Posted by Tim Drain - Tue, Apr 15, 2008 - [ Volleyball ]
After helping Tyler Junior College post its best volleyball record in the program's history, Dalia Serra, Tatiana Kuhn, Shawana Watkins, Naomi Mays and Erica Weden will try to have a similar impact at the next level.  
By JOE BUIE
Tyler Morning Telegraph
Staff Writer



All five have committed to play NCAA volleyball the next two years but have yet to sign.

Three of the girls will be staying together - Serra, Kuhn and Watkins are expected to play for Division II Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark.

"It's really neat," Serra said. "It wasn't something on purpose. We went there for a visit and (the coach) liked us."

Serra, a first-team all-region setter from Sao Paulo Brazil, came to TJC after one season at Navarro. She averaged 10.5 assists per game as a sophomore.

Kuhn, an outside hitter from Esteio, Brazil, also played just one year at TJC. She transferred from Western Wyoming Community College where she made second-team All-American in 2006.

Kuhn made second-team all-region at TJC while being overshadowed by her sister, Leticia, who made first-team All-American for the Apache Ladies.

TJC head coach Dana Hatch said Leticia has signed with the University of Houston, but will not play until the 2009 season.

Both sisters played at separate junior colleges as freshmen.

"We used to play together in Brazil, so it's not new for us," Tatiana said. "(In 2006) we were at different schools and we missed each other, so we came here to be together. We helped each other."

Watkins, a middle blocker from Terrell, was a second-team all-region performer in 2007 when the Apache Ladies went 34-6.

Henderson State (22-10) is coming off its first 20-win season since 2001. The Lady Reddies lost in the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference tournament.

Mays, a middle blocker from Columbus, Texas, is expected to sign with Division I Nicholls State. The Colonels will try to improve on last season's 8-24 mark, including 2-14 in the Southland Conference East Division.

Weden, a graduate of Kerrville Tivy High School, will play for Division III Texas Lutheran in Seguin. Lutheran tied for first in the American Southwest Conference West Division last season at 16-2 (22-7 overall).

"They won their conference tournament," Weden said. "They went to regionals and lost to Austin College. I used to live there so I grew up watching them play."

Weden, an outside hitter, had to make a few adjustments to succeed at TJC.

"I rotated in mostly on the back row, which was new for me because I had never played back row until I came here," Weden said. "It was a good experience and helped me be a better player.

"I served and then I would go in and dig. It was hard my freshman year, but I got better at it. Coach Hatch helped me become a better all-around player."