We’ve got a look around the state this week thanks to a handful of coaches responding to our request for some news and notes from the month of September.
League races are beginning across the state as the colors start to change, and contenders are showing themselves at the top of the standings.
Below, we have a look at some notes in each classification, and down below you’ll find our first state tournament bracket projections that look at what the postseason would look like if the season were to end today.
6A
Nelson is having another incredible season sitting at 16-3 overall, 8-0 in the Mt. Hood Conference and No. 5 in the OSAA rankings as of Oct. 3. Senior outside hitter Madi Andrews, a Michigan State commit, is up to 1,556 career kills which is the fourth most all-time in state history. The Hawks also have senior middle blocker Lainey Day, a Saint Mary’s commit, up to 147 career blocks, senior libero Avi Trees at 599 career digs and junior setter Cara Bennett up to 513 career assists.
Forest Grove, looking to unseat Sherwood for the Pacific Conference crown, is on its way to do it with a 17-3 overall record and a 7-0 mark in league play, which includes a 3-1 win over the Bowmen. Senior setter Sofie Fox has 510 assists along with 30 aces, and is joined by junior OH Sydney Chrismer and junior libero Gracee Evans as leaders of the team. Chrismer leads in kills with 293 and 33 aces, while Evans has 173 digs and 31 aces.
South Medford is staying close in a tight Southwest Conference race with Sheldon and South Eugene. The Panthers are 11-2 and 4-1 overall, the losses being in four sets to Sheldon and to Arcadia (AZ) at the Nike Tournament of Champions. Four-year varsity players in setter Julia Slaughter and outside hitter Mayenabasi Akpan are leading the way. Slaughter has 271 assists and Akpan leads in kills (180) and digs (126). Then there’s junior OH Julia Mitchell and senior right-side hitter Haddassah Pannell leading the way in blocks.
“We are chugging along with a strong start,” Panthers head coach Robin Akpan said. “We’ve dropped one match to an Oregon team – Sheldon – and then one in the premier championship game in TOC AZ to an AZ team, Arcadia. Both were good match ups against quality teams.”
South Salem senior Kamree Orizotti is on her way to the top of the record books. The setter has 470 assists this season, leaving 358 away from the new state record in career assists which is currently 3,369 by Santiam Christian’s Madison McLain. Orizotti has helped power the Saxons to a 15-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the Central Valley Conference. They did lose twice to Sprague, but will have a final rematch coming up at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Sprague. Meanwhile junior OH Avery Herber leads the Saxons in kills with 182 and senior OH Briella Mathis isn’t far behind with 172. Mathis, who also leads the team in digs this season with 125, is up to 1,204 career kills, 15th most in state history.
A young Grant team is coming along well with a 12-5 overall record and a 2-0 start in the PIL. Sophomore Osa Olsgaard leads the way in kills (114) and digs (119) for the Generals as one of many young and upcoming stars. Junior Millie Williams and freshman Eloise Armstrong each have 22 blocks on the season, sophomore Madi Williams has the most assists with 124, freshman Maggie Sweet has 93 assists, and sophomore Lily Herket has 112 digs and a team-high 25 aces.
South Eugene won its first nine matches of the season for a great September. The first loss came in four sets to Sheldon, but the Axe swept Willamette to bounce back and sit at 10-1 overall and 5-1 in the Southwest Conference. Senior OH Caroline Combs has 140 kills and 30 aces while junior Lucy Alkire is running the offense with 293 assists. Junior libero Kylie Smith has 175 digs with 20 aces, and sophomore OH Sawyer Hanley has 96 digs and 83 kills.
Glencoe is in position to make the playoffs with a 9-8 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the Pacific Conference, which is currently third place. Senior OH Cassidy Watters leads the team in kills with 155 and digs with 204, while junior Ally Meyer leads in blocks with 27 and has the second best hitting average of .143.
5A
Defending champion South Albany is doing just fine despite graduating six seniors from last year’s first-ever state crown. The RedHawks are 15-1 overall and 7-1 in the Mid-Willamette Conference, the lone loss being a five-set match to league foe Crescent Valley on Sept. 11. South Albany is still sitting at No. 1 in the OSAA rankings though, thanks in part to winning two tournaments this year at Oregon City and at their own State Preview tournament which had some of the best 6A and 5A teams in the state competing.
