SEATTLE (June 6) ­ South Lake Tahoe's Jessica Bettencourt has signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball for Seattle Pacific University next season.

Bettencourt, a 5-foot-11 senior middle, is the third recruit for Seattle Pacific. She was named first team all-Sierra Division last fall after helping to lead the Vikings to a 25-10 record and a berth in the Northern 4A semifinals. Bettencourt led the team in kills average (2.25). She also plays for the Sierra Nevada Volleyball Club.

Earlier, coach Chris Johnson received commitments from middles Kylie Johnson (Tucson, Az./Catalina Foothills) and Robin DeJong (Goleta, Ca./Dos Pueblos).

Seattle Pacific is coming off a 22-6 record, a No. 16 national ranking and co-championship of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Falcons open the 2006 season Aug. 24-26 at the Hawaiian Style Classic in Hilo.