PORT ANGELES — Praised by coaches and some tearful teammates as an encouraging presence and leader on Port Angeles’ volleyball, softball and girls basketball teams, three-sport senior Ava Brenkman signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Whitman College in Walla Walla.
Brenkman, who boasts a 3.9 grade point average, will be an invited walk-on for the Blues, an NCAA Division III program that competes in the Northwest Conference.
Brenkman said she made her academic decision to attend Whitman first, then reached out about playing volleyball in college. She plans to study psychology.
Riders softball coach Randy Steinman praised his all-league first baseman at last week’s signing ceremony.
“Well, Ava, Whitman College basically just won the lottery,” Steinman said. “They know they are getting a great student and a great athlete, but what they don’t know is they are getting a phenomenal team leader, an amazing, loyal teammate and somebody who will always have the coaches’ back, which I appreciate. I want to say congratulations, you’ve earned it, and you deserve it.”
Port Angeles volleyball coach Jennifer Reynolds also coached Brenkman in middle school.
“I got to know Ava back in the days of Stevens Middle School when she played volleyball for the Stampeders, and it was just a tremendous gift to get to come up to the high school and coach her the last two years and watch her grow,” Reynolds said.
“She just has the best attitude and is encouraging of all of her teammates. She actively works to solve problems and is just a really great all-around player. It’s been an honor to coach you and I’m very excited to see what’s in store for you in the future.”
Riders basketball coach Michael Poindexter said Brenkman possesses wisdom and perspective.
“You and I have talked about it in the past about your growing leadership skills within all the programs, your sense of wisdom about everything you do and your sense of perspective that goes beyond yourself to the whole climate that you are in, and trying to create a good experience for everybody,” Poindexter said.
Brenkman thanked all her teammates and family who attended.
“Participating in all my three sports make me a better person and a better player,” Brenkman said. “I love all you guys.”
Brenkman said being a three-sport athlete provided a broad outlook.
“I’ve had looks at being a higher seed and a lower seed, some of the teams have performed better than others in how we compete, so I’ve learned how to win and how to lose in all the sports,” Brenkman said. “I’ve learned how to be a leader in different ways, whether that’s quieter or louder, and also how to connect with multiple coaches and different teammates, so I think that’s made me a better all-around athlete.”