After a tough nonleague slate, Churchill has emerged as the Midwestern League leader with a 6-0 record in league play. The Lancers are 7-6 overall. Senior setter Lubna Ward is leading the way with an average over 30 assists per game. She committed the first week of the season to play at Bushnell University next season. Senior Kaylee Robertson and sophomore Addie Buhler, both middles, are hitting over .300 in league play while junior libero Emma Cross is “holding it down and racking up the digs on defense,” according to head coach Madison Casley.
4A
Defending champion Marshfield is recovering from playing a nonleague slate that featured many 6A or 5A opponents, leaving them with a 6-6 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the Sky Em League. League foe Marist Catholic was able to sneak out a five-set win over the Pirates on Sept. 30, but the rematch will be at Marshfield at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Senior OH Chloe Runn leads the way in digs (183) and aces (43) while sophomore OH Caroline Knutson is the leading attacker with 149 kills. Runn has 95 kills to help the attack and senior MB Mackenzie Fitzgerald-Thornton has 29 blocks. Freshman Tia Reiber and sophomore Kendall Johnson are doing the setting with 150 and 102 assists, respectively.
Cascade is looking like a title contender once more with a 10-4 overall record and is sitting in first place in the Oregon West Conference at 4-0. Senior setter Irene Rocha-Ibarra, who is committed to play beach volleyball at the University of Portland, has 329 assists along with 69 kills, 47 aces and 111 digs. Senior OH Emma Kirschenmann has been on the receiving end of those assists with 154 kills, along with 136 digs. And freshman MB Kade Lane has stepped right in and put up 148 kills with 31 blocks.
Madras continues to climb up as a program with an 8-11 overall record this season and 3-1 start to Tri-Valley Conference play, putting the White Buffaloes in second place. Senior libero Ava Leach has locked down the defense and stepped up as a leader for this Madras squad, meanwhile junior MB Ana Boyle and sophomore MB Marlee Simmelink are six-rotation players who are hitting the ball well and picking up digs in the back row. Head coach Taytum Stevens credits the turnaround of the program to the changing culture of giving 100% effort instead of settling for good enough. And it’s also important to note the team GPA is a 3.6 and all 12 players are involved with another sport or club at the school.
“That mindset really started at the Guy Enriques Seaside Camp, and it has carried into everything we’re doing this season,” Stevens said. “Our athletes are holding themselves — and each other — accountable, and it’s exciting to see the growth in both attitude and performance.”
3A
McLoughlin is having a memorable season with seven of its 14 players on the roster being seniors. The Pioneers began the season by winning the Helix Volleyball Tournament at the start of September. They are now 8-8 overall and 3-3 in Eastern Oregon League play. Senior middle Miley Rhoads leads in kills (120) and blocks (25) while putting down the second-most aces (49). Senior OH Emily Arroyo has a team-high 54 aces, senior setter/RS Abi Perkins has 107 assists and senior S/RS Addy Leonetti has 101 assists.
“(Winning the Helix tournament) was especially meaningful as we’ve been working hard all season to build momentum and grow as a team,” Pioneers head coach Kassidy Ruiz said. “This year has been particularly bittersweet for me as a coach. I started with this group when the current seniors were freshmen, and it's been incredible to watch them grow, develop their skills, and learn to trust each other both on and off the court.”
Vale is sitting at 11-6 overall this season with a 4-1 record in the Eastern Oregon League, the lone loss being a four-set match against Burns. Senior middle Bailey King has 188 kills to lead the attack with sophomore Braelyn Keller not far behind with 162. Head coach Shannon Steele believes the sophomore had a night where she put it all together Sept. 30 against Nyssa and could continue to be a weapon for the Vikings. Other stat leaders include senior libero Sophie Aldred with 262 digs, junior Brooklyn Maag with 34 aces and sophomore setter Avery Schiemer with 440 assists.
Santiam Christian is battling in the tough PacWest Conference, sitting at 7-4 overall and 7-2 in league play for a tie for second place. The Eagles took first-place Dayton to five sets recently on Sept. 25. Freshman MB Sydney Ball has 35 blocks on the season, senior setter Lexie Boshart as 286 assists and sophomore libero/OH Emma Wright has 151 digs.
