Hall of Fame
Sheri (Richardson) Camarena arrived on the WMNU campus in August of 1992. She started her WNMU career playing basketball, which Dexter Irvin had recruited her for coming out of high school. After her first season playing basketball, volleyball coach Benny Canales approached Sheri and asked her if she wanted to play volleyball the following year. The chance to play two sports in college was a no brainer.
Not only would Sheri play two sports in college, she would play them at a high level.
In the 1992-93 school year, Sheri started off the school year dealing with an emergency appendectomy that would require two different surgeries over the first two months of the school year. This set back gave her little time to prepare for her first basketball season. Sheri fought hard and earned a starting spot on the team. This would be the beginning of a great basketball and volleyball career. Due to the fact that WNMU transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA, stats were not available for this season.
In the 1993-94 school year, Sheri entered her second year at WNMU. This time she was going to be busy playing both volleyball and basketball. Sheri would go on to have a break out first year on the volleyball court. She would post team highs in kills (505), and digs (392); which would rank her stats among the nation's best in both categories. Sheri also had 38 service aces and 39 blocks. For this effort, Sheri was named to the First-Team All-Conference.
After playing volleyball, Sheri made the quick transition to the basketball court and geared up for her second season. Like volleyball, she also dominated the basketball court and led the team in points scored (280), rebounds (152), field goals made (119) and field goal percentage (56.7). This hard work helped her earn First-Team All-Conference. Sheri was also selected as an All-American. WNMU was the regional conference champions that year and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. Sheri was also named to the All-Tournament Team for the New Mexico State University Legg's Classic Basketball Tournament.
In the 1994-95 school year, Sheri entered her third year at WNMU. She would continue to be a duel threat in both volleyball and basketball. Her junior year would mirror her sophomore year's success. Once again, she led the team in kills (522), digs (426) and blocks (41). She was again honored by being selected to the First-Team All-Pac West Conference. Sheri was also would finish ranked 17th nationally in kills. This would be Sheri's most successful year in volleyball as she was named as an All-American.
As Sheri finished her second year of playing volleyball, she shifted gears back to the basketball court for her third season. She continued to be a threat on the court scoring 333 points and grabbing 122 rebounds. WNMU were regional champions for a second straight year.
In the 1995-96 school year, Sheri battled anemia and other medical issues. Even with these affecting her towards the end of her season, Sheri still dominated the court. Sheri led her team in kills (479), digs (241) and blocks (70). She was selected to the First-Team All-Pac West Conference and finished ranked 18th national in kills.
At this point, Sheri decided to not play basketball. She took the next semester off to recover. This break in action only fueled her to come back ready to take the court.
In the 1996-1997 school year, Sheri decided, with the help of Coach Reid, to only play basketball. She continued to be the model of consistency, scoring 413 points, and leading the team in rebounds (142) and blocked shots (19). During her last game against arch rival Seattle Pacific University, she gave them something to remember her by when she scored a career high 35 points on their home court. She was named to the First-Team All-Pac West Conference and also earned Player of the Week honors.
At the time of her career finishing, Sheri was among the all-time leaders in Pac West volleyball records for hitting, digs and blocks; while only playing volleyball for three seasons. Sheri also held three WNMU records for field goal percentage (shooting); game-100%, season-58% and career 55% and is one of the top five scorers in the program's history. "Obviously, Sheri is the purest shooter in the history of the program", Coach Jason Reid. "We are extremely fortunate to have Sheri's commitment for four years. We will miss her."
During her last season, Sheri married the love of her life, Aaron Camarena. They have four children; Damareece (16), Aaron Jr. (AJ) (14), Isaac (12) and Brianna (9) and reside in Arizona. In December of 1998, Sheri graduated WNMU with a bachelor's degree in Movement Science and two minors in Sports Medicine and Coaching.
Sheri enjoys her time as a mom and teaching her children the sports she played so well. Sheri continues to stay involved with sports by volunteering her time to coach the up and coming generations in both volleyball and basketball. She is also very active in her church and community.
