SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head beach volleyball coach Diana Villalpando has brought in 15 additions to the squad for the upcoming 2022 campaign, with this year's recruiting class boasting a varied mix of incoming freshman and junior-college transfers.

"This year's new recruits bring in a lot of beach experience," said Villalpando. "They will be a great addition to what we have already established in our program. In addition, we have brought in two transfers with collegiate beach experience, and that is going to help us a lot in our search for a run in the first-ever NAIA Beach Volleyball Championship Tournament."

Thirteen of the newcomers have come from outside of Corban's campus, while a pair of the additions—Avari Ridgway and Makenna Campbell—have already attended the university as standout members of the Warrior indoor volleyball program.

Below is a brief look at each of the 13 first-year Warriors' accomplishments prior to joining the Navy and Gold roster.

Cameron Keeling – 5'10" – Dana Hills HS/Cal-State Fullerton/Santa Monica College – Laguna Beach, Calif.

The first of two Keeling sisters to join the Navy and Gold, both Cameron and her sibling Kianna transfer into the Warrior roster for the 2022 campaign. Having previously competed on the sand at Santa Monica College and Dana Hills High School, Cameron Keeling brings dynamic athleticism to the Warrior roster. She was a multi-sport athlete in high school—competing on the volleyball court and the softball field—and she excelled in beach volleyball for the American Beach, Sand Soul, and Hermosa Beach club teams.

Keeling plans to major in media arts while attending Corban.

Kianna Keeling – 5'9" – Dana Hills HS/Santa Monica College – Laguna Beach, Calif.

The other Keeling sister to join the Warrior roster, Kianna Keeling also is a product of Dana Hills and Santa Monica College. In the realm of indoor competition, she was a three-year varsity standout on the court at Dana Hills, being named the team MVP her sophomore season, and helping lead the squad to the CIF each year. In addition to competing on the sand for Santa Monica, she also excelled for the Hermosa Beach Volleyball Club, and her experience should be valuable for the Navy and Gold.

Keeling intends to study business during her time at Corban.

Avaree DuMars – 5'9" – Cascade Christian HS – Buckley, Wash.

Coming to the 'City on a Hill' from Buckley, Wash., DuMars boasts a strong pedigree from her time at Cascade Christian High School. While competing there, she helped lead the squad to the League Championship in 2021, and she also played club volleyball with NPJ, Kent Juniors, and Lake Tapps VBC during her high school career.

DuMars hopes to study health science while in Salem.

Megan Dennis – 5'6" – Saint Pius X – Rio Rancho, N.M.

Originally hailing from Rio Rancho, N.M., Dennis put together a decorated indoor volleyball career at Saint Pius X prior to her arrival in Salem. In 2018, she was a Second-Team All-State and All-District honoree, and in 2019, she was a First-Team All-District and All-State award-winner, as well as an All-Metro Second-Team honoree. She helped lead her squad to a State Championship in that season, and in the following year (2020), she once again collected First-Team All-State accolades. During the club season, she competed for New Mexico Premier and the BCVA Beach National Team.

Dennis intends to major in psychology during her time in Salem.

Ashley Walker – 6'1" – Connell HS – Connell, Wash.

A native of Connell, Wash., Walker comes to Corban after a strong career at Connell High School. She was a star on the indoor volleyball court there, while also competing on the diamond as a member of the softball team. In volleyball, she tallied over 130 kills in 2021, ranking second on her team, having eclipsed the 100-kill plateau twice in her career. She was a three-time All-League honoree on the court, and she will look to make an immediate impact on the sand for the Navy and Gold come springtime.

Walker is studying political science at the university.

Maya Blake – 5'10" – Post Falls HS – Post Falls, Idaho

A standout indoor volleyball and basketball player at Post Falls High School, Blake joins the Navy and Gold after an award-winning high school career. Blake was a two-time All-League award-winner while competing as a middle blocker for the squad, and she is no stranger to big matches. Blake helped lead Post Falls to a League Championship in her senior season, eventually concluding in a fifth-place finish at the state tournament.

Blake aspires to major in psychology during her time in Salem.

Abigail Blaszczyk – 5'7" – Homeschooled – New Richmond, Wis.

Coming to the capital city all the way from New Richmond, Wis., Blaszczyk brings defensive expertise the Warrior ranks. During her high-school tenure, she was awarded Defensive Player of the Year accolades, and she shined for the Kokoro club team, which won gold in the Big City Luau and finished second in the Winter Classic Tournament during her time with the squad.

Blaszczyk is set to study kinesiology while attending Corban.

Jessica McMillian – 5'8" – Eaglecrest HS – Centennial, Colo.

Hailing from Centennial, Colo., McMillian was a star on the indoor volleyball court for Eaglecrest High School prior to joining the Warrior beach team. While competing there, she was recognized for her performance both on the court and in the classroom, being named to the Academic All-State First Team for her exceptional efforts both on and off the court. Additionally, she competed for the Believe Volleyball club.

McMillian intends to hone her studies in film and communications while at Corban.

Andrea Roth – 5'5" – North Lake HS – Christmas Valley, Ore.

Roth, a native of Christmas Valley, Ore., was a star three-sport athlete at North Lake High School before her time as a Warrior. Her pedigree in indoor volleyball, basketball, and track & field is impressive, having earned All-League honors on the basketball court, Outstanding Female Athlete plaudits twice in track & field, and earning the state championship in the triple jump. On the volleyball court, she was an All-League honoree twice, a two-time Team MVP and Hustle Award winner, and was honored with the Serving Award for her efforts off the court, as well.

Hi'ilani Burgess-Correia – 5'6" – Maryknoll HS – Honolulu, Hawaii

Coming to the Willamette Valley from the capital city of Hawaii, Burgess-Correia hopes to make an impact for the Warriors on the sand this spring. Prior to joining the Navy and Gold, she attended Maryknoll High School, where she was a setter on the indoor volleyball team and a member of the track program, as well.

Burgess-Correia intends to study health science while in Salem.

Jolie Keanini – 5'7" – Kamehameha Schools Kapalama – Honolulu, Hawaii

Another product of the Aloha State, Keanini attended Kamehameha Schools Kapalama for high school, where she took part in three years of indoor volleyball. At the club level, Keanini participated on the Na Keiki Mauloa, Maunalani, and Aloha State club teams over the course of her prep career.

Keanini plans to study kinesiology during her time at the university.

Lacey Franklin – 5'10" – Linfield Christian HS – Temecula, Calif.

Coming to Corban from southern California, Franklin is a native of Temecula. She competed on the indoor volleyball court for Linfield Christian School, excelling in her four-year span with the team.

Franklin intends to hone her studies in criminal justice while at Corban.

Zayla Sismar-Evangelista – 5'4" – St. Francis HS/Rogue CC – Kailua, Hawaii

Bringing collegiate indoor volleyball experience to the Warrior ranks, Sismar-Evangelista competed on the court at Saint Francis during her high-school career before attending Rogue Community College for two years. She was a multi-sport standout at St. Francis, participating in four sports during her time there. She then honed her talents on the court, helping Rogue CC to two South Region Championships.

Sismar-Evangelista plans to major in kinesiology while attending Corban.

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