Grant girls volleyball celebrates a point scored against Lincoln. (Photo by Ben Teese)

For the past 15 seasons, Erin Cole has been leading the Grant girls volleyball and this weekend she’ll hope it makes a little bit more history.

Back in 2024, the Generals made the state tournament for the first time in program history as the No. 8 seed. However, they dropped their two matches at Forest Grove.

Returning this year as the No. 4 seed following a 3-1 win over No. 13 West Linn, the Generals hope this can be the year where they stamp their first ever state tournament win when they take on No. 5 Westview at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

Most importantly, they want to do that for the team’s two seniors in middle blocker Millie Williams and setter/defensive specialist Abby Butler.

“That is the number one goal here,” Cole said of getting state tournament win No. 1. “I think that it means a lot to them. They are the smallest senior class I've ever had, so I think they feel a sense of closeness with one another because they're the ones left. Probably started with 14 or 16 freshmen when they entered the program and they're the last ones standing, so I think it means a lot to them.”

Cole started helping out in the program in 2007 before taking over as head coach in 2011, alongside her assistant coach still today in Erin McNulty. 

Building Grant into the Portland Interscholastic League powerhouse that it is now started by getting the youth program motivated and getting players to be excited about being Generals.

From there, the program has flourished into what Cole hopes to be a state tournament mainstay, but more important a place for young women to grow.

“I think for the first few years we were just trying to kind of figure out what running a program was about and just changing the culture, about being proud of being a part of Grant volleyball,” Cole said. “A big thing too is there's been so many more kids that just want to be a part of the program. They see it as sixth graders and seventh graders, and they look up to all the juniors and seniors and varsity players.”

Many of the 2026 Generals aren’t too far removed from those middle school days with only two seniors on the roster.

One of the non-seniors is junior Osa Olsgaard, who was named the PIL Player of the Year this fall and was part of the rotation as a freshman back in 2024 at state. 

Olsgaard, a Saint Mary’s commit, finished the season with 218 kills and 247 digs, both team-highs, along with 32 aces and 23 blocks. And the junior did that despite losing some time at the net in the last few weeks of the season due to injury. She’s back now though and had 17 kills in Grant’s second-round win over West Linn.

“She can jump out of the gym, she has a very high vertical, she's so versatile in the front row, but honestly, her defense this year I think is what has really truly leveled up her game,” Cole said. “She is our best to serve-receive passer. She has the most digs on the team. She can cover the court honestly by herself. She works so hard, she's so quick and I think that's truly what's leveled up her game the most is her defense.”

The other youngsters powering this Grant squad include sophomore MB Eloise Armstrong, who was named to the All-PIL first-team alongside Olsgaard.

Armstrong has 126 kills, second most on the team, along with 42 blocks and 33 aces (a team high). Sophomore MB/RS Louisa Andersen made the second-team with 74 kills and 36 blocks.

Williams the senior was also named to the second-team as the Generals’ leading blocker with 50 stops on the year, pairing with her 42 kills and 21 aces.

Junior Madi Williams and sophomore Maeve Stowe share the assists in the 6-2 system with 177 and 173, respectively. Meanwhile the back row is anchored by junior Lily Herkert with 181 digs and junior Jules Maxfield with 116 digs.

Butler, a S/DS, also has been an important contributor throughout the season when injuries pushed her into the starting lineup or when the Generals needed her off the bench.

“Abby has been big-time for us in different points of the season,” Cole said. “She's so positive and she's so great with everybody, and she's such a leader, like on the bench and off the court, and even on the court. I can count on her for anything and everything, and she's truly just like one of the best kids.”

Put it all together and you’ve got a team that is ready to make a run come this weekend.

“They've all played a big key to the success of the season, whether or not they feel it, but it truly is – just the closeness of this team this year is just way different than last year,” Cole said. “I think they're in a good position, and I think if we stick to our game and play well, then I think we'll be successful on Friday and Saturday.”

6A

No. 1 Jesuit (23-4 overall, 10-0 Metro, first place) vs. No. 9 South Eugene (18-8 overall, 12-0 Midwestern Hybrid, first place)

Jesuit last appearance (state titles): 2025 (10)

South Eugene last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The Crusaders are back as the top seed and three-time defending state champions, but the roster looks a little different from those past three years. Leading the attack is sophomore Devan Rolling who has 239 kills this season and was named to the first-team All-Metro. Joining her on that top league team is junior setter Skylar Thompson with 362 assists, junior libero/DS Cecily O’Sullivan with 341 digs and senior Marley Freeman, who does a little bit of everything with 193 kills, 38 aces, 27 blocks and 153 digs. Junior Reese Randall leads in blocks with 56 and was named to as an All-Metro honorable mention. Jesuit played South Eugene back on Oct. 10 in a tournament at West Linn, winning the best-of-three match 2-0. Overall, Jesuit is 6-1 against state opponents with two wins over Westview, one over Sheldon, one over Central Catholic and one over Sprague to join the South Eugene win. The one loss was to Sprague.

