There are 48 teams participating this weekend at three different sites in the 2022 OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union Volleyball State Championships. Below, we take a brief look at each of the championship hopefuls.
6A (Forest Grove HS, Forest Grove)
Jesuit
Current official record: 28-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: South Salem
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 10-1
All-time state titles: 7
Last state title: 2019
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Lilly Lansing, 6-0 Sr. MB; Emma Williams 5-11 Sr. OH; Addy Azavedo, 5-4 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Teresa Zimmerlee
Years at the school: 31
Nelson
Current official record: 26-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Westview
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 3-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Madi Andrews, 6-0 Soph. OH; Gabby Hill, 6-0 Jr. OH; Lainey Day, 6-0 Soph. MB; Amelia Eubanks, 5-6 Sr. S
Head coach name: Lisa McBee
Years at the school: 3
Oregon City
Current official record: 21-3
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Sherwood
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 4th
Players to watch: Paige Thies, 6-2 Jr. OH; Olivia Adamo, 6-0 Sr. MB; Brooke Williams, 6-1 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Erica Frajford
Years at the school: 6
Sherwood
Current official record: 18-4
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Oregon City
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-2
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2010 (5A)
Last state tournament appearance: 2011
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 2
Players to watch: Aria Birdsong, 5-10 Sr. RS; Hannah Brown, 5-9 Sr. S; Emily Fulton, 5-10 Sr. OH; Campbell O’Connell, 5-10 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Jenette Brotnov
Years at the school: 6
South Salem
Current official record: 21-8
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Jesuit
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 12
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2017 (Elite 8 in 2021, when only four went to state (Covid))
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 2
Players to watch: Malena Mathis, 6-0 Sr. MB; Briella Mathis, 6-0 Soph. OH; Kamree Orizotti, 5-10 Soph. S
Head coach name: Matt Leichty
Years at the school: 14
Sprague
Current official record: 27-4
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Sunset
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 0-2 (T-7)
Players to watch: Sidney Friesen, 5-8 Sr. OH; Evie Morrissette, 6-0 Jr. S/RS, Brooke Friesen, 6-0 Fr. S/RS
Head coach name: Anne Olsen
Years at the school: 13
Sunset
Current official record: 26-4
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Sprague
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 3-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Sara Davies, 5-8 Sr. OH; Leila Yaxd, 5-6 Sr. S; Avery Horne, 5-11 Jr. MB; Kamryn Spooner, 5-5 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Lad Salness
Years at the school: 23
Westview
Current official record: 21-8
Tournament seed: 12
Quarterfinal opponent: Nelson
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-8
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Taylor Guerra, 5-10 Sr. S/RS; Mady Lebeck, 5-5 Fr. Libero; Ashlyn Pedersen, 6-1 Fr. MB; Thanvi Chilukuri, 5-10 Sr. RS
Head coach name: Janelle Brandt
Years at the school: 7
Quarterfinals: Friday, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 2:15 p.m.
Saturday championship match: 8:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Jesuit is one of only two teams in the field ever to have won a state title. The Crusaders have seven, eight if you count the Covid year. Teresa Zimmerlee’s team, which was undefeated last year until running into Sheldon in the state final, has played and beaten every team in the field except for its first-round opponent. The Crusaders lost to Sprague early in September, their only in-state loss, but later avenged the defeat…With former Clackamas head coach Lisa McBee in charge, third-year school Nelson lost twice in the Mount Hood Conference this year after going 14-0 a year ago. Nelson also has just two losses to teams in the field, both to Jesuit…Oregon City won the Three Rivers League title for the second time in a row in 2023, after not having won league previously since 1998. The Pioneers are 1-0 versus their first-round opponent, defeating Sherwood in a September tournament match, 15-7 in the third…Sherwood has not lost to an in-state team since falling to Oregon City early in September. This is its first trip to the “State 8” as a 6A school. Bowmen players have a choreographed dance to the song “Telephone” by Lady Gaga.
