Mullen's Hoelsken to walk-on to Grizzly volleyball team

ALAMOSA, Colo.— Adams State College volleyball coach Lindy Mortensen announced Friday that 5-foot-9 outside hitter Mikaela Hoelsken of Littleton, Colo. and Denver’s J.K. Mullen High School will walk-on to the Grizzly volleyball team and enroll at Adams State this fall.

Hoelsken was an all-conference and all-academic player for the Vilis Ozols coached Mustangs and earned three letters in an as many years.  The squad advanced to the semifinals of the 2009 Class 4A State Tournament after finishing as runner-ups in 2008.  Hoelsken also played club volleyball in 2009-10 for 5280 Volleyball and coach Martin Larson after spending previous club seasons with Front Range and Colorado Performance helping Front Rang to a third place finish at the 2007 prestigious Colorado Crossroads Tournament.

Academically, Hoelsken graduated with a 3.7 GPA and was in the national honor society while serving as the editor in chief for Mullen’s yearbook staff.  She plans to major in business with hopes of a career in the medical sales field.

“Mikaela is a good athlete and fundamentally sound.  We felt we needed to be deeper at the outside hitter position.  She is a good student and will be a nice addition to our team,” Mortensen commented.

The Grizzlies, who earlier signed five other high school seniors to national letters of intent, will begin practices in August in preparation for their season-opening tournament, the Nebraska-Omaha Volleyball Showcase on Sept. 3 & 4.