Despite returning eleven players, including the entire starting lineup that went undefeated last season, Menlo College added six talented freshmen to an already extremely talented group as it looks to pick up where it left off last fall.

The Oaks' freshmen for the 2009 season include Mika Mendoza (Aiea, HawaiiI/Moanalua H.S.), Stephenie Monderine (San Clemente, California/San Clemente H.S.), Tana Berg (Round Mountain, Nevada/Round Mountain H.S.), Selina Bumb (San Jose, California/St. Thomas More), Kaili Miyamoto (Waipahu, HI/Academy of the Arts) and Stephanie Wertz (Chula Vista, California/Hilltop H.S.), all of whom are expected to make contributions throughout the year.

Leading the incoming volleyball class are Mendoza, a 5-5 inch defensive specialist/libero, and Monderine, a 5-9 right side hitter. Mendoza was a four-year varsity player in high school and led the Menehunes to back-to-back fifth place finishes in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association volleyball finals over the last two seasons. The Hawaii native will be counted on early to contribute at libero.

Menlo head coach and reigning Cal Pac Coach of the Year Bill Imwalle said about Mendoza, "She can play many positions and play them all well."

Monderine, who is following in the footsteps of her brother and former Oaks baseball standout Rob Monderine, was a three-year varsity starter at San Clemente High School.  The Tritons won South Coast League titles each of the past two seasons. The hitter also earned a gold medal at the 2007 Junior Olympics.

"Stephenie comes from a strong high school and club program and will be competing for a starting position right away," said Imwalle.

Berg stood out at the state level as a high school student in Nevada, finishing fourth in the state in assists and fifth in aces as a senior. The setter was a Second Team All-Southern League selection.

As a high school senior San Jose native Bumb won her second straight Public Schools Athletic League MVP award at St. Thomas More, who she lead to a 53-0 record as a varsity athlete. Bumb was part of four PSAL champions as an outside hitter and will provide depth off the Oaks bench.

Defensive specialist/libero Kaili Miyamoto, another native of the Aloha State, will provide solid passing and defense. Miyamoto was a two-sport athlete in high school, also starring on the soccer pitch.  Wertz is an outside hitter who is expected to provide depth all over the court. At the high school level Wertz was a Mesa League All-Star.