Sarah
Tjaden (front row, center) of East Sac County High School, signs a national
letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Des Moines Area Community
College (DMACC). Those taking part in the signing ceremony include: Sarah’s
mom, Susie Frank (front row, left) and Sarah’s dad, Scott Tjaden (front
row, right), DMACC Head Volleyball Coach Patty Harrison (back row, left
to right), DMACC Assistant Coach Greta Billerbeck and East Sac Volleyball
Coach Dave Waggie.
The 5’ 7” Tjaden has been a four-year starter who was named to the First Team All-Conference selection all four years in high school. In addition, she was also named to the All-District Team, was a First Team All-State selection in Class 1A, was a First Team Des Moines Register selection and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the State Volleyball Tournament in 2006.
Tjaden received the Channel 4 player of the week honor, as well as the Sioux City Journal Player of the Week Award. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at tournaments at Schaller Crestland, Rockwell City and Battle Creek Ida Grove.
“Despite being only 5’ 7” tall, Tjaden has a 23 inch vertical jump and has demonstrated her volleyball skills for the past four years in high school,” said DMACC Head Volleyball Coach Patty Harrison. “She is also an honor student who has the ability to step in and contribute on the collegiate level right away.”
Tjaden joins the Bears, who have advanced to the National Junior College
Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Volleyball Tournament
for the past three consecutive years. The Bears finished eighth in the national
tournament and had a 41-9 overall record in 2008.