South Salem was 17-12-4 in 2022 and lost to its first-round opponent, Jesuit, in Round 2 of the playoffs. The Saxons made the state tournament despite losing two impact outsides and their starting libero off of that team…Sprague made headlines when it handed Jesuit its only regular-season loss to an in-state team in two years back in early September. The Olympians are playing this year with two sisters in the starting lineup. The last time that happened was last year (and the year before) when Evie Morrissette played with since-graduated sister, Rubie…Sunset has been to the state playoffs 23 times in coach Lad Salness’ 25 years on the Apollo bench. The Apollos are in the “State 8” for the eighth time. They have finished as high as third three times, the last time in 2016...Westview stunned defending state champion Sheldon to make the final eight for the second straight year. The Wildcats have lost eight times this season, all to 6A state tournament teams. “This team is young, fun, energetic and embracing being the underdogs this year going into the state tournament,” said coach Janelle Brandt.
5A (Forest Grove HS, Forest Grove)
Bend
Current official record: 14-3
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: West Albany
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-0
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2017
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Chloe LeLuge, 6-3 Sr. OH/MB; Lucy Schuller, 5-9 Jr. OH/MB/S; Jasi Kjellesvik, 5-5 Jr. OH
Head coach name: Kristin Cooper
Years at the school: 17
Crater
Current official record: 21-8
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Wilsonville
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Alexa Gugliotta, 5-10 Jr. MB; Joslynn Pope, 5-2 Sr. libero; Danica Huntoon, 6-0 Jr. RS
Head coach name: Tiffany Booth
Years at the school: 1
Crescent Valley
Current official record: 19-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Summit
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 3-0
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Kam Mitchell, 5-10 Jr.. S; Taelyn Bentley, 5-11 Jr.. MB; Dani Street, 5-6 Sr. libero; Bella Jacobson, 5-10 Jr. OH
Head coach name: Troy Shorey
Years at the school: 5
South Albany
Current official record: 18-4
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Thurston
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 6th
Players to watch: Maddie Angel, 5-6 Soph. libero; Taylor Donaldson, 6-0 Soph. OH; Klaire Bitter, 5-5 Jr. S; Audrey Webb, 5-10 Fr. RS
Head coach name: Kaela Wehrman
Years at the school: 3
Summit
Current official record: 11-9
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: Crescent Valley
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-3
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2015
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Ellie Ezell. 5-7 Sr. S; Avery Ruhl, 5-10 Sr. OH; Lucie Reynolds, 5-7 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Emily McMahon
Years at the school: 2
Thurston
Current official record: 19-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: South Albany
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Scout Martin, Sr. MB; Julia Cook, 5-7 Sr. OH; Emily Buller, 5-7 Sr. S
Head coach name: David Natt
Years at the school: 4
West Albany
Current official record: 19-6
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Bend
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 4th
Players to watch: Kendyl Arnett, 5-9 Sr. OH; Mylee Blake, 6-1 Sr. OH; Jenna Konzelman, 6-0 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Megan Wallace
Years at the school: 4
Wilsonville
Current official record: 18-6
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Crater
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2021 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Mary Matthews, 5-6 Sr. libero; Emma Fauth, 6-0 Jr. MB; Ellis Underhill; 6-0 Jr. S/RS
Head coach name: Scott Thompson
Years at the school: 3
Quarterfinals: Friday, 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 12 noon
Saturday championship match: 6:00 p.m.
Did you know?