Pleasant Hill is sitting at 8-8 overall this season with a 2-3 mark in the Mountain Valley Conference. Junior Anna Crawford had 155 kills, 219 digs, 35 aces and six blocks. Fellow junior Sari Strinz is right behind her with 119 kills, 25 aces and 143 digs.
Neah-Kah-Nie is 6-10 overall this season and just recently went to a 3-4 mark in the Coastal Range League. Freshman MH Lucy Smith has a 100% serving mark with 14 aces, meanwhile junior MH Jasmine Jones has 43 kills and is hitting .273 along with a team-high 28 blocks.
2A
Crosshill Christian won its first 15 matches of the season before falling to 3A’s current No. 1 squad in Westside Christian in straight sets. Still, the 15-match win streak included a five-set thriller over 2A’s No. 2 squad in Portland Christian on Sept. 27. Senior Ellie Bartel had 24 kills in the match with a .333 hitting percentage and three aces. Senior Zoey Baker had 16 kills and four aces while freshman Payton Kaufman had 14 kills and five aces in the big win.
East Linn Christian is sitting at No. 8 in 2A at 9-6 overall, 3-1 in the Valley Coast Conference. Senior Lexy Kauffman leads the way in kills with 113 and is second in digs with 157. Sophomore Maci Modderman is in the middle with 22 blocks and 18 aces, senior Tatiana Manner leads in digs and aces with 240 and 18, respectively, and Abigail Garber has 92 assists.
1A
Two-time defending champion Crane has been pushed this season, but has still run its 1A winning streak to 54 consecutive matches dating back to 2022. Imbler gave the Mustangs a scare on Sept. 26 by pushing Crane to five sets. Kamryn Dunten is getting it done on the attack for the Mustangs though with 199 kills, followed closely by Ava Bowen with 193. Kendal Nichols is running the offense with 576 assists and leads in aces with 49. Emily Clark leads in digs with 174 and is second in aces with 47. Bowen also leads in blocks with 21 and is second in digs with 169.
South Wasco County is looking for a home playoff game, sitting at No. 15 in the OSAA rankings. The Redsides are 12-6 overall this season and 5-2 in the tough Big Sky League. Senior OH Bailey Udey leads in kills (204) and is second in digs (200). Senior do-it-all Jayda Iverson leads in digs (255), is tied for third with 41 aces, and has dished out 105 assists. Senior setter Justee Gotham has the team-high in assists with 349 and also leads in aces with 62. Sophomore MB Aullee Shirley has 13 blocks to lead the team.
Junior middle Gracee Hemphill has Pilot Rock/Ukiah hanging tough in the Old Oregon League at 6-8 overall and 3-3 in league play. Hemphill leads the team in kills with 87 and also leads in blocks with 21. Senior middle Kashley Golden is close behind with 85 kills. Senior Aubrey Corwin and junior Kessa Liftin are splitting setting duties with the former having 126 assists and the latter with 119. Corwin also leads in aces with 61 while senior OH Coley Gibbs is second with 53 and leads the way in digs with 217.
“We have played most of the season with only 6 players and 2 swing players so everyone is contributing and we are hanging in there at 3-3 for league,” Rockets head coach Jen Porter said.
State tournament projections
Now we shift our focus to a fun exercise of looking at where each team stands when it comes to the state tournaments.
The season ends with the rankings freeze, which for 6A, 3A and 1A is Oct. 25 and for 5A, 4A and 2A is Oct. 28.
For this exercise, we follow the Playoff Qualification guidelines which can be found on the OSAA website for determining automatic bids and at-large bids.
To decide current league leaders, we go by league winning percentage, and if there is a tie, we look for head-to-head results. If there is no head-to-head tiebreaker, we default to the OSAA ranking to determine who’s ahead.
It’s important to keep in mind this is just a snapshot from noon on Oct. 3. One match played can change these projections drastically. Think of this more as the general area of which team stands and who needs to go for a few more wins to make sure they make the postseason.
Other important notes: League matchups are avoided for a team’s first playoff game. To avoid these, the lower seed is moved down a maximum of three seed lines to try and avoid the league matchup. Also, league winners are guaranteed a home playoff match regardless of ranking in 6A and 1A, but in 5A-2A, the league winners must also be in the top 16 of the OSAA rankings.
