OSAAtoday - Volleyball coaches polls: Preseason

2021 Pre-season statewide volleyball coaches polls

OSAAtoday presents its 2021 pre-season statewide volleyball coaches polls in all classifications. Thanks to all the coaches who took the time and had the expertise to contribute their opinions to this endeavor.

Look for the volleyball coaches polls every other Friday during the fall season.

Please note: these polls are for generating interest and discussion only and have no impact on the OSAA ratings that form the basis of the OSAA’s rankings for playoff purposes.

1. Jesuit (9) 106

2. Central Catholic (1) 89

3. West Linn (1) 79

4. Bend 35

5. South Salem 33

6. Summit 28

7. Clackamas 24

8. Sunset 19

9. Mountainside 18

10. Sheldon 17

10. McMinnville 17

10. Sprague 17

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Lincoln 15; Mountain View 14; Canby 13; Westview 12; Tualatin 10

Spotlight team: Jesuit Crusaders

Undefeated this past spring, Jesuit will look different this fall, as four senior starters are now collegiate players. The Crusaders, however, will be no less formidable with their defense returning intact, led by senior libero Maisie Alexander; and front court powerhouse Tess Masingale, a 6-3 middle, back for her senior year.

1. West Albany (5) 95

2. Wilsonville (3) 92

3. Ridgeview (1) 64

4. La Salle Prep (1) 50

5. Crook County 47

6. Silverton (1) 31

7. Crater 28

8. South Albany 19

8. Thurston 19

10. Corvallis 18

10. North Eugene 18

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Crescent Valley 14

Spotlight team: Wilsonville Wildcats

Wilsonville has been one of the best teams in 5A the past few years. The Wildcats have a new head coach in Scott Thompson but return five starters and their libero, led by four-year standouts Ashli Edmiston and Tatum Lubisch.

1. Valley Catholic (7) 112

2. Sisters (3) 100

3. Sweet Home (2) 90

4. Junction City 69

5. Cottage Grove 51

6. Tillamook 37

7. Philomath 36

8. Corbett 27

9. Henley 20

10. Cascade 16

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Marshfield 15; Astoria 15; Hidden Valley 12

Spotlight team: Junction City Tigers

Junction City went 13-2 in the spring. The Tigers should contend for a third consecutive Sky Em title this fall with libero Addison Sangermano and OH Ayden King among four returning starters for venerable head coach Gary Meininger.

1. Santiam Christian (4) 94

2. Burns (6) 80

3. Cascade Christian 62

4. Creswell 60

5. Sutherlin 46

6. Amity 45

7. Catlin Gabel (1) 38

8. Horizon Christian, Tualatin 31

9. Vale 22

10. Harrisburg 18

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Scio 15; Blanchet Catholic 11; Yamhill-Carlton 10; Willamina 10; Clatskanie 10

Spotlight team: Willamina Bulldogs

Three returning All-League players, Hallee Hughes, Grace France and Madison Diehl, will power Willamina, which hasn’t been to the state tournament in a decade. The future is bright beyond 2021 as well, as head coach Heather Hughes welcomes a robust, 15-player freshman class.

1. Kennedy (4) 63

2. Monroe (1) 59

3. Portland Christian 44

4. Salem Academy (2) 42

5. Gaston 37

6. Central Linn 35

7. Lowell (1) 24

8. Vernonia 20

9. Grant Union 19

10. Union 15

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Columbia Christian 14; Lakeview 13; Bonanza 13; Weston-McEwen 12; Culver 11; Jefferson 10

Spotlight team: Salem Academy Crusaders

In its second season in 2A, Salem Academy could contend for a state title behind five returning starters, including All-State libero Annabelle Brawley. Freshman RS Lexi Herber is a talented newcomer who adds to an already formidable offense.

1. St. Paul (2) 65

2. Damascus Christian (2) 59

3. North Douglas 43

4. Powder Valley (3) 37

5. Crane 36

6. Country Christian 35

7. Days Creek 32

8. Jewell (1) 19

9. Central Christian 16

9. North Clackamas Christian 16

First-place votes in parentheses

Others receiving significant votes: Hosanna-Triad 14; Perrydale 13; Rogue Valley Adventist 12; Echo 10

Spotlight team: Rogue Valley Adventist Academy Red Tail Hawks

Rogue Valley Adventist went 12-3 in the spring and defeated local 2A, 3A and 4A teams. The Red Tail Hawks, who made their first state tournament in 2019, could go again behind four returning starters, including conference MVP Emma Bischoff, a 5-10 junior middle.