Bend has been in the “State 8” the past three years and finished as runner up a year ago. The Lava Bears are coached by Kristin Cooper, who played high school ball for national power Mira Costa out of Manhattan Beach, California. Bend started the season in Hawaii at the Kamehameha Labor Day Classic, where it won the Silver Bracket…Crater has a first-year coach, Tiffany Booth, who guided the Comets to second place behind Thurston in the very competitive Midwestern League. Crater has played only Thurston in the state tournament field, splitting five-set matches with the Colts. Crater placed six on the All-League teams this year, including POY Alexa Gugliotta…Crescent Valley won its first state title last year with a roster overflowing with sophomores. The Raiders have been one of the best teams in the state regardless of classification all of 2023, losing only to 6A power Jesuit. They are 2-0 against other 6A state tournament teams and 3-0 against the 5A field. This is a Raider team that loves to sing a “Pitch Perfect” karaoke mashup before practices… South Albany graduated eight off of its 11-player state tournament roster last year, yet returned to the “State 8” with essentially a whole new team. Two of the players on this team have mothers who played on the South Albany team that went to State in the 1990s…
Summit has the most losses – 9 – in the 5A field, but has any team played a tougher schedule? The Storm lost to 4A state champion Marshfield, 6A state champion Sheldon, along with 6A powers Central Catholic and Sprague. Summit defeated Churchill to qualify for State. The win also qualified the Storm players to give head coach Emily McMahon a “stick and poke” tattoo of a thunderbolt…Thurston is in the “State 8” for the first time since 2019, when the Colts placed fourth. The team is a veteran group, with eight seniors, including OH Julia Cook, who recently committed to Bushnell University. The team motto is “solidarity.” West Albany is back at state for the 13th time over the past 16 seasons. The Bulldogs have finished fifth or better every time, including fourth in 2022. Of West Albany’s six losses, four have come versus 6A state tournament teams. Setter Ellie Grace was a libero at the start of the season…Wilsonville has finished second twice and third once over the past three state championship tournaments. This year’s Wildcat team has great offensive balance, as six different players have led the team in kills during a match.
4A (Springfield HS, Springfield)
Cascade
Current official record: 19-3
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: North Bend
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Annabelle Peterson, 5-9 Sr. MB; Jadyn Daviscourt, 5-4 Sr. libero; Irene Rocha Ibarra, 5-8 Soph. S
Head coach name: Cristina Williams
Years at the school: 14
Crook County
Current official record: 19-9
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Marist Catholic
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 8
Last state title: 2013
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 4th
Players to watch: Jaycee Villastrigo, 5-3 Sr. libero; Joann McKinnon, 5-4 Sr. S; Lillimae Brumble, 5-7 Soph. MB
Head coach name: Jessica Mumm
Years at the school: 1
Marist Catholic
Current official record: 20-2
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Crook County
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-1
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 1999
Last state tournament appearance: 2016
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Lauren Rohman, 5-11 Fr. S; Giana Elgarico, 5-10 Jr. OH; Avia Tuguldur, 5-8 Sr. OH; Ava Roundy, 6-1 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Shari Pimental
Years at the school: 30
Marshfield
Current official record: 25-3
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: The Dalles
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 7-1
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 1
Players to watch: Bridget Gould, 5-11 Sr. RS; Tatum Montiel, 5-11 Sr.. OH; Ava Ainsworth, 6-1 Jr. S; Gracie Peach; 5-6 Sr. libero; Paige MacDuff, 6-1 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Tamie Montiel
Years at the school: 19
Mazama
Current official record: 16-6
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Tillamook
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Alexia Lowe, 5-7 Sr. S; Isabella Lowe, 5-7 Sr. OH; Gillian Merhoff, 5-11 Sr. OH
Head coach name: John Downey
Years at the school: 7
North Bend
Current official record: 17-6
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Cascade
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-4
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2006
Last state tournament appearance: 2012 (Elite 8 in 2021 as a 5A school, when only four went to state (Covid))
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Lennon Riddle, 5-5 Sr. OH; Mirra Riddle, 5-4 S. libero; Emma Spalding, 5-7 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Summer Sawyer
Years at the school: 4
The Dalles
Current official record: 14-8
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: Marshfield
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-4
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 1989
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Jeilane Stewart, 5-7 Sr. S; Zoe Lebreton, 5-9 Sr. OH; Laci Hoylman, 6-0 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Teresa Morris
Years at the school: 1
Tillamook
Current official record: 18-3
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Mazama
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Dannika Goss, 5-9 Sr. S; Kate Klobas, 6-0 Sr. MB; Annika Norberg, 5-6 Sr. OH; Martiza Nieves, 5-1 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Trina Goss
Years at the school: 1
Quarterfinals: Friday, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 2:15 p.m.
Saturday championship match: 8:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Cascade placed second in the state in 2022 after winning it all in 2021. The Cougars went undefeated to win its league this fall. Their only three losses on the year have come versus 4A state tournament teams. This is not a tall team, with all 12 between 5-1 and 5-11…Crook County has eight state titles. The Cowgirls have never been in a state championship match that they have not won. The team finished fourth a year ago and is back at State with a new coach and a bunch of stuffed animals decorating the team room wall…Marist Catholic is the only 4A team to have defeated state champion Marshfield this year. The Spartans have five seniors, but most of their impact players are underclassmen. The team chose pink crocs as their team shoe this year, making them snappy dressers, I suppose…Top-seeded Marshfield has a majority of the best players in 4A on its roster. It’s no wonder the defending champs are favored to repeat. The team continues to display its mascot, “Meter,” a baby doll, on the bench with his #1 jersey…
Mazama made it to the “State 8” for the first time in program history last year. When John Downey, a former assistant coach at Central Catholic and Commissioner of the Columbia Empire Volleyball Association, a division of USA Volleyball; began coaching at Mazama, the Vikings were coming off of a 1-19 season. The team has now won the Skyline Conference three straight years…North Bend has three “twin sisters,” Lennon, Mirra and Ayla Riddle, who all start and are part of quadruplets with a brother. The Bulldogs also have true twins, juniors Ashley and Shelby Howard, on the roster…The Dalles heads to state with interim head coach Teresa Morris on the bench. Julie Summers, who took the Riverhawks to State in 2022, started the year as the head coach. The teams hops that injured MB Laci Hoylman will be able to play this weekend. Morris says that her team has a lot of spirit and loves to make others laugh…Tillamook went undefeated to repeat as Cowapa League champions and dropped only 10 sets all season long. The Cheesemakers have 11 seniors on their roster and a first-year head coach, Trina Goss.
3A (Springfield HS, Springfield)
Burns
Current official record: 26-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Valley Catholic
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank:31
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 8
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Ashley Wright, 5-9 Sr. S; Akylah Kaino, 6-0 Jr. OH; Jocelyn Graham, 5-4 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Paula Toney
Years at the school: 27
Cascade Christian
Current official record: 23-4
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Santiam Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-1
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2017
Last state tournament appearance: 2018 (Elite 8 in 2021, when only four went to state (Covid))
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 2
Players to watch: Poppy Freeman, 5-11 Jr. RS; Molly Griffin, 5-7 Sr. S; Maddie Todd, 5-9 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Rob Kleker
Years at the school: 13
Corbett
Current official record: 18-5
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Sisters
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 12
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-1
All-time state titles: 5
Last state title: 1988
Last state tournament appearance: 2013
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Greta Miller, 5-9 Jr. S; Sammi Blume, 5-8 Jr. OH; Taylor Young, 5-10 Jr. MB; Ursula Harrington, 6-1 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Angela Davis
Years at the school: 15
Creswell
Current official record: 18-6
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Pleasant Hill
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-5
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Lizabelle Osborn, 5-8 Sr. OH; Kimmy Kelsey, 5-10 Sr. S/RS; Piper Hanson, 5-7 Fr. OH
Head coach name: Anna Baltrusch
Years at the school: 30
Pleasant Hill
Current official record: 22-3
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Creswell
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-2
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 1974
Last state tournament appearance: 1995
2022 state finish: lost Rd. 2
