Coming Home: How Cassie Found Her Way Back to Eastern Washington and the Game She Loves

CHENEY, Wash. – For Cassie Moeller, coming to Eastern Washington University wasn’t just a transfer—it was a homecoming.

Born and raised in Spokane, Cassie grew up immersed in the Eastern athletics community. “My whole life, I was going to Eastern games,” she said. “A lot of my coaches were former players or even coaches here. It was like everyone around me was always talking about Eastern—it felt like a part of who I was before I ever got here.”

Now, after a collegiate journey that began at Western Washington University and took her to Spokane Falls Community College, Cassie is stepping into the Division I spotlight with Eastern volleyball. But her path to this point wasn’t a straight line—it was a winding one paved with growth, challenges, and deep-rooted love for both the game and her community.

A Product of the 509

Representing Spokane and the greater 509 region carries deep meaning for Cassie. “It feels like I get to show what the 509 kids are made of,” she said. “It’s like this pride of being homegrown—of putting on that jersey and knowing you’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”

She sees Eastern not just as a school, but as a continuation of the volleyball community that shaped her. “Wade Benson, Allen Allen, Nicole Rayborn, Shawn Wilson, Jaimie Lee… I’ve had so many amazing coaches in Spokane. They all helped me see that I could get to this level.”

A Journey Through Change

Fresh out of high school, Cassie wanted to explore beyond her comfort zone. She left Spokane for Bellingham to attend Western Washington, ready to embrace independence. “I was ready to go anywhere—California, Texas, wherever,” she said. “I wanted to see something new.”

But after a year away, the excitement of distance was tempered by the reality of missing home. Long drives, expensive flights, and being away from her biggest support system—her family—began to weigh heavily.

That led her to Spokane Falls, where she credits coach Elizabeth Harden with not only helping her maintain her game but pushing her to grow as a leader. “She believed in me when I wasn’t sure I’d be picked up late in the transfer portal. She helped me develop my leadership skills and taught me how to be competitive while still keeping things lighthearted.”

Finding Her Fit

Meeting the Eastern volleyball coaches sealed the deal. “I already knew one of them personally, and the moment I talked with them, I could feel their passion for the game and their love for the team. It was like this energy just came off them. I wanted to be around that.”

For Cassie, choosing Eastern wasn’t just about volleyball. It was about staying close to the people who’ve supported her since day one. “I’m very family-oriented,” she said. “Being able to grow on my own while still being close enough to go home for a quick visit—it’s the best of both worlds.”

She smiled when she talked about the idea of calling her mom just to stop by, or how her family can finally come watch her games again. “That means the world to me. It’s comforting in a way that makes me feel like I can really thrive here.”

Eyes on the Future

Cassie isn’t shy about her goals—on and off the court.

On the court, she wants to contribute in whatever way the team needs. “Whether I’m starting, rotating in, or just hyping everyone up from the bench—I want to be the one they can count on,” she said. “Versatile. Loud. Supportive. That’s who I want to be.”

Off the court, her sights are set on creating relationships that go beyond college. “I want these girls to be my lifelong friends. The kind of people I can invite to my wedding, or call when I need help with something.”

She’s currently pursuing a degree in exercise science with aspirations to go into nursing. “Right now, I’m figuring out the best route, but eventually I’d love to work in a medical field where I can help people, maybe even athletic training,” she said.

Building the Next Chapter

Cassie’s story is one of coming full circle. From dreaming of new places to realizing the power of home, she’s now at a school that reflects everything she values: family, growth, support, and community.

Eastern isn’t just a stop on her volleyball journey—it’s a place where she plans to leave a mark.

“I could have gone far away,” she said. “But staying here, playing for a school that means something to my family and my community—that means everything.”

 

Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

FOLLOW THE EAGLES

SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram