beach volleyball.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in exercise science.