Players to watch: Cheyenne Green, 6-1 Jr. OH; Claire Crawford, 5-10 Jr. S; Ruby Jackson, 5-11 Jr. MB; Emily Krauss, 5-6 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Jessica Crawford
Years at the school: 7
Santiam Christian
Current official record: 18-6
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Cascade Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-4
All-time state titles: 9
Last state title: 2019
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 6th
Players to watch: Joya Euhus, 6-1 Jr. OH; Teagan Wilson, 6-0 Sr. OH; Allison Curtis, 5-10 Fr. MB
Head coach name: Kelli Fitzpatrick
Years at the school: 9
Sisters
Current official record: 22-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Corbett
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 6-0
All-time state titles: 6
Last state title: 2017 (4A)
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Gracie Vohs, 6-1 Sr. MB; Gracelyn Myhre, 6-0 1 Sr. OH; Bailey Robertson, 6-2 Sr. MB; Mia Monaghan, 5-4 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Rory Rush
Years at the school: 7
Valley Catholic
Current official record: 19-5
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Burns
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 2-1
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Willa Kayfes, 5-11 Jr. MB; Addie Emerson, 5-9 Jr. RS; Madison Sherby, 5-8 Soph. OH; Katiya Arellano, 5-4 Sr. S
Head coach name: Becky Kemper
Years at the school: 20
Quarterfinals: Friday, 8 and 10 a.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 12 noon
Saturday championship match: 6 p.m.
Did you know?
Burns has made the state playoffs in 29 of the past 30 years. The Hilanders have earned 18 trophies plus a Covid title. Burns will look a little different this year, as two-time First Team All-State OH Mackenzie King is out following a torn ACL. Head coach Paula Toney hopes that Akylah Kaino, who has stepped up big time this year, will play. She is nursing an injury after a “pavement vs. human accident.” Cascade Christian is making its first official appearance at the “State 8” since 2018, but made the unofficial final in 2021 and to the elite 8 later that fall. Coach Rob Kleker won his 250th career match at Cascade Christian earlier this season. Four of his former players are on staff, including 2016 3A POY Claire Hawkins…Corbett is making its first state tournament appearance in a decade with a junior-dominated group, four of whom were First Team All-League picks. The Cardinals, who won the Coastal Range League in 2023, are 0-1 against the field and play that team, Sisters, in the first round…Creswell has been in the final state tournament location in 22 of the past 29 years. This year’s team has bonded better than any team coach Anna Baltrusch has had in her 30 years on the bench…
Pleasant Hill hasn’t been to the “State 8” in 28 years. The Billies’ roster has only two seniors, so this may be the start of a multi-year state tournament run, anchored by Cheyenne Green, an Oregon State recruit…Santiam Christian finished sixth at State a year ago, but these Eagles are a whole new group. Only two of the varsity 12 have any state tournament experience…Sisters has uncommon height for a 3A school. The Outlaws have six players standing 6-0 or taller. They also have six players at 5-4. “We call them the bigs and the littles,” said coach Rory Rush…Valley Catholic is in the final eight for the 17th straight year, including the past 12 under coach Becky Kemper, who returned to coach the team in 2012 after a 10-year hiatus. The defending state champion Valiants care deeply about each other and their fellow coaches, including assistant coach Tori, Kemper’s daughter. They threw Tori a surprise baby shower a few weeks ago, only a handful of days before the birth of a baby boy on Oct. 22…
2A (Ridgeview HS, Redmond)
Gaston
Current official record: 18-4
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Portland Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2021 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Lexi Fern, 5-5 Sr. S; Cayden Henderson, 5-5 Sr. libero; Rhys Niederberger, 5-5 Jr. OH
Head coach name: Sarah Irvine
Years at the school: 1
Grant Union
Current official record: 23-7
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Salem Academy
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-0
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2017
Last state tournament appearance: 2021
