PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots volleyball team has signed two incoming freshman who will join the Pilots this Fall, announced head coach Jeff Baxter. Both Jayde Harris and Noelani Helm will be eligible to play for the Pilots on the beach this spring and indoor next fall.

Harris and Helm join freshman Grace Zilbert and Seton Hall transfer freshman Claire Forrest to wrap up the Pilots additions before the 2019 season, as they prepare to reach new heights after a record-breaking 2018 campaign. 

Hailing from Murrieta, California, Harris was the 2018-19 Female Athlete of the Year and league MVP as an outside hitter for Vista Murrieta High School. At the club level, she was a member of Forza1 Volleyball Club, whom finished fifth in the nation in 2019. In 2019, Forza1 also went on to win the Vegas Classic competition, and finished third in the SoCal qualifier.

"Jayde is a dynamic player who is a great fit with our program," said Coach Baxter. "She has played high level volleyball throughout her high school career. We can't wait to have her contribute for us this year."

Originally from Hawaii, Helm moved to Walla Walla, Washington during middle school and became the 2018 Mid-Columbia Conference Player of the Year and was WIAA's 2018 All-State First Team setter for Walla Walla High School. Helm's athletic success followed her off the hard court: during the Spring of 2019, she was the Mid-Columbia Conference Field Athlete of the Year.

"Noelani has an obvious passion for learning, especially when it comes to developing as a volleyball player," said Coach Baxter. "She is a great athlete with nice hands and an awesome court presence. We are so excited to see her grow this season.