Former Monarch Hamer eager to play multiple sports for Lady Devils
Friday, August 22, 2008 6:48 PM PDT
By Rick McCorkle
Printable version
E-mail this articleWhen Talia Hamer enrolled at Mark Morris High School, she knew she would eventually attend Lower Columbia College.
She also guessed she was going to be part of the Lady Devils’ athletic program, but she didn’t know to what extent.
Hamer has her roles all figured out now. She has signed to be one of the setters on the volleyball team this fall and will compete for a job at first base for the three-time NWAACC champion LCC softball team next spring.
She said the school’s strong reputation on the sports front influenced her decision to make the community college her destination after high school.
Knowing one of the coaches on a personal level didn’t hurt, either.
“I’ve known Marcy (LCC volleyball coach Gilchrist) forever and she’s like family, and that made it an easy decision,” Hamer said. “I also didn’t feel ready to leave home.”
Hamer earned first-team all-Greater St. Helens 2A League honors while leading the MM volleyball teams to the Class 2A state tournament in her junior and senior seasons. She was named a first-team all-league softball first baseman as a senior, and was selected an alternate to the 23rd annual All-State Volleyball Series. She didn’t play because the team already had a setter.
“I love both sports equally and played both sports as part of life forever,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine not playing either, and LCC is a good school with two sports I love to play.”
Gilchrist said Hamer “has the hands of an angel, and her smile and laugh are contagious.”
“Talia has the softest setting hands I’ve seen in a long time,” she said. “She has a great ball sense and can react to it. Her serve is also amazing because she’s a southpaw who can hook the ball. It’s very hard to pass because it floats at you.”
LCC softball coach Tim Mackin is also excited about Hamer’s softball prowess.
“Talia’s a great athlete,” he said. “She’s a lefty free-swinger who hits the ball hard and can pop the ball out of the park.”
Hamer is looking forward to the upcoming softball season and helping the Lady Devils win their fourth straight conference title.
“I don’t stand out that much when I play, but I have a real passion for softball,” she said. “I’m excited about bringing that love and fire to the Lady Devils.”
Hamer is considering a career in nursing, if she doesn’t receive offers to play volleyball or softball at the four-year level.
“If the chance comes up to play either sport at the next level, I’d grab it,” she said. “I’d be bummed if I had to choose one sport over the other, but I believe if I had the chance to do either, it would be amazing.”
Past Month's Most Commented Stories