Claiming Her Spot Among Gsl’s Best North Central’s Wilson Part Of Indians’ 1-2 Punch

Aimee Wilson reacts quickly to most events on and off the volleyball court.

One recent statement, however, threw her completely off base.

“Really? People have said that?” said a startled Wilson upon hearing that some consider her one of the Greater Spokane League’s top three volleyball players.

The concept is foreign to Wilson because she has long played in the shadow of 6-foot North Central teammate Tamara Van Engelen.

Van Engelen, a GSL first-teamer last year, has been recruited to play for the University of Washington.

Wilson is also headed to a Division I program - Gonzaga University - but remembers her disappointment when last year’s all-GSL team didn’t even list her at honorable mention.

“When people look at players,” said the 5-10 Wilson, “they look for the big kill. I’ve always been a step behind (Tamara). Looking up at her head is how I’ve felt.”

NC may look to Van Engelen for the sure kill, but there’s plenty else for Wilson to do. Wilson is known for her all-around play more than for monster spikes.

Behind the 1-2 punch, the Indians (9-7) had their best GSL season since 1985. If NC wins tonight’s loser-out District 8-AAA match against University, it will qualify for the Region IV Tournament.

NC’s season didn’t begin so gloriously. Three players from last year’s team didn’t turn out (one has since returned), so the Indians started with a roster of nine.

Three weeks into the season, in a match against Central Valley, Wilson went up for a block on a ball that had already been whistled dead. A CV player slammed the ball into the fourth finger of Wilson’s left hand.

“My finger was sticking out at an angle,” Wilson said of the dislocation. “It was really ugly. The whole crowd made throw-up sounds.”

X-rays quelled Wilson’s fear that her year was over. Her doctor recommended a quick return, as long as she taped her non-hitting hand.

NC soon caught fire, winning both league matches against U-Hi and rising as high as third in the standings.

The Indians have been swept by the teams ahead of them in the standings - champion Gonzaga Prep, second-place Ferris and Lewis and Clark - but Wilson believes each team can be had.

“No NC team has made it as far as we think we can make it,” she said.

Aimee (pronounced Uh-MAY) is the last in line of talented siblings. Brother Corey finished second in the high hurdles and third in the low hurdles at the ‘93 State AAA meet. Older sister Wendy is completing her senior volleyball season at GU.

Aimee, also recruited by Eastern Washington, was somewhat reluctant to select GU because she thought people would (inaccurately) assume Wendy had guided her choice.

Wilson has never relished the thought of attending college in another city, plus GU offered more than just big-time volleyball.

“When you get a degree from Gonzaga, it’s highly rated… . You just get a job, right off the bat,” Wilson said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo