Arizona Lutheran Academy is proud to announce the Class of 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame. The inductees will be honored at our Hall of Fame ceremony on October 8, 2023.
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Rachel (Bauer) Day, class of 1996, was a four-sport athlete at ALA, making an impact in volleyball, basketball, track and softball. On the volleyball court, Rachel led the team to 3 straight region titles, dropping only 1 region match in 3 years. In 1993 and 1994, the team finished runner-up at state. The 1995 team was a semifinalist. Rachel’s accolades that year included 1st Team All-Region, Region Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State, All-Tournament team, and 1A-4A All Star. Rachel was the team captain for both volleyball and basketball her senior year. She played 3 years of varsity basketball and the team participated in the state tournament in 1995 and 1996. Rachel was 1st Team All-Region as a senior. In her one year of track, the 1993 team placed 2nd at state, aided by Rachel’s 4th place finish in high jump.
After high school Rachel played volleyball at Phoenix College from 1996-97. In 1997, she was team captain, team MVP, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Region, and an NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American. She then earned a full scholarship to play Division 1 volleyball at the University of Evansville. During her senior year in 1999, she was a full-time starter and voted Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week.
Alfred Erives, a 2013 graduate, left a phenomenal football legacy as one of the most prolific running backs in Arizona state history. Alfred was a 4-year varsity starter, playing running back, receiver, and defensive back. In 2010, the team was a state quarterfinalist and he rushed for 1,104 yards and 12 TD’s. The team finished the season with 4,167 yards rushing, 3rd in the state. As part of a 2011 playoff qualifier, Alfred rushed for 1,810 yards, scored 19 TD’s and was voted 1st Team All-Region. During his senior year in 2012 on a state quarterfinal team, Alfred rarely left the field. He rushed for 2,418 yards and 26 TD’s. He also had 910 yards receiving with 13 TD’s. His 39 total touchdowns in 2012 is 15th all-time in state history. He also kicked, punted, and was the second leading tackler with 109 tackles that year. In addition to 1st Team All-Region and 1st Team All-State, Alfred was chosen as the 1A-3A Player of the Year by AZ Central. He is the only player in school history to earn this honor. His career rushing total of 5,779 yards ranks 8th all-time in the state of Arizona. His 480 career points puts him 20th in the state.
As a 3-year varsity basketball player, Alfred helped those squads to a quarterfinal appearance in 2011, then state runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2013. He was a tenacious defender, and crafty left-handed scorer.
Rachel (Burk) Plitzuweit, class of 1991, was an integral part of the greatest era in ALA girls basketball history. She only experienced 4 losses in 4 years of high school basketball! After an undefeated JV season her freshmen year, she moved on to varsity in 1988-1989. The team won the region title and was undefeated before losing a tight game in the state semifinals. The 1989-1990 team lost in the in the state championship. In addition to an undefeated region title, Rachel was a team captain and chosen 1st Team All-Region. In 1990-1991, Rachel led her team to a state title! She was again a team captain, 1st Team All-Region, and All-State. During her 3 years of varsity basketball, the team had an amazing record of 66-4! She averaged 14 ppg during her career. She was known for terrific shooting and tough defense.
During 3 years of varsity softball, Rachel was a team captain and All-Region player. She has been an elementary PE teacher for 23 years, the last 20 in the Dysart school district. She coaches middle school girls basketball and has won two district titles and one state championship. In 2018, she received the Dysart District Hero Award for excellence in teaching.
Kristen (Schulz) Theiler, a 2010 graduate, excelled in basketball and volleyball during her time at ALA. During her 3 years of varsity volleyball, the team competed in the 2A Metro, the toughest region in the state. In 2009, the Coyotes were a state tournament team and Kristen was voted 1st Team All-Region and Honorable Mention 2A All-State. It was on the basketball court where the 6-3 Kristen made a huge impact. She was a 4-year varsity player. She led the team to the state tournament in 2009 and then to the semifinals in 2010. In 2008-2009, she was a team captain, 1st Team All-Region, and Honorable Mention 2A All-State. She tallied 356 rebounds, 101 blocks, and made 142 field goals. As a senior in 2009-2010, Kristen was again a captain, and in addition to 1st All-Region honors, she also was Co-Player of the Year in the region. She was 1st Team 2A All-State and played in the 2A All-Star game. For her career, Kristen finished with 842 points, 1,056 rebounds, and 300 blocks.
Kristen moved on to play basketball at Wisconsin Lutheran College. There she developed into the most dominant post player in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). A 2015 D3hoops.com 1st Team All-American, she racked up am NCAA Division III record 28 double-doubles, and led the nation with 456 rebounds. She was twice named NACC Defensive Player of the Year, and conference Player of the Year in 2015. She finished her career as the NACC’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,229), blocked shots (360), and games started. During her senior season, she set NACC single-season highs for points, field goals made, rebounds, blocked shots, and double-doubles. She was the first WLC athlete in any sport to earn First Team All-American honors. She finished her college career as the program leader in double-doubles (55), field goal percentage (.550), and games played (114).