The Axe are back after ending a nine-year absence in the state tournament last season. Most of that team is back, which includes senior Sofia Collins who leads the team in kills with 246. Right behind her is junior Sawyer Henley with 223, who has 271 digs and 20 blocks on the defensive side. Collins has 211 digs, 21 blocks and 28 aces. South Eugene has experience in the back row as well with senior Kylie Smith posting 569 digs on the year, meanwhile senior Lucy Alkire runs the offense with 814 assists this season, along with 214 digs. Junior Meadow Bottalico and senior Capri Betenson make up the wall, posting 38 and 35 blocks, respectively. South Eugene is 4-4 against state tournament teams, beating Sheldon twice, South Salem once and Grant once. The four losses are to South Salem twice, Jesuit once and Sprague once.

No. 4 Grant (22-4 overall, 8-0 PIL, first place) vs. No. 5 Westview (21-9 overall, 7-3 Metro, second place)

Grant last appearance (state titles): 2024 (none)

Westview last appearance (state titles): 2024 (none)

For more on Grant, read above!

The Wildcats are back in Forest Grove after a one-year absence, and they bring with them three college-bound seniors ready to do some damage. It starts in the back row with senior libero Mady Lebeck, who is committed to Boise State and leads the team in digs with 578. That led to her being named first-team All-Metro, alongside senior outside Abbey Meier and senior middle blocker Ashlyn Pedersen. Pedersen, who is committed to Siena University, leads the team in kills with 323 while Meier, committed to Seattle Pacific, is close behind with 271. Running the show on offense is junior setter Logan Kekaualua who has 715 assists this season. Westview also has junior MB Liv Clement who was named an all-league honorable mention. Westview went 2-6 against state opponents, the two wins against South Salem and Central Catholic with the six losses being to Jesuit twice, Sheldon twice and Central Catholic twice.

No. 3 South Salem (24-5 overall, 10-0 Central Valley, first place) vs. No. 6 Central Catholic (24-7 overall, 10-2 Mt. Hood, first place)

South Salem last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Central Catholic last appearance (state titles): 2021 (6)

The Saxons lost some huge pieces from last year in Kamree Orizotti and Briella Mathis, but the program doesn’t rebuild, it reloads. Senior twins Avery and Addison Herber, who are committed to Montana, both returned to help fill the gap and both were named to the All-Central Valley first-team. Avery led the team in kills with 381 while Addison chipped in 213 and has 52 total blocks. Stepping up in a big way this season was Nora Kartye, a junior committed to Utah State who gave the Saxons 222 kills along with a team-high 75 total blocks, easily earning her way to first-team all-league. Avery Herber also led the team in digs with 260 while sophomore Liv Muhammad, named to the second-team All-Central Valley, took over the setter role and posted 744 assists this season. “We set out this year with the goal of continuous growth and playing our best at the end of the season, and it definitely feels like we have found a great rhythm and know what we need to do and are capable of,” South Salem head coach Matt Leichty said. The Saxons went 7-2 against state tournament teams, beating Sprague twice, South Eugene twice, Sheldon twic and Grant. The two losses were a third matchup with South Eugene and a Sept. 3 loss to Westview.

The Rams return to Forest Grove after a four-year absence and are looking to get back on top under first-year head coach Anna Dillard. Central Catholic has four first-team All-Mt. Hood players, starting with senior setter Noa Kaopuiki-Delaney who had 541 assists, 109 digs and 44 aces this season. Next is junior DS Noe Moody who has 294 digs and 60 aces on the season to earn her first-team bid. Then it’s senior Khaki Davison who leads the team in kills with 151 and then senior MB Millie Massey-Lanthan with a team-high 42 blocks and 147 kills. The attack is balanced overall for the Rams as junior Stella Fox has 136 kills and fourth place Romey Price has 120. Central Catholic also boasts senior Bennett Waage, who is committed to play next year at Occidental College. Central Catholic went 3-4 against tournament teams, two wins both coming Aug. 29 over Sheldon and Westview and the third against Westview as well. The three losses came to Sprague, Jesuit, Westview and Sheldon.

No. 2 Sprague (21-5 overall, 8-2 Central Valley, second place) vs. No. 10 Sheldon (19-12 overall, 10-2 Midwestern Hybrid, second place)

Sprague last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Sheldon last appearance (state titles): 2025 (1)

The Olympians return after falling one match short of a state title in 2025, still looking for the program’s first blue trophy. They have Brooke Friesen back though, who was named the Central Valley Conference Player of the Year thanks to her all-around performance with 521 assists (first on the team), 161 kills (third), 150 digs (fourth), 43 blocks (first) and 40 aces (first). Friesen is committed to play for Northern Colorado next year. There’s plenty of power around her as well with freshman OH Mina Hoda leading the team with 194 kills, followed closely by senior Khloe Livingston with 182. Livingston also leads the team in digs with 249, easily earning herself first-team all-league along with Hoda. Junior L/DS Eliza Lohrman was also named to the first-team with 167 digs and 33 aces. Sprague met Sheldon twice this year in tournaments, winning the first 2-1 on Sept. 2 in Sheldon’s gym and the other 2-0 on Oct. 17 at a tournament at South Eugene. Sprague split matches with Jesuit and has a win over Central Catholic, but did lose both league matches to South Salem.

