Edmonds CC volleyball opens NWAC Championships in Tacoma

TACOMA – The Edmonds Community College volleyball team opens postseason play at the NWAC Championship Tournament as the No. 2 seed from the North Region on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Edmonds (27-12, 9-3 North) comes into the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the NWAC after winning its last five matches. The tournament kicks off Thursday morning on the fifth floor of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The Tritons play a familiar opponent in their first-round match in Linn-Benton CC. The Roadrunners defeated the Tritons in three early-season matches this year – 2-0 at the kickoff NWAC Showcase, 3-2 on the Roadrunners' home floor September 4, and again 2-0 at the Bellevue College Invite on September 7. 

“They have a couple nice hitters, play relentless defense, and serve tough,” said Edmonds head coach Tony Miranda of Linn-Benton, which finished as the No. 3 seed from the South Region and went 27-10 overall.

Edmonds CC volleyball at the banquet

The Tritons have qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year under Miranda. Last year they placed fourth at this tournament. Three players were selected as NWAC North Region All-Stars as announced by the conference at the banquet Wednesday night. Sophomores Sadie Gardner and Haylee Hooper were first-team picks, and freshman Danika Brown made the second team.

Gardner has been a stalwart. She leads the team in kills as an outside hitter, and is an overall talent.

“She’s more than the kills. She gets aces, digs, blocks,” Miranda said. “On any given night she could be the best on our team in any of those categories.” Gardner earned the North Region Offensive Player of the Week award the final three weeks of the season.

Hooper overcame an injury during the season and has stepped up her defense since returning to the starting lineup. Along with Gardner, she is a two-time first-team selection in the North.

Brown has become good at scoring in transition. "She's making herself available to attack. Danika and Jerzie's (Pluid) blocking has made the opposing team's hitter do things they don't want to," Miranda said. Brown is an efficient hitter as well. Her .268 hitting percentage is best on the team and 12th overall in the NWAC.

For Edmonds to advance and have success Miranda thinks it starts and ends with his sophomores. 

“They will have to lead like they have all year. They’ve played all different positions, all six rotation positions," he said. “They’ve been here before, they are tested … on the court, with how we play and how we prepare off the court. They are key."

This year’s team has overcome a multitude of injuries, and Miranda is proud of how the Tritons have bounced back.

 “I’ve never had so many matches and sets lost due to injury on any team I’ve ever coached. This has been a resilient group,” Miranda said. “You lose your libero, lost your setters – the next person has stepped in and played well.”

Gardner has been the only sophomore that didn’t catch the injury bug. Hooper, the team’s returning all-league setter, went down for a stretch. Ludwig, the returning libero, had two injury stints. Weekes, who stepped up to fill a few different roles, went down before the regular-season finale. 

Makalei Watson was the starting outside hitter when she was hampered. She is back, but not to full strength and missed most of region play. Sara Gauna also saw time on the bench.

Now with Weekes out, freshman Erin Doner will step up and assume the opposite hitter role. She was thrown into the fire the last match of the regular season and fared well. The Tritons swept previously undefeated Whatcom in straight sets. “Sara, Erin, and Jerzie have shown glimpses this year,” Miranda added.

In the last five games Ludwig and Hooper have re-established their chemistry. “Our offense works better when we get that good dig, set and swing off,” said Miranda. Down the stretch the Tritons have played great defense which has fueled the offense.

Miranda may have done his best coaching job this season, his 11^th year as head coach in the NWAC. 

“This team believes in each other and they trust each other," he said. "Our depth has been crucial. The next person up for us has been solid and has allowed us to compete.”

Edmonds has a tough draw if it’s to advance on the winners’ bracket side. No. 1-ranked North Idaho College and No. 2 Pierce are both on the same side of the bracket. 

All three healthy sophomores – Gardner, Hooper, and Ludwig – will play in the All-Star Games on Sunday, November 24. The North faces the South first at 10:30 a.m. followed by another match at noon.

