Alyssa Foster is returning to the Carroll College gymnasium, only this time as a collegiate opponent.

Foster is a senior post player on California's Simpson University Red Hawks basketball team, which goes up against host Carroll this Friday and Saturday.

As a high schooler, she played for the Helena Christian School, which five years ago placed runner-up in the Montana Christian Athletic Association tournament, in the P.E. Center.

After graduating from HCS, Foster - who is the daughter of Jack and Melody Foster - attended Masters College in Santa Clarita, Calif. She then transferred to NAIA Division III Simpson her junior year, in order to get more playing time.

Last year, the 6-foot-1 cager played in 31 games for the Lady Red Hawks, averaging four points per game. She led the team with 15 blocked shots, and was third in rebounding, with four boards per game.

At Helena Christian School, Foster was the Rams' team captain and MVP her final three seasons. For her career, she averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots per game.

Her best performance occurred as a sophomore, when she poured in 43 points and blocked 10 shots versus Bozeman's Mt. Ellis Academy.

Foster led the Lady Rams to a state runner-up finish at the 2005 MCAA Tournament, in the P.E. Center. She was named the tournament MVP as a junior, and was tourney runner-up her sophomore and senior years.

"Alyssa always worked hard on every aspect of her game," said Jack Foster, Rams coach and Alyssa's father. "She often stayed after practice to work on jump shots and free throws."

Jack said his versatile daughter played everywhere on the court, from point guard, to wing, to post. Alyssa, who uses either hand when dribbling or shooting hook shots, was often lead pressure on defensive press and traps, which disrupted the opposition's tempo.

"Her unselfish leadership helped her teammates and the team do better as a whole," coach Foster said.

Alyssa said she is looking forward to returning to the P.E. Center. "We have a pretty solid team, and even though we're a division below Carroll, I think we'll be competitive with the Saints," said Foster, who is slated to start for Simpson.

A business and accounting major, she is sporting a 3.90 GPA, and hopes to someday work as a tax accountant.

"I enjoy California, and may stay there for a while (after becoming) a CPA. But I'll probably eventually make my way back to Montana someday," she said.