The Irish pulled off an upset in round two to earn their spot back in the state tournament. A big reason for that was sophomore Brynn Smith, who had 20 kills and 22 digs in the match against Lincoln and leads the Irish this year in kills with 276, along with 211 digs. Senior MB Abby Zauner is next with 222 kills (and 70 blocks) and sophomore OH/S Nia Tuioti is right there with 213 kills (and 220 digs). Senior L Savannah McKibben, who’s committed to play next year at Concordia University Irvine next year, leads the back row with 427 digs. Senior MB Callie White is a Linn-Benton CC commit and leads the team in blocks with 95. Then, it’s sophomore setter Addison Brandow putting it all together with 612 assists and 120 digs this season. Sheldon lost twice to Sprague in tournament settings this year and is looking to turn that around in Forest Grove. Sheldon is 3-6 against other tournament teams, one win being over Central Catholic on Oct. 3 and the other two over Westview, and the losses coming to Central Catholic, Jesuit, twice to South Eugene and twice to South Salem.

5A

No. 1 Crescent Valley (26-1 overall, 12-0 Mid-Willamette, first place) vs. No. 9 West Albany (13-9 overall, 9-3 Mid-Willamette, third place)

Crescent Valley last appearance (state titles): 2025 (2)

West Albany last appearance (state titles): 2025 (3)

The Raiders enter as one of the most dominant teams in the entire state this season with only one loss that came from the Nike Tournament of Champions on Oct. 3 in Arizona. They’ve won 69 sets this year and only lost 15. Leading that charge are five All-Mid-Willamette first-teamers in senior Allison Curtis, senior Niana King, senior Karsyn Horn, senior Naiya Whitinger and sophomore Lela Campos. Curtis, a UT Arlington commit, lights it up at the net with 440 kills this season while also getting it done in the back row with 220 digs. Whitinger leads there though with 438 digs and King, a College of Idaho commit, is the defense at the net with 46 blocks. Campos puts it all together as the setter with 1,044 assists, along with 284 digs. Horn, a Navy commit, has 162 kills, 23 blocks and 236 digs. Crescent Valley played West Albany four times this season, twice in league and two other times in tournaments. The Raiders won all 11 sets. They also took Bend and South Albany twice and have a three-set win over 6A No. 1 Jesuit.

The Bulldogs are back at state after going on the road in round one for a win. Junior Lily Hamblin led the attack with 113 kills in league play and was named first-team All-Mid-Willamette. Joining her on the first-team was junior MB Ava Thompson who had 87 kills and 28 blocks in league play. Leading the defense though was junior MB Payton Warner with her 35 blocks, earning her a second-team nod. Senior Alice Beatty was second in kills with 106, led the team in digs with 100 and had 17 blocks, earning her an honorable mention. Senior Lilyanne Gange and junior Emma Wright split the setting duties with 186 and 152 assists, respectively. West Albany is hoping the fifth time is the charm against a league opponent in Crescent Valley who it lost to twice in league and two more times in tournaments. The Bulldogs have a win over La Salle Prep and a loss to Bend, plus they split results with league opponent South Albany.

No. 4 South Albany (14-5 overall, 9-3 Mid-Willamette, second place) vs. No. 4 Wilsonville (17-4 overall, 12-0 Greater Metro, first place)

South Albany last appearance (state titles): 2025 (2)

Wilsonville last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The RedHawks are back to defend their back-to-back state titles in 5A. Senior Audrey Webb, an Angelo State commit, will be a big part of a potential run as the Mid-Willamette Player of the Year, hitting at a .381 percentage with 360 kills, 215 digs, 15 blocks and 28 aces. Junior MB Addie Minnick was named to the conference’s first-team behind 176 kills, 44 blocks and 54 digs. Junior setter Brooklynn Dodge earned a spot on the team as well with 608 assists, 112 digs and 20 blocks. Senior libero Alicia Martindale holds down the back row with 148 digs this season, and sophomore Shaleigh Strome will be an attacking option with 92 kills this season. South Albany went 1-5 against state tournament foes, falling twice to Crescent Valley and Bend and splitting league matchups with West Albany.

The Wildcats are still in search of state title No. 1 as they make their return to the state tournament once again. Senior Teagan Hamilton hopes to help her team make noise as the Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year. The Arizona Christian commit had 113 kills, 138 digs and 26 aces this season. Leading in kills was junior Grace Thomas with 173 and close behind was sophomore Lucy Heu-Weller with 155, who also had 25 blocks and was named to All-Greater Metro first-team. Junior Karli Vannoy was the block leader with 32 and she also had 104 kills for a balanced attack. Handing out most of the