By Tiffany L. Rehbein
C.M. Russell standout Dianne Radcliffe and Jennifer Derr of Clark Fork, Idaho, have signed national letters of intent to play volleyball for the MSU-Northern Skylights, announced Lisa Handley, head coach.
"Dianne touches 9-foot-6 or better and is extremely quick to the ball," Handley said. "She is well-trained in the fundamentals of volleyball and will be a great addition to the team."
Radcliffe is a senior middle hitter at CMR, a volleyball team who is looking to defend is State Class AA title this season. They have gone two-straight seasons without a loss.
She was named All-State honorable mention her junior year and tallied the most team blocks (110) in 1999.
Radcliffe was the recipient of the Brigham Young Universities Coach's Award in 1998.
Derr is a 5-foot-4 setter from Idaho.
Although Derr's size was a concern to Handley initially, after watching her perform on the court the coach was sold.
"Jennifer is a natural leader with great consistency as a setter," Handley said. "She is able to get to almost every ball offensively and defensively. She is a sparkplug."
Derr is a four-year starter for her high school, as well as a member of Splash Adidas Elite, and the Clark Fork Valley volleyball club.
She was a three-year selection to the All-North Idaho volleyball team.
Derr was also named to several tournament teams, including the Canadian National Open, Priest River Volleyball tournament where she was awarded co-MVP and the North Star All-League volleyball.
Her most recent honor was her being named a member to the six-team all-tournament team in the Spokane Splash tournament, held last weekend.