NWAC Volleyball Championship Website | Bracket | Scores &Stats | Live Stream (Pay-per-view) | Triton Athletics Twitter

Ashley Lokey named head coach of Edmonds CC softball

LYNNWOOD – Ashley Lokey has been selected as Edmonds CC’s new head softball coach and assumes the position immediately. 

Lokey spent the last two years as an assistant at NCAA DI Seattle University, helping the Redhawks to their first NCAA Regional appearance in the program’s history. Seattle U was 73-40 in her two years there, which included the school’s first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular season and tournament title this spring. Seattle U notched 40 wins (school record) in 2019 and was the first WAC program to win an NCAA tournament game since 2015. Lokey helped with recruiting, coached first base, worked primarily with the team’s lefty slap hitters and outfielders, and organized camps. 

Lokey has previous head-coaching experience at the community college level. She coached at Chabot College, a two-year school in the California Community College Athletic Association, in Hayward, Calif. for four years (2013-2017). Lokey rebuilt the program and in 2015-16 the Gladiators were 26-11. She coached two All-Nor Cal players and eight 1st-Team All-North Coast Conference players and established a track record of academic success with a student-first philosophy. Lokey was also a part-time faculty member at Chabot.   

“Ashley comes highly recommended to us and is the right person to lead Triton softball,” said athletic director Spencer Stark. “If you look at her coaching path, she’s already cut her teeth as a young head coach and her recent experience at Seattle U will help her at Edmonds. I know the team is excited about Ashley and we are thrilled to add her to our coaching staff.”

Ashley Lokey

Lokey is from Eugene, Ore. and graduated from Elmira High School. She started her playing career at Mt. Hood Community College, learning from five-time NWAC championship head coach Meadow McWhorter, who is now the skipper at NCAA DI Portland State University. While at Mt. Hood she was part of McWhorter's first championship team in 2009 and was a two-time selection to the NWAC All-Tournament Team. Lokey garnered NWAC South all-league honors both years and was a NFCA NWAC All-American in 2009. She transferred to NCAA DII Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Calif. and holds the school's record for highest batting average (.437), slugging percentage (.668), and on-base percentage (.528). While at Academy of Art Lokey was PacWest Academic All-Conference (2011, 2012), All-PacWest 1st Team (2010, 2012), and NFCA All-Region 2nd Team (2010). She earned nine Player of the Week honors, and three PacWest Weekly Top 10 selections.

“I’m super excited to come into the NWAC as the new head coach for Edmonds softball. As a former student-athlete in the NWAC, I have a unique understanding of playing at the community college level and moving on to play at a four-year university,” said Lokey. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build upon the expectations and foundation that Edmonds softball has created. I am eager to work with the team and look forward to building champions in academics, athletics, community, and in life.”

Lokey earned her Bachelor’s degree from Academy of Art, majoring in Multimedia Communications and later obtained her Master’s in Sport and Health Science from American Public University. 

This year interim head coach Chuck Stark guided the Tritons to a 41-10 season and an appearance in the NWAC championship game one year after former head coach Sheryl Gilmore led the team to a record-setting 2018 season in which the Tritons finished 42-8, captured the North Region title for the first time since 1998, and placed third overall at the NWAC Tournament. Gilmore is now the head coach at NCAA DII Western Washington University. 

Edmonds has seven returning sophomores, many of whom filled large roles on the squad in 2019. Freshmen Prestyne Kaimi-Montira and Ciena Kauhi were named to the NFCA All-American team, and returners Staisa Micky, Cecilia Robbins, Rhilmina Sagapolutele and Liliola Vehikite were all NWAC North Region All-Stars. Softball starts their fall season in early September.

Tritons title hopes still alive after 6-3 loss

SPOKANE -- Edmonds softball was unable to best defending NWAC champion North Idaho College on Sunday night, losing the NWAC Tournament winner's bracket game 6-3. But the Tritons are not headed home yet. After the Cardinals scored two runs in the second inning, and one in the third, Rhilmina Sagapolutele launched a line drive solo shot in the fourth inning to get the Tritons on the board. The Cardinals touched Tritons' starter Cecilia Robbins for two more runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 5-1.