6A
Automatic bids (3 per league)
PIL: Grant, Lincoln, McDaniel
Metro: Jesuit, Westview, Mountainside
Pacific: Forest Grove, Sherwood, Glencoe
Mt. Hood: Nelson, Central Catholic, Sandy
Three Rivers: Oregon City, West Linn, Lakeridge
Central Valley: Sprague, South Salem, West Salem
Southwest: Sheldon, South Eugene, South Medford
At-larges (11)
Barlow
St. Mary’s Academy
McNary
Clackamas
North Medford
Sunset
Lake Oswego
Cleveland
Ida B. Wells
Franklin
McMinnville
Next five out: Roseburg, Tigard, Gresham, Tualatin, Century
Projected bracket
No. 32 McMinnville at No. 1 Sprague
No. 17 Barlow at No. 16 Mountainside
No. 25 North Medford at No. 8 Oregon City
No. 24 Lakeridge at No. 9 South Medford
No. 28 Lake Oswego at No. 5 Nelson
No. 21 Clackamas at No. 12 West Salem
No. 20 St. Mary’s Academy at No. 13 Lincoln
No. 29 Cleveland at No. 4 Jesuit
No. 30 Ida B. Wells at No. 3 Sheldon
No. 19 McDaniel at No. 14 South Eugene
No. 22 McNary at No. 11 Grant
No. 27 Sunset at No. 6 Forest Grove
No. 26 Glencoe at No. 7 Central Catholic
No. 23 Sherwood at No. 10 Westview
No. 18 West Linn at No. 15 Sandy
No. 31 Franklin at No. 2 South Salem
- Swapped North Medford and Lakeridge to avoid North Medford-South Medford and Lakeridge-Oregon City league matchups.
- Swapped McNary and Clackamas to avoid McNary-West Salem league matchup.
5A
Automatic bids
NWOC (4): La Salle Prep, Wilsonville, Centennial, Canby
Midwestern (3): Churchill, Crater, Ashland
Mid-Willamette (4): Crescent Valley, South Albany, West Albany, Corvallis
Intermountain (3): Summit, Bend, Crook County
At-larges (2)
Caldera
Central
Next five out: Silverton, Redmond, Mountain View, Lebanon, North Eugene
Projected bracket
No. 16 Canby at No. 1 South Albany
No. 9 Corvallis at No. 8 Churchill
No. 12 Wilsonville at No. 5 Crater
No. 13 Ashland at No. 4 Bend
No. 14 Central at No. 3 Summit
No. 11 Centennial at No. 6 West Albany
No. 10 Caldera at No. 7 La Salle Prep
No. 15 Crook County at No. 2 Crescent Valley
- Moved Churchill from No. 9 to 8 as current league leader
- Moved La Salle Prep from No. 8 to 7 as current league leader, make room for Churchill at No. 8
- Swapped Centennial and Caldera to avoid Centennial-La Salle Prep league matchup.
4A
Automatic bids (2 per league)
Cowapa: Astoria, St. Helens
Tri-Valley: The Dalles, Madras
Oregon West: Cascade, Philomath
Sky Em: Marist Catholic, Marshfield
Skyline: Henley, Phoenix
Greater Oregon: Pendleton, Baker
At-larges (four highest ranked third place teams)
Cottage Grove
Estacada
Stayton
Tillamook
Next two out: Mazama, La Grande
Projected bracket
No. 16 Phoenix at No. 1 Marist Catholic
No. 9 Cottage Grove at No. 8 Astoria
No. 12 St. Helens at No. 5 Henley
No. 13 Madras at No. 4 Pendleton
No. 14 Baker at No. 3 Philomath
No. 11 Stayton at No. 6 The Dalles
No. 10 Estacada at No. 7 Marshfield
No. 15 Tillamook at No. 2 Cascade
- Moved Astoria from No. 10 to 8 as current league leader
3A
Automatic bids
Lewis & Clark (3): Westside Christian, Valley Catholic, Catlin Gabel
Coastal Range (3): Warrenton, Corbett, Banks
PacWest (3): Dayton, Salem Academy, Santiam Christian
Mountain Valley (2): Sisters, Creswell
Far West (2): Coquille, Douglas
Eastern Oregon (2): Burns, Vale
Southern Oregon (2): Cascade Christian, St. Mary’s Medford
At-larges (3)
North Valley
Taft
Portland Adventist
