Sports Zone

Pleasant Hill duo make commitments; Matt Hartner Tourney

Pleasant Hill head coach Jessica Crawford revealed at the Matt Hartner tourney on Sunday that Billies volleyball player and daughter Claire Crawford verbally committed to Cal Poly Humboldt – a Division II university in Northern California – in December. She officially signed last Thursday, Jan. 16, though.

“I’m very excited about the commitment to Cal Poly Humboldt,” Claire said. “The coaches and team there are great and it is an environment that I can’t wait to be a part of! The school itself is also very pretty and I’m looking forward to experiencing somewhere new.”

Jessica highlighted the school size and coaching staff in Claire’s decision. She said the school is a good fit for Claire, who said she felt supported and at ease during interactions with the personnel and staff.

“I’m happy that she found a way to combine the love of the game and a way to transition into her adult life too,” Jessica said. “It’s a good match for her, for where she is, and the size of the school. It was just a good fit. When she talked to the coaches and was in that environment, she just felt supported, at ease and was overall excited to be there. How cool is that? You know, it’s unique. Not everybody has that opportunity. I’m excited, and I’m hoping that I can make a game or two in between Pleasant Hill High School.”

Crawford

Claire isn’t the only Billies player to continue her volleyball career in college. Cheyenne Green verbally committed to Oregon State University at Corvallis in July and officially signed in November.

Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-League and First Team All-State athlete said in a statement on her Instagram, “She can’t thank her coaches, friends, and family enough who have helped her to this point, as well as the coaching staff as OSU for giving her this amazing opportunity that I am so grateful for. Go beavers!”

Green

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The Matt Hartner Memorial Classic saw up to 128 teams play on the courts of Springfield’s Bob Keefer and Eugene’s MacArthur Court for the three-day event.

Webfoot 18-Elite – with Pleasant Hill’s Green, Crawford, Sydney Brink, Ruby Jackson, and Emily Kruass – shared 5th with three other teams in the Under-18 & Under-17 division that featured 64 teams. 

Pleasant Hill Seniors Emily Krauss and Cheyenne Green playing at Matt Hartner in Bob Keefer.
CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE PHOTO

Game Day 16-1 – a team of Thurston and Springfield players – was featured in the tournament with the Millers’ Jennifer Newell and Leilani Vann. Also spotlighted were Thurston’s Emma Efseaff, Kylee Skinner, Mallory McGuire, and Payton Tovey

Thurston Freshman Mallory McGuire and Thurston Sophomore Kylee Skinner playing in Bob Keefer on Sunday.
CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE PHOTO

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