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Drew Williams, 5-11 Sr. MB; Addy Northway, 5-5 Jr. S; Halle Parsons, 5-4 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Mariah Moulton
Years at the school: 2
Lowell
Current official record: 27-4
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Oakridge
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2014 (Elite 8 in 2021, when only four went to state (Covid))
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Annabelle Pickett, 5-5 Sr. libero; Amerika Baszler, 5-9 Sr. S/MB; Madison Thurman, 5-4 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Rachel Thurman
Years at the school: 2
Oakridge
Current official record: 28-2
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Lowell
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-2
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 1998
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Jade Snyder, 5-9 Sr. OH; Sadie Snyder, 5-8 Sr. OH; Bri Jones, 5-8 Fr. MB
Head coach name: Allison Williams
Years at the school: 5
Portland Christian
Current official record: 18-1
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Gaston
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-0
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2018
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Payton Becker, 5-9 Fr. S/RS; Alyysa Baird, 5-11 Jr. OH; Finley Marine, 5-9 Soph. OH; Addison Johanson, 6-0 Fr. MB
Head coach name: Denetia Chimuku
Years at the school: 2
Salem Academy
Current official record: 19-6
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Grant Union
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-2
All-time state titles: 4
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Emma Brewer, 6-1 Soph. OH; Haley Krieger, 5-6 Sr. S; Sydnie Reed, 5-4 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Melissa Holman
Years at the school: 8
Santiam
Current official record: 17-8
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Western Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 0-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2001
2022 state finish: did not qualify for playoffs
Players to watch: Makayla Dodge, 5-10 Sr. MB; Averie Peterson, 5-4 Jr. OH; Maizy Downey, 5-4 Soph. S
Head coach name: Alicia Boyd
Years at the school: 3
Western Christian
Current official record: 24-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Santiam
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 4-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: never
2022 state finish: did not play varsity schedule
Players to watch: Lexi Herber, 5-11 Jr.. S; Addison Herber, 6-0 Fr. MB; Avery Herber, 6-1 Fr. OH
Head coach name: Sydney Fahndrich
Years at the school: 1
Quarterfinals: Friday, 8 and 10 a.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 12 noon
Saturday championship match: 6 p.m.
Did you know?
Gaston is making a return trip to State with first-year head coach Sarah Irvine. This is a team that routinely screams in the locker room before matches; yet its team GPA is 3.8…Grant Union head coach Mariah Moulton graduated from the school and was a senior on the team the last time the Prospectors won State in 2017…Lowell has never won a state championship, but the Devils were a fixture at 1A state tournaments in the 2010s…Oakridge returns to the state tournament for a second year in a row. The players genuinely love and care about each other, said coach Allison Williams, and have a support system that aids in their success.
Portland Christian has two players on its roster who had sisters on the 2019 team that took third. They are hoping to win the title in their honor. Head coach Denetia Chimuku has her father, Dennis Carline, as her assistant. Carline was once a league Coach of the Year at De La Salle North Catholic and finished as high as second in the state with that program…Salem Academy is the two-time reigning state champions. The Tri-River Conference champions are making their sixth appearance in the “State 8” over the past eight seasons…Santiam hasn’t been to State since 2001. Coach Alicia Boyd is the school’s culinary teacher and taught all of the players basic cooking skills. The Wolverines have twins on the roster, Makayla and McKenna Dodge, but they also are part of the inseparable “triplets” with Kasey Solus. Two freshmen and a transfer, all named Herber, have propelled Western Christian from a team that played a JV schedule a year ago to the No. 1 seed in the state tournament. The Pioneers have a first-year head coach who is just 20 years of age!
