WALLA WALLA - Ephrata 2008 graduate and Walla Walla Community College freshman Britney Ratigan helped the Warriors to a second-place finish at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) championships this season.

Ratigan also helped the Warriors to an East Region championship and 35-10 record.

Ratigan said playing collegiate volleyball is different from the prep game.

"My experience on my recruiting trip was great," she said. "It felt competitive. It was definitely a step up from high school."

While Ratigan loves playing volleyball, she said competition pushes her to excel.

"I am one of the most competitive people ever," she said. "I like to win."

Ratigan credits her mother for getting her interested in the sport, she said.

"My mom went to college and played (volleyball)," she said. "She has always been my coach. We used to play pepper together in the front yard for hours."

Ratigan recorded 129 kills for the Warriors this season and also had 118 digs.

She also tallied 22 assists and 13 aces from the service line

While Ratigan looks forward to continuing her volleyball career, she ultimately wants become an educator.

"I want to go into physical education," she said.