PORTLAND, Ore. — With one eye toward honoring its present at Friday's Senior Day match against Sacramento State, the Portland State volleyball team took a step towards its future Wednesday with the signing of three high school seniors as part of its 2024 recruiting class.
 
The incoming players include middle blocker Reece Biesmeyer, setter Allison Panter and libero/defensive specialist Cali-Jo Shigemasa.
 
"Our incoming 2024 student-athletes are great people and great players, period," Portland State head coach Michael Seemann said of Wednesday's signings. "We are thrilled with the impact the 2024 class will have on our program, immediately and as they continue to develop as members of our Vikings volleyball family."
 
The trio of signees add depth across the court for the Vikings next season. Biesemeyer, a 6-1 middle, comes to the Vikings out of Perry High school in Chandler, Ariz. She brings familiarity with the Big Sky Conference with her to Portland State, as her mother, Liz, and father, Mike, played volleyball and football, respectively, at Northern Arizona. Shigemasa, a 5-3 libero out of Punahou School in Pearl City, Hawai'i, also comes from athletic parents, as her mom, Stephanie, played volleyball for the University of Hawai'i.
 
Panter, meanwhile, brings her own athletic credentials as a 5-10 setter out of the Denver School of Science and Technology: Montview in Denver, Colo.
 

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Reese Biesmeyer, 6-1, FR, MB, Chandler, Ariz. (Perry HS)
 
PERRY HIGH SCHOOL
First-team All-Chandler United School District and first-team all-region as a junior in 2022…Two-time All-state honorable mention.
 
CLUB
Played for the Aspire, Club One and Arizona Storm Elite club teams over the past 11 years…Took first place in the 2023 Arizona Region Tournament with Arizona Storm Elite…Was runner up in the American Division with Arizona Storm Elite in 2023…Finished as runner up in the Patriot Division with her Aspire club team in 2021.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Liz and Mike Biesemeyer…Mother, Liz, and father, Mike, played volleyball and football, respectively, at Northern Arizona University…Has two sisters, Hannah Jackson and Raegan Biesemeyer…Hopes to get a business degree and become an entrepreneur after her volleyball career is over…Plans on majoring in business administration with a minor or focus in marketing.
 
COACH SEEMANN ON BIESEMEYER
"Reese has the size and experience in the middle blocker position to impact our roster sooner than later. As a player, Reese is intense, competitive, and ready to work hard to maximize her impact, offensively and defensively. She has a ton of potential, and we can't wait to be a part of her growth and development."
 

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Allison Panter, 5-10, FR, S, Denver, Colo. (Denver School of Science and Technology: Montview)
 
HIGH SCHOOL
Second-team all-state selection as a senior in 2023…Second-team all-conference selection as a freshman and sophomore…Named MVP of her team as a sophomore in the fall of 2021.
 
CLUB
Played for 10 years, the last four with Front Range Volleyball Club.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Elizabeth Panter…Has a sister, Kerstin Panter…Lists going to the mountains, hiking, skiing and reading books as hobbies/interests…Wants to assist people in some way in her future career.
 
COACH SEEMANN ON PANTER
"Allison exemplifies the traits you want in a setter. She has a motor, goes hard relentlessly, and understands the role of a floor captain. She can attack the ball with heat and range, making her an offensive threat on multiple fronts. She has a tough serve and gets after it on defense. She has the ability to impact the 2024 roster immediately."
 

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Cali-Jo Shigemasa, 5-3, FR, L/DS, Pearl City, Hawai'i (Punahou School)
 
PUNAHOU SCHOOL
Finished as runner up at the HHSAA state tournament with her team in 2021…Won an International League of Honolulu (ILH) title with her team in 2021.
 
CLUB
Played for nine years between the Na Keiki Mauloa club, Maunalani Volleyball Club, Spike and Serve Volleyball Club and Ku'ikahi Volleyball club…Placed third at the Transpac Championship with the Spike and Serve Volleyball Club during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons…Won the Transpac Championship with Spike and Serve during the 2019-20 season…Placed second at the AAU National Championship with Maunalani Volleyball Club during the 2017-18 season.
 
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Daughter of Reid and Stephanie Shigemasa…Her mother, Stephanie, played volleyball for the University of Hawai'i…Has two sisters, Camryn and Cayman Shigemasa…Lists reading books, going to the beach, and teaching kids to play volleyball as hobbies/interests…Wants to become a pharmacist or pharmacologist after her volleyball career is over…Plans on majoring in biochemistry with minors in either biology or chemistry.
 
COACH SEEMANN ON SHIGEMASA
"Cali-Jo is extremely quick and has outstanding ball/hand/eye coordination. She is a very reliable passer, with good instincts and a gnarly serve, a great fit for our system here at Portland State. She is a rally extender and can make big plays as a defender."