Rhilmina Sagapolutele
Photo by Dan Acosta

The Tritons didn't go down without a fight. Kayla Hensley and Sagapolutele hit back-to-back round trippers in the top of the seventh to make it interesting. Hensley and Sagapolutele, both freshmen, have combined for five dingers this weekend. North Idaho box score >>

Edmonds' three home runs were the most Madi Mott has given up in a game this year. The North Idaho pitcher was named the 2019 NWAC Softball Player of the Year and is a two-time NFCA All-American with the best pitching numbers in the league. The Tritons should be confident if they get another opportunity to face the top hurler, but will need to put the ball in play -- Edmonds fanned 11 times against the righty on Sunday.

Next up is another rematch with Douglas College. The two North Region adversaries meet for the sixth time this year at 11 a.m. on Monday. Edmonds has won the previous five meetings, including a 3-0 win in their first game Sunday. The winner will move on to face North Idaho in the NWAC Championship at 1:30 p.m. Edmonds would need to beat North Idaho twice to win the title if it can get past Douglas. The last time Triton softball played for an NWAC title was in 1998. Last year's team finished 3rd overall at the tournament. The only NWAC championship in program history was in 1980.

Livestream for Douglas >> | Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Robbins shines as Tritons blank Douglas

Cecilia Robbins
Photo by Dan Acosta

SPOKANE -- After three innings of scoreless softball, the Tritons broke through with two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning and that's all Cecilia Robbins needed to blank Douglas College 3-0 on Sunday afternoon in Spokane. It was Kayla Hensely's two-run shot in the 4th -- her second home run of the tournament -- that put Edmonds ahead for good. Robbins tossed a complete game, scattering 3 hits to notch her third win of the tournament.

Rhilmina Sagapolutele plated Hensely in the 6th on a double that was lined into the left-center gap, giving the Tritons a 3-run cushion into the 7th. Sagapolutele fouled off 7 pitches in the at bat before delivering. Chantelle Shimabukuro was 2-for-3 in the game and had one double. Shimabukuro turned a nice unassisted double play in the 2nd, and center fielder Shanelle Lum made a great grab in center field to end the Royals' threat in the 4th.

Edmonds (40-8) wins their 14th in a row and gets defending NWAC champion North Idaho (36-9) next in a battle of the two unbeaten teams left. The Cardinals have a 15-game winning streak of their own headed into the showdown. They beat Walla Walla 4-0 to advance. The winner of tonight's 6 p.m. game will assure themselves a spot in the NWAC Championship Game on Monday.

Livestream for Edmonds vs. North Idaho >>

Douglas box score >> | Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Tritons mount comeback to advance in winner's bracket

SPOKANE -- It wasn't easy, but it usually isn't at the NWAC Championship Tournament. Edmonds CC softball earned its second one-run victory on Saturday, edging Olympic 5-4. The Rangers scored one run in the first; the Tritons answered with a run of their own on Kayla Hensley's RBI single up the middle. Olympic added a run in the 3rd, and two in the 4th to take a 4-1 lead. Cecilia Robbins entered the circle in the 4th with 2 outs and a runner on third base and fanned Shanya Nisbet, a 1st-team North Region selection, to end the threat.

Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna

Edmonds was down 4-1 heading to the bottom half of the 5th, and that's when the momentum shifted. Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna slapped her second hit of the game into right field with 1 out, and Taylor Shigeta bunted her over to second for the second out. Shanelle Lum promptly doubled over the right fielders head scoring Cacho-Kehahuna. Ciena Kauhi followed with an RBI single to the right-center gap, driving in Lum and pulling the Tritons within one run. Kauhi stole second base and moved up to third on a passed ball. Chantelle Shimabukuro kept the two-out rally rolling with a double to the left-center gap to plate Kauhi and tie the game at 4.

