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Lathrop’s Andrade lands spot on Cal Poly Humboldt volleyball team
Elizabeth Andrade
Lathrop High graduate Elizabeth Andrade is all smiles after signing a letter of intent to play volleyball for Cal Poly Humboldt on May 16. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Elizabeth Andrade’s dream came true at the Happiest Place on Earth.

It was during her senior grad-night trip to Disneyland on May 9 when she found out that Cal Poly Humboldt’s women’s volleyball coaches had honored her wish to join their team.  

One week later, at Lathrop High, she signed a letter of intent to compete for the Lumberjacks at the NCAA Division II level.

“They texted me the morning of grad night, and I was on the bus,” Andrade said, noting that she had connected with the coaches via video call the night before. “I told them I can go on call when I get there, because I wanted to know what their decision was no matter what.”

Head coach Angela Spoja’s decision was to take the chance on the reigning Western Athletic Conference MVP.

Andrade had already been accepted into Cal Poly Humboldt and decided to devote her next stage in life in scenic Arcata, but she was not ready to give up volleyball. So, she reached out to the coaches in the spring.

“It was so late in the recruiting process,” Andrade said. “They didn’t reply back at first, but I just stayed consistent with it and they eventually replied.

“I saw that they may have a need for a few more defensive players, so I just shot my shot, and apparently, I was what they were looking for.”

Elizabeth Andrade
Joining Elizabeth Andrade on her signing event on May 16 at Lathrop High are LHS volleyball coaches Arlene and Toa Fa’ali’i, from left, Vice Principal Heather Anderson, father Manuel Andrade and mother Mona Liza Dasalla. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

A defensive specialist with Rage Volleyball Club, Andrade was a six-rotation standout for Lathrop and filled a need at outside hitter in her three-year varsity career. She made the All-WAC team twice and led the Spartans to their first conference title since 2019 last fall. 

Andrade was one of the most efficient hitters in the Sac-Joaquin Section in her senior year, totaling 306 kills with 82 service aces and 200 digs. She hopes that her all-around abilities serve her well at the next level where she can contribute as a back-row attacker.

“I really only hit in high school, but I know I’ll have to be in the back row with my height,” Andrade said. “Gotta be realistic about it. I think (her experience hitting for Lathrop) makes me a well-rounded player. I definitely had fun hitting, but I’m hoping I can do a little bit of that at Humboldt.”

The Lumberjacks have made steady improvements in Spoja’s first three years at the helm. This past season, they went 8-14 overall, and it was their highest win total since finishing 13-13 in 2016. Cal Poly Humboldt is part of the competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Andrade chose Cal Poly Humboldt because of the beautiful natural surroundings and small-town atmosphere on campus. She will study kinesiology.

“Honestly, it still feels unreal,” she said. “It’s definitely very exciting to be able to continue playing at a higher level and grow more than I already have in the past four years in high school.”