Next five out: Sutherlin, Pleasant Hill, Harrisburg, Blanchet Catholic, Lakeview
Projected bracket
No. 17 Portland Adventist at No. 16 Santiam Christian
No. 16/17 winner at No. 1 Westside Christian
No. 9 Salem Academy at No. 8 Coquille
No. 20 Banks at No. 13 North Valley
No. 13/20 winner at No. 4 Sisters
No. 12 Creswell at No. 5 Cascade Christian
No. 18 Warrenton at No. 15 St. Mary’s Medford
No. 15/18 winner at No. 2 Valley Catholic
No. 10 Catlin Gabel at No. 7 Dayton
No. 19 Corbett at No. 14 Taft
No. 14/19 winner at No. 3 Burns
No. 11 Vale at No. 6 Douglas
- Warrenton stays at No. 18 despite being the league leader due to OSAA ranking outside the top 16 (23)
- Moved Coquille from No. 10 to 8 as current league leader
- Moved Dayton from No. 8 to 7 as current league leader, make room for Coquille at No. 8
- Swapped North Valley and Creswell to avoid North Valley-Cascade Christian league matchup
2A
Automatic bids
Northwest (3): Clatskanie, Portland Christian, Gaston
Tri-River (3): Delphian, Santiam, Regis
Valley Coast (2): Crosshill Christian, East Linn Christian
Blue Mountain (2): Heppner, Weston-McEwen
Sunset (2): Myrtle Point, Reedsport
East Cascades (2): Trinity Lutheran, Culver
At-larges (2)
Oakridge
Irrigon
Next five out: Grant Union, Faith Bible, Lowell, Gold Beach, Stanfield
Projected bracket
No. 16 Reedsport at No. 1 Crosshill Christian
No. 9 Santiam at No. 8 East Linn Christian
No. 12 Oakridge at No. 5 Heppner
No. 13 Weston-McEwen at No. 4 Delphian
No. 14 Irrigon at No. 3 Myrtle Point
No. 11 Culver at No. 6 Clatskanie
No. 10 Regis at No. 7 Portland Christian
No. 15 Gaston at No. 2 Trinity Lutheran
- Swapped Weston-McEwen and Oakridge to avoid Weston-Heppner league matchup.
1A
Automatic bids (3 per league)
Valley 10: North Clackamas Christian, Mannahouse Christian, Damascus Christian
Casco: St. Paul, Perrydale, Chemawa
Mountain West: Triangle Lake, Mohawk, Alsea
Skyline: Umpqua Valley Christian, North Douglas, Elkton
Mountain Valley: Central Christian, North Lake, Rogue Valley Adventist
Big Sky: Ione/Arlington, Dufur, South Wasco County
Old Oregon: Powder Valley, Imbler, Joseph
High Desert: Crane, Prairie City, Adrian
At-larges (8)
Southwest Christian
Elgin
Sherman
Powers
Open Door Christian
Cove
Crosspoint Christian
Glendale
Next five out: Country Christian, Echo, Willamette Valley Christian, Union, Condon
Projected bracket
No. 32 Alsea at No. 1 North Clackamas Christian
No. 17 South Wasco County at No. 16 Triangle Lake
No. 25 Damascus Christian at No. 8 Ione/Arlington
No. 24 Mannahouse Christian at No. 9 Imbler
No. 28 Cove at No. 5 Umpqua Valley Christian
No. 21 Powers at No. 12 Dufur
No. 20 Mohawk at No. 13 Prairie City
No. 29 Crosspoint Christian at No. 4 Crane
No. 30 Glendale at No. 3 Powder Valley
No. 19 Elgin at No. 14 Elkton
No. 22 Sherman at No. 11 Southwest Christian
No. 27 Open Door Christian at No. 6 North Lake
No. 26 Perrydale at No. 7 Joseph
No. 23 Adrian at No. 10 North Douglas
No. 18 Rogue Valley Adventist at No. 15 St. Paul
No. 31 Chemawa at No. 2 Central Christian
- Moved Triangle Lake from No. 21 to 16 as current league leader
- Moved St. Paul from No. 16 to 15 as current league leader, make room for Triangle Lake at No. 16
- Swapped Sherman and Powers to avoid Sherman-Dufur league matchup.
austinw@osaa.org
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