The Tritons pushed across the winning run in the sixth with a two-out rally. Staisa Micky walked, and Liliola Vehikite, a pinch-runner, stole second and scored when Cacho-Kekahuna's drive to the right-center gap was mishandled.

Ciena Kauhi
Photo by Dan Acosta

Robbins held the Rangers' offense at bay for 3 1/3 innings, allowing no runs, 1 hit, and no walks to tally her second win of the day. Cacho-Kekahuna and Kauhi were both 2-for-3 in the game.

The Tritons extended their winning streak to 13 games. Five of their last 10 wins have been one-run triumphs (all of them in May). Edmonds (39-8) faces another familiar opponent in Douglas College (35-10) tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Douglas, the No. 7 seed, knocked off upstart Spokane 4-3 in their second tilt on Saturday. With a win Edmonds would become one of two unbeaten teams left in the winner's bracket.

Olympic box score >> | Softball Championship website | Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Hensley's pinch-hit homer lifts Tritons past Hawks

SPOKANE -- The Edmonds CC softball team erased an early deficit to defeat Columbia Basin College 7-6 in their first game at the NWAC Championship Tournament on Saturday.

Rhilmina Sagapolutele & Chantelle Shimabukuro
Photo by Dan Acosta

The Hawks used a leadoff walk and bunt base hit to jump start their offense in the top of the 1st. After Tritons' catcher Prestyne Kaimi-Montira back-picked a Hawks runner at second base to record the first out of the inning, the Hawks cleanup hitter Kylie Koszykowski cashed in two runs with a double down the left field line. Edmonds got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd when Shanelle Lum lined one into left field scoring Rhilmina Sagapolutele. Sagapolutele started the inning with a 10-pitch at bat that resulted in a walk. Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna moved her up to second on a sac bunt.

Sagapolutele got the offense going again in the 4th when she ripped a leadoff double. Cacho-Kekahuna reached on an error, and Mckenzie Beavin plated Sagapolutele on a fielders choice to tie the game at 2-2. Edmonds pressed on, scoring 4 more runs in the frame. Ciena Kauhi had an RBI single and Chantelle Shimabukuro's single up the middle scored 2 more. Kauhi swiped 2 bags in the game.

Kayla Hensley

The Hawks responded with 2 runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 6-4. In the bottom of the 6th, Kayla Hensley launched a pinch-hit solo home run that would end up being the difference. Columbia Basin mounted a comeback in the top of the 7th, and had the tying run on second base with 2 outs, but Tritons' bump Cecilia Robbins turned the Hawks away. Robbins went the distance and notched her 19th complete game of the season.

The No. 3-seed Tritons (38-8) now move on to face Olympic College (21-21) in their next game at 6 p.m. Olympic upset No. 6-seed Big Bend 7-0 in their first game. The North Region foes met four times this year. Edmonds won three of those and took the last two at home on April 23.

In the first round of games, No. 7-seed Douglas survived against Wenatchee Valley, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th to secure the win. Spokane, the No. 15 seed, shocked No. 2 Mount Hood 11-7. For the second straight year, rain forced a one-day delay to the start of the tournament.

Columbia Basin box score >> | Softball Championship website | Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Edmonds CC tabs Nick Amrine as women's basketball coach

LYNNWOOD – Nick Amrine has been hired as the new women’s basketball coach at Edmonds Community College, effective May 2, 2019. Amrine’s most recent coaching stop was as the Stanwood High School girls coach this past season where he led the Spartans to districts in his first year. Amrine has a great deal of college coaching experience, most notably 10 years as the assistant women’s hoops coach at Everett CC from 2005-2013, and again from 2016-2018.

Nick Amrine

Amrine got his start as an assistant at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., and spent three years as an assistant at the University of the Cumberlands, a four-year NAIA school in Kentucky. He also had stops as a coach with Reno High School and led the Nevada Basketball Academy as Director of Operations as well as instructing in Reno, Nev. from 2003-2005. He is a native of Fernley, Nev.

