Holgate eager to begin her basketball career at Western

Published 10:11 am Thursday, July 5, 2007

Tara Holgate is ready for a fresh start.

Holgate, a 6-foot-4 center from Everett, transferred last month from the women’s basketball program at Eastern Washington University to Western Washington University. The former Snohomish County Christian High School star began taking summer classes at Western June 26, and she can’t wait to start working with her new teammates.

“I heard great things about Western and I’m excited to play for them,” said Holgate, a sophomore who has three years of athletic eligibility remaining.

Holgate received a scholarship to play for Eastern, which competes in the Big Sky Conference. She redshirted one year and then played in all 29 games for the NCAA Division-I squad during the 2006-2007 season, starting 17 times. She made decent contributions, averaging 3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

Something didn’t feel quite right, though, she said.

Part of the problem, Holgate said, was being so far away from family and friends – Eastern is located in Cheney, about 289 miles from Everett. She said she didn’t have specific problems with coaches or Eastern’s style of play, but it just wasn’t a good overall fit.

Now she’ll give it a go at Western, a Division-II program that plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Western coach Carmen Dolfo happily welcomed Holgate, who by 2 inches will be the tallest player on the Vikings roster.

“We’re really excited to have her and … just to get the height issue is certainly gonna add something to our team. She’s really athletic and has great potential,” said Dolfo, Western’s coach since the 1990-1991 season.

Holgate dominated at Class B Snohomish County Christian, now known as North Sound Christian. She averaged 24.7 points and had three triple-doubles in her senior season. As a junior, she averaged 15.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.0 blocks.

Competing for Eastern, often against much older, bulkier players, was a valuable experience, Holgate said.

“I think I’ve just gotten tougher. The jump in competition from (high school to Eastern) was huge,” the center said. “It just helped me develop.”

Holgate joins a Western team that returns four starters and all but one of its 2006-2007 varsity players. The Vikings have high hopes after ending last season with a record of 18-10 and making their ninth straight Division II National Tournament appearance.

Western, which last season averaged 70.1 points per game, plays a fast-paced style, one that Dolfo thinks is a good fit for Holgate: “She’s got great, great athleticism for 6-4. A lot of times when you’re that size you don’t move as well (but Holgate) can definitely move up and down the court.”

It’s not yet clear how much Holgate will play, but she thinks she can enhance an already-solid group.

“Obviously, I’m really tall so I think that can help,” she said. “Western likes to run and I’m pretty good at running for my height. I can play strong on the inside when I get the opportunity.”

Holgate already knows two Western players: redshirt freshman guard Amanda Dunbar of Marsyville-Pilchuck High and senior forward Liz McCarrell of Ferndale High. They all played for the Northwest Heat AAU team.

WWU coach high on Dunbar, Moehrle: Holgate isn’t the only Snohomish County product expected to contribute for Western. Coach Dolfo said she anticipates great things from Amanda Dunbar, a guard from Marysville-Pilchuck, and guard Marelle Moehrle out of Meadowdale.

Dunbar redshirted last season. She had senior-season averages of 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists at M-P.

“She definitely is gonna help us a lot,” Dolfo said. “We’re expecting big things from her as a (redshirt) freshman.” Moehrle is a true freshman who averaged 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals as a prep senior. She scored more than 1,000 career points at Meadowdale, which was 97-10 during her four years on the varsity.

Dolfo called Moehrle a great shooter who is competitive, confident and smart. Her winning background at Meadowdale is a bonus, too, Dolfo added.

“It’s nice to get people from (high school) programs who know how to win,” Dolfo said.