Let’s take a quick look at happenings in high school volleyball around the Beaver State.
Mazama gets on Basin…
Mazama won the t-shirts on Saturday as “Basin Best” by sweeping Lost River and Henley on Saturday. The team won with great balance, though OH Ella Baley and setter Alexia Lowe managed to distinguish themselves.
Match scores in the match versus host Henley were 25-20, 25-22.
“Henley had some tough errors at the end of the sets and, if not for that, they easily could have won,” noted Mazama coach John Downey. “They are still the more experienced and deeper roster than us. As with most cross town rivals anything can happen and every match is tough.”
Mazama takes on tough Crater today.
OC is OK, again…
A Thursday double dual versus Jesuit and Newberg affirmed that Oregon City is primed for another strong season in 2022. The Pioneers lost to 6A favorite Jesuit, 3-0, but bounced back to defeat Newberg in a sweep. Against Newberg, MB Brooke Williams excelled with 12 kills, five blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Paige Thies added 18 kills while hitting .394 and senior libero Samantha Keightley led the defensive effort with 10 digs. With six returning varsity members and an exciting group of newcomers to the team, Oregon City, ranked sixth in the 6A pre-season poll, is well-positioned for a state tournament run this fall…
All comes out in the Wash…
Central Catholic opened its 2022 campaign in a unique way, by traveling north to Washington to play in a three-match mini-tournament.
The Rams, who are battling injuries early in the season, managed to upend both Sammamish and Seattle Prep before losing to Bellevue.
Central Catholic got a stellar performance by senior middle blocker Emily Hegar. She hit over .500 with nine kills and no errors.
“Emily had a very different role last year, mostly coming off the bench to fill in for middle or right side,” noted Ram head coach Kayla Hambley. “She worked incredibly hard over the club season, and has come back to claim a starting spot in the middle. Her consistency and work ethic may often go unnoticed, but there's no question that she's a force to be reckoned with this season.”
Hambley said that the weekend was a great experience, not just the volleyball, but also being able to cheer on the Ram football team as it defeated defending Washington 3A champion Bellevue on a last-season field goal, 24-23.
Quick hits…
Santiam Christian graduated no starters from last year’s 15-3 team that was shocked in the 3A quarterfinals a year ago. The Eagles, who are working on a 22-year league winning streak, have their sights set on giving coach Kelli Patrick state title No. 3 in her nine years at the school. Players to watch include All-Conference returnees Alyssa Knox (libero), Ashlynn Davis (setter), Elise Linderman (OH) and Maddie Fields (OH). Sophomore Joya Euhus, a 6-1 middle, is another returning starter with massive upside…
Roseburg is off to an impressive 5-1 start to 2022. Its lone loss is to undefeated Silverton in 5A. Roseburg’s roster includes several returning starters, notably senior setter Hayden Pinard, who will play at Western Oregon; senior libero Kinsey Brelage and senior MB Grace Luttrell, who will both play at Linn-Benton next year; and Umpqua CC commit Kennedy Hines, a 5-10 senior OH…
3A Pleasant Hill has been in building mode the past several years. Is this the year that all the building pays off? The Billies are 3-0 to start 2022 after a seven-win season a year ago. Most starters are sophomores, including 6-1 OH Cheyenne Green and 5-9 setter Claire Green. Both earned All-League recognition last fall. Pleasant Hill last won a league title 27 years ago, when the team’s head coach and assistant coach were players at the school. Hanging a banner is a prime motivating factor for this young team in 2022.
Gilchrist won one match a year ago and lacks experience. But the 1A Grizzlies, who are still a week away from their first official match, are putting in the work and getting excited about the season. The team has four returning starters: seniors Cassidy Newton and Danica Peterson and sophomores Sierra Sanders and Irina Snodgrass…
Silverton has a new coach – Reilly Rosecrans – great determination and an experienced crew that includes six seniors and reigning Gatorade POY Alexis Haury. The Foxes have yet to drop a set through three matches and may be one of the elite squads in all of Oregon this year. Besides Haury, a University of Washington setter recruit who hits and sets; Silverton returns talented attacker Rowan Reilly, middles Olivia Rosborough and Tayler Westfall, setter Lindsey Schmidt and OH Laryssa Stevens. New to the team this year are libero Gracelyn Jensen and MB/OH Gabriella Haury, a 5-9 freshman…
South Wasco County went 18-8 and advanced to the second round of the 1A state tournament last fall. The Redsides graduated just two starters, but their loss is significant. Coach Susie Miles will build around All-Conference S/OH Kylie Iverson, libero Sadie McCoy and S/RS Julie Hull. Junior Anabell Udey, injured all of last season, returns to give the team a boost in the middle. Also look for great things from 5-7 freshman OH Jayda Iverson, a terrific defender. The pieces are in place for the team to be even better than last year if the chemistry is right.