1A (Ridgeview HS, Redmond)
Adrian
Current official record: 20-8
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Crane
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2016
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 2
Players to watch: Addy Martin, 5-6 Jr. OH; Presley Speelmon, 5-4 Sr. S; Rylee Ready, 5-7 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Aimee Esplin
Years at the school: 26
Crane
Current official record: 30-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Adrian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 7-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 4th
Players to watch: Kortney Doman, 5-9 Sr. OH; Kaitlyn Seigner, 5-9 Fr. MB; Ava Bowen, 5-9 Soph. MB
Head coach name: Maddye Wester
Years at the school: 2
Crosshill Christian
Current official record: 22-5
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Powder Valley
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Ryland Minnick, 6-1 Soph. MB; Ellie Bartel, 6-0 Soph. OH; Sierra Poush, Soph. 5-10.5 OH
Head coach name: Julie Bennett
Years at the school: 10
Joseph
Current official record: 24-9
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Umpqua Valley Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
P re-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-7
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2021
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Aimee Meyers, 5-5 Sr. OH; Cooper Nave, 5-7 Sr. OH; Caleigh Johnson, 5-8 Soph. MB
Head coach name: Jill Hite
Years at the school: 11
Powder Valley
Current official record: 28-4
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Crosshill Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
P re-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 6-1
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2012
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Jayce Anderson, 5-8 Sr. MB; Marli Lind, 5-5 Jr. S
Head coach name: Marji Lind
Years at the school: 10
St. Paul
Current official record: 24-9
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Trinity Lutheran
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
P re-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 3-1
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2019
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Gracie Koch, 5-6 Sr. S; Audra Rose, 6-0 Jr. MB; Meredith Coleman, 5-10 Sr. OH; Isla Haven, 5-4 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Les Hiller
Years at the school: 14
Trinity Lutheran
Current official record: 22-4
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: St. Paul
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
P re-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 11
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 3-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2015
2022 state finish: Lost Rd. 1
Players to watch: Madison Hernandez, 5-6 Sr. libero; Ava Elliott, 5-10 Sr. MB; Kiya Young, 5-8 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Kristin Bryan
Years at the school: 3
Umpqua Valley Christian
Current official record: 22-3
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Joseph
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
P re-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Fall record versus state tournament teams: 1-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2022 state finish: T-7 (0-2)
Players to watch: Zoey Pappas, 5-5 Sr. S/RS; Amy Pappas, 5-5 Sr. S/RS; Alli Hu, 5-6 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Candice Renyer
Years at the school: 6
Quarterfinals: Friday, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 2:15 p.m.
Saturday championship match: 8:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Adrian hasn’t been to the state tournament since 2016. The Antelopes are 0-2 versus their first-round opponent. Aimee Esplin’s team has been in some tight matches. The closer the match, the bigger the celebration afterwards. The players also are highlight junkies. Who doesn’t want to see a great volleyball play captured on video? Crane OH Kortney Doman is a long jump champion and soars vertically in excess of 10-0. It’s no wonder she’s one of the state’s kill leaders. Several of the players live in the dorm at Crane during the week and go home on the weekends…Crosshill Christian coach Julie Bennett recently celebrated 150 career wins at the school. The Eagles love to sing and dance before matches (Party in the USA and Cupid Shuffle). With only one senior on the roster and a very young core group, they may be dancing after a state title before long…Joseph has a roster full of readers. That is not a misprint. The players genuinely enjoy consuming the written word. This is for you, girls!
Powder Valley is not only a volleyball power, the team is deadly serious about the annual powder puff football game. Coach Marji Lind is so focused on team-first culture that she did not list any players to watch on our questionnaire…No 1A team plays a more challenging schedule every year than St. Paul, which is a regular in Phoenix at the Nike ToC. Les Hiller’s team has made the state playoffs all 14 years she’s been at the school. The Buckaroos have weathered the season-ending injury to big hitter Stella Koch thanks to the emergence of junior middle Audra Rose…Trinity Lutheran is at the final site for the first time since 2015. Said coach Kristin Bryan: “The John Wooden quote ‘It's not how big you are, but how big you play’ encapsulates the Saints’ 2023 season. We are small in stature and roster size with only 8 players on our varsity team, but are unique in that we don't rely on 1 or 2 key players; it is truly a full team effort every match and we play bigger than we are.”Umpqua Valley Christian made the tournament for a second straight year after an 18-year drought. The team is led by the Pappas cousins (not sisters). UVC graduated no one off of last year’s team, played injury-free during the regular season and expected to be back at state in 2023.
johnt@osaa.org
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