During Amrine’s 10 years at Everett, the Trojans won a North title in 2007-08 and were NWAC Championship Tournament qualifiers seven times. Everett lost in the quarterfinals in 2017-18, Amrine’s last year on the bench. “Nick is familiar with the NWAC, is connected to the local high school basketball scene because of his experience, and has a vision larger than just winning basketball games,” said Edmonds athletic director Spencer Stark. “It was apparent to the hiring committee that Nick was the right fit for the position. He gets what this is all about, especially recruiting -- of the student-athletes coming in, and then moving them on with their degrees to play after Edmonds.”

“Thank you to Spencer Stark and his interview panel for having the belief and trust in me to become the new women’s basketball coach,” said Amrine. “I will pour my heart and soul into this program and strive to achieve success on and off the court. I’m excited to begin my college head coaching career.”

The Tritons went 10-12 overall last year, the first time the program has reached double-digit wins since the 2010-11 season. Amrine will look to build off that step forward as he returns the freshmen core of last year’s team. Edmonds has already signed three players for next year, which includes Briarra Nakihei from Castle High School in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Stephanie Cannon from Honolulu’s Kaiser High School. Nakihei helped lead Castle to the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) DII state championship this year. Amrine will begin recruiting immediately and plans to announce his coaching staff in the coming days.

“I can’t wait to become entrenched in the culture of Edmonds Community College and add my enthusiasm and energy to a fantastic athletic program,” Amrine said.

Triton softball adds Lirpa Sloof to the fold

LYNNWOOD –- The Edmonds Community College softball team announced the signing of Finland National Team member Lirpa Sloof to a NWAC Letter of Intent on Monday. Sloof is a right-handed power pitcher and an accomplished switch-hitter. 

Sloof played in a 30-game tour against national competition in the summer of 2018. Against some of the world’s best teams she went 24-1 with a 0.32 ERA and 312 strikeouts in 199 innings pitched. The only blemish on her record was a 3-2 loss to team Canada, though Sloof accounted for both Finland runs by hitting two solo homers. During the tour she hit .650 with 17 round trippers and 48 RBI.

Lirpa Sloof delivers a pitch vs. Norway in 2018

“I am amazed we got her,” said EdCC interim head coach Chuck Stark. “Lirpa is an amazing athlete that could play anywhere. Lucky for us she is too old to participate at a Division I school. The fact that EdCC has a great on-campus facility and a fantastic ISS department attracted her to the college.”

Sloof, who is from Juankoski, Finland, moved to Seattle after the Olympic Trials in 2018 and has sort of established residency. She heard about EdCC through some friends who are already attending the college and living in the residential hall located just yards – in her case, meters – from the softball field.

“Lirpa came and took batting practice and pitched to a few of our hitters,” noted Stark. “She was blasting out bombs to all fields and was blowing the ball by our girls in the circle. It was ridiculous.”

Before she started playing softball at the age of 17, Sloof was the goalie for the Scandinavian youth hockey club that won three consecutive junior cup titles. She is also a third-degree black belt in Brazilian-style Jujitsu and an accomplished cricket player.

Sloof is instantly recognizable, not only from her 6-1 stature and menacing glare, but by the word “SISU” tattooed on the knuckles of both hands. Sisu generally means determination, bravery and resilience in Finnish, though the word is widely considered to have a lack a proper translation into any other language. Essentially, Sisu is about taking action against the odds and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity. 

Stark admitted, “Yeah, she’s scary."

Unfortunately, the many years of international competition -- many probably paid -- might mean that Lirpa Sloof will only have one year of eligibility at Edmonds.

“It’s a bit nerve-wracking hoping that there won’t be any issues with NWAC compliance,” said Stark. “We hope this gets by (Executive Director) Marco Azurdia. We have coached Lirpa on what to say and records over there are pretty sketchy at best. Besides, they are in another language – I think.”

Coach Stark also added with a laugh: “By the time anyone figures anything out, I will go back to being retired. Heck, maybe we can get her here for two -- possibly three -- years!”

Howe Takes Over Triton Women's Soccer Coaching Reigns

LYNNWOOD -- Edmonds Community College has named Aaron Howe as it's next women's soccer coach. Howe has a considerable amount of collegiate coaching experience at different levels and takes over the reigns immediately. He has a proven track record of building successful programs, recruiting student-athletes and moving them on to four-year schools, and holds his USSF National B License.

Howe's most significant NWAC coaching experience came at Shoreline CC when he led the women's program from 2011-2014 and both programs in 2013 and 2014. Howe rebuilt both teams, leading the women to four winning seasons, guiding the team to the NWAC quarterfinals in 2012 and 2014. He mentored Hayley Warren, who was the NWAC's leading goal scorer in 2013 and 2014. She was also the two-time North Region MVP and was named the Baden NWAC Women's Soccer Player of the Year in 2014. She is one of many players who have moved on to four-year universities under Howe's tutelage over his career. Howe also developed three all-league keepers in his time with the Dolphins.

His last college stop was at BYU-Hawaii University (NCAA DII) from 2015-2016. Howe assisted both the men's and women's programs for the Seasiders. BYU-Hawaii's soccer teams led the PacWest Conference in overall GPA. In two years, 16 men's soccer student-athletes were named to the All-Academic team and 25 women's soccer student-athletes garnered All-Academic team honors.

He served as the community relations coordinator for the University of California Santa Barbara men's soccer program in 2016. While working for the Gauchos, an NCAA DI, Howe assisted with soccer operations and organized recruiting efforts. In 2017 and 2018 he worked for Kitsap Alliance F.C. and was the head coach, director of high school programs, and director of the CAP program. His first stint with the club, when it was known as WestSound FC, was in 2010-2012 when he was the youth development director and head coach.

Aaron Howe

Howe was a graduate assistant at Gonzaga University from 1999-2002 and led the women's JV program in addition to teaching courses in the Physical Education department. He assisted the Spokane Community College men's team in 2001, and was the head women's soccer coach and assistant for the men's program at Wenatchee Valley College from 2002-2003. From 2004-2005 he was the head men's soccer coach at Pierce College. He is also a former student-athlete in the NWAC, as he played for South Puget Sound CC.

His coaching journey includes stops as boys soccer coach at Decatur High School from 2015-2016, and at Foster High School from 2014-2015. Howe's club experience includes stints with the FC Royals, Federal Way United, West Sound F.C., Snohomish United, Washington Premier, and Kitsap Alliance. He has two state championships with girls 18U teams and has directed youth academy camps and ID camps. He's also coached in various ID camps with other four-year coaches. Howe's specialty is working with goal keepers, something he has done at every coaching post he's held.

Howe's non-coaching sport-related work gives him a unique perspective that should aid the program's success. He also worked for the Seattle Sounders for two years helping with public relations and marketing. "Aaron has successful NWAC coaching experience and will be able to attract quality recruits because of his ability to move players on to the next level," Stark said. "He's a continual learner, and has been in a variety of roles as a coach. His wealth of experience will serve him well here. I know he will be a tireless recruiter."

"I'd like to thank Mr. Stark and the committee for this opportunity. I'm looking forward to joining this great program and build on the foundation Adam laid last year," Howe said. "We have great leadership, facilities and support at Edmonds CC. This can be a great opportunity for student-athletes to get a high quality education and get to the next level. I am very excited to start recruiting to build this winning team."

Howe earned his Bachelor's degree from Washington State University, and later obtained his Master's from Gonzaga University in Sport and Athletic Administration. He can be reached at 253-632-6598 or ahowe@zagmail.gonzaga.edu.

Women's soccer seeks next head coach

LYNNWOOD -- Adam Fenster recently resigned as the women's soccer coach at Edmonds after one season at the helm. The Tritons went 9-7-2 under Fenster, and resurfaced as a playoff team after a three-year hiatus. The program is now looking for its next head coach.

"Adam decided to take his life in a new direction," said athletic director Spencer Stark. "We wish him well in his next endeavors and thank him for the last two years here at Edmonds (Fenster was an assistant in 2017)."

Triton women's soccer has won four North Region titles, and two Northwest Athletic Conference championships (2000 & 2002). The Tritons play their home matches at Triton Field, on a soccer pitch that is one of the largest in Snohomish County at nearly 40,000 square feet. The multi-sport complex is lighted, all-turf, and is shared by all outdoor sports.

Lexi Ramirez

"I really feel we have a great situation for someone to step in here and continue what Adam started last year. There is a great group of sophomores returning, and Triton Field is a great soccer facility," said Stark.

Freshmen forwards Katy Ewoniuk (South Sandy, Utah) and Mariah Davis (Lynnwood, Wash.) were all-league selections this past fall. Defender Lexi Ramirez (Lake Stevens, Wash.) also returns after being named to the NWAC All-Star Team.

The search for a new head coach is underway. For information on the job, go here. The position is open until filled. "We have our hiring committee ready; our goal is to have the next head coach in place by March 1 so they can get their feet under them, hit the recruiting trail, and to be ready for the spring season on April 1," Stark said.

Ensign resigns, Thompson takes over as interim head coach

LYNNWOOD -- The Edmonds Community College women's basketball program has a change in leadership. Effective January 18, 2019, Kirsten Thompson has assumed the role of interim head coach. Thompson takes over for Eric Ensign, who stepped down for personal reasons. She joined the staff this fall as an assistant.

Ensign landed a new job as the Ballard High School athletic director over the summer and ultimately tired of the balancing act between the two responsibilities. "Due to the demands of my new job, I don't believe I can dedicate the time necessary to help fully develop our players athletically and socially. I am unable to put the time in that our players need and deserve," said Ensign. He acknowledged the situation would be challenging this year but recently realized it was not only affecting the program, but himself personally. His intention was to stay on for all of the girls he recruited.

The women's basketball program had struggled for many years, but Ensign spearheaded the effort to change that. Coming off a winless season in 2016-17, Ensign led the Tritons to five wins last year, the most since the 2012-13 campaign. Edmonds' seven wins this year have already matched the win total in that 2012-13 season. Additionally, the team GPA last year was the highest of any women's hoops squad over the past seven years. There are also noticeable changes on the roster, not only with the quality of players, but the number of student-athletes on the team. Edmonds has tremendous depth with 17 players in the program currently.

"Eric spent an enormous amount of time and energy the past two years recruiting. I believe he has laid the foundation for the women's basketball program to be competitive year in and year out moving forward, and for that I am extremely grateful," said athletic director Spencer Stark. "Coaching at our level already presents challenges, but having to build from ground zero takes an entirely different amount of commitment. He raised expectations."

Kirsten Thompson

Thompson prepped at Monroe High School, graduating in 2005 as a decorated basketball player who earned many accolades. She has the distinction of being the first female to be named as an All-American from Washington State. Thompson was selected to play in the 2005 McDonald's All-American Game and was first-team All State. She went on to play four years at NCAA DI Arizona State University in the Pac-10. As a sophomore Thompson was sixth overall in field goal percentage in the conference; as a junior she earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors. After graduating from ASU she went on to play professionally overseas in Germany and Greece. Before arriving at Edmonds she helped with skill development for several AAU teams and assisted at Jackson High School last year. Read her full bio

When asked about stepping into her new role she said, "Never fear the unexpected but always be prepared." Thompson is confident in her abilities and wants to create a program where students learn the value of discipline and accountability. She will lean on her experience as a Division I student-athlete and try and replicate that as much as possible in the community college setting.  "I want to help these girls grow into young women," she added.

Heading into Wednesday's home tilt with Bellevue, the Tritons are 7-5 overall and have a 2-2 mark in the NWAC North Region. They find themselves right in the hunt for playoff contention -- something the program has not experienced since 2010.

"I believe Kirsten will bring consistency, structure, and strong organization skills to the table. She is a good communicator. Her most important task won't be to win basketball games; it will be to support the team and create a positive student-athlete experience," said Stark.