Grant won 18 matches and tied for first in the PIL last year. The Generals graduated three, but an uptick in program numbers means capable replacements are just waiting for their opportunities. Returning starters to watch senior libero Elise Coffey, sophomore S/OH Maggie McCarthy and pin hitters Rachel Peterson, Cecily Wagstaff and Grace Kilgore. Grant is a taller team and has lots of firepower. The team has started 1-0 and might not be tested until its own tournament on Sept. 17.
Gervais won nine matches, including one in the 2A playoffs, a year ago. All major contributors return, including All-Conference setter Addy McCargar, a 5-7 sophomore; junior MB Olivia Boyd, senior OH Izzy Boyd and senior MB Lilly McCargar, who is returning after a season-ending injury last October. Gervais has never won a state title, but the Cougars twice finished second: in 1993, when coach Molly McCargar was on the team; and in 2006, when she was head coach the first time around. The team has not made a state tournament appearance since 2012, but this athletic group with strong hitters has that kind of potential.
Estacada has a strong history in volleyball, with two state titles in the 2000s, but won only four matches a year ago. The Rangers have a new coach in Jordan Johnson and a young core group with potential, led by three-year starting setter Libby Juker. The team also returns junior OHs Emree Hunter and Jasmine McDonald and expects big contributions from sophomore middle Abby Behrman and sophomore hitter Sia Fakatoufifta. If the pieces come together, Estacada could make a state tournament run.
Mountainside won 14 matches in 2022 and was the only team outside of 6A state champion West Linn to take a set off of vaunted Jesuit a year ago. The Mavericks graduated five, including both setters, two defenders and six-rotation OH and go-to attacker Emma Burlingame. Those are huge shoes to fill! The team should pass well, with junior libero Maile Chan anchoring the back row. Senior OH Sofia Green and senior MB Hannah Wilborn are two others to watch.
Open Door Christian Academy does not have a strong volleyball tradition, but the Huskies are hoping to start one. After a 10-win season and first-round playoff match in 2021, they are 5-0 so far in 2022 behind two very good setters, senior Demaris Visan and senior Ava Edmonds-Smith, a transfer. Open Door Christian Academy graduated two hitters, including its best player, but expect senior OH Natalie Van Vleet and middles Amelita Muntyan and Miriam Visan to pick up the slack. The team isn’t tall, with no starter above 5-6, but a return to state and even a win or two are possible.
College-Bound!
In this space, we list those players, playing Oregon high school volleyball in the current senior class and younger, who have made a commitment to attend a college or university of their choice and play volleyball. Please email johnt@osaa.org to add players to the list, using the format you see below.
Emily Blagg, 5-8 Sr. RS, McNary -- George Fox University
Halsey Brummit, 5-11 Sr. OH, Clackamas – Dominican University of California
Kayleigh Carpenter, 5-7 Sr. OH, South Salem – Boise State (for defense)
Tatum Chase, 6-1 Sr. MB, Catlin Gabel -- Seattle University
Maddie Corpe, 5-10 Sr. S, McNary -- Oregon State University
Gwen Fife, 6-0 Sr. OH, Sheldon – University of Utah (Beach)
Bella Gamache, 6-0 Sr. MB, Monroe - USC (Beach)
Bridget Gould, 5-11 Jr. RS, Marshfield - University of Oregon
Sophia Gregoire-Salagean, 6-2 Sr. OH, Newberg – University of Oregon
Alexis Haury, 5-10 Jr. S, Silverton – University of Washington
Kennedy Hines, 5-10 Sr. OH, Roseburg -- Umpqua CC
Brooksie Isham, 5-10 Sr. OH, South Salem -- Air Force Academy
Vivi Kaelin, 5-10 Sr. OH, Lake Oswego -- Cal State Bakersfield (Beach)
Sidney Knowles, 5-8 Sr. libero, Sherwood -- Eckerd College
Kalista Lukovich, 6-0 Sr. OH, Nelson – Eastern Washington University
Grace Luttrell, 6-0 Sr. MB, Roseburg -- Linn-Benton CC
Olivia Maulding, 6-2 Sr. MB, La Salle Prep - University of Notre Dame
Elsa McDermott, 5-8 Sr. OH, Catlin Gabel – University of Pennsylvania (for defense)
Ceanna O’Loughlin, 5-11 Sr. OH, Jesuit - Colorado State University - Pueblo
Isabel Patterson, 5-11 Sr. OH, Jesuit – University of Oregon (Beach and Indoor)
Hayden Pinard, 5-10 Sr. S, Roseburg -- Western Oregon University
Mia Starr, 5-10 Sr. S, Central Catholic – UC Davis
Jillian Stein, 5-8 Sr. OH, Bend -- Austin Peay (Beach)
Kait Wood, 5-11 senior MB, Sheldon – Rocky Mountain
johnt@osaa.org
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