Emerald Ridge athletes celebrate next step

It was a crowded signing day at Emerald Ridge High last week, so the Jaguars decided to split their signings to separate days with five female athletes celebrated over a two-day span.

Mackenna Smith (Central Washington) and Ashley Wesenberg (Utah State) signed their National Letters of Intent for volleyball on Nov. 17 while Ayanna Arceneaux (Western Oregon) signed for softball. Haley Bittner (California Lutheran) had her signing ceremony Nov. 18, when she affirmed her commitment for golf.

Allie Bauer also was included for volleyball on Nov. 17, but due to junior college rules, she could not officially sign with Pierce College until January.

“When I went down there, I got to stay overnight and practice with (the team),” Arceneaux said. “It was a bunch of fun with the group of girls and coaches … it was just a great fit for me.”

With her commitment to Western Oregon, Arceneaux believes she found a home within the Monmouth community. Softball is her love. But her passion for the next step is even greater.

“I really wanted the ability to play with a bunch of girls who want to have fun but get the job done,” Arceneaux said.

With her pursuit in political science and a minor in criminal justice as she aims for a career as an attorney, Arceneaux feels her decision to head out to Monmouth is the right one.

Golf has always been a love of Bittner, so it’s only logical that she choose a school where she can always pick up a game.

“They’re a private school because of their teacher-to-student ratio,” Bittner said. “This one seemed perfect for me … California is perfect for golf weather, and it’s always where I wanted to live.”

Bittner has always seen herself moving out to Southern California, not just for golf but for the experience she believes she’ll gain.

“I want to be a bio major, and I feel I can get set up in that major (there),” she added.

Both Smith and Wesenberg knew their choices were made once they each received offers. With Smith’s choice of Central Washington and Wesenberg heading out to Utah State, both Jaguars felt they were heading to the right place.

“I felt it was the right choice once I took my visit,” Smith said.

Back when these two girls were freshmen at Glacier View Junior High, Smith noticed what all the other girls noticed about Wesenberg: she was tall.

Currently standing 6-foot-4, it’s not hard to miss her on the court. Or in the halls at school.

“I saw that she was the tallest one there, but she played really well for her height (then),” Smith said. “She didn’t move awkward like tall girls do at that age.”

It’s a compliment when an athlete’s skills top perceptions, but that’s how Wesenberg has always been at Emerald Ridge.

Opponents would first gaze at Emerald Ridge’s tallest enforcer, and during her career, she became that wall that was always greeting foes with a block and a smile.

“It’s just who I am. It’s easier to smile than to frown,” Wesenberg stated.

Schools like UNLV came calling, but the quiet surroundings of Logan, Utah seemed just what Wesenberg needed. It was where she felt is her next home.

“I got to take some visit there, and I love the campus and I love the girls,” Wesenberg said. “I was pretty interested in UNLV because they have really nice coaches and a good volleyball program ... But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I prayed about it and (Logan is) the right place for me to be.”

Bauer was added into the ceremony as she was a crucial part in not only Emerald Ridge volleyball’s past few postseason runs, but as being a pillar to the Jaguar program as a captain and an inspiration to the team.

“When I visit Pierce College, I just got that feeling. It felt right,” Bauer said.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Emerald Ridge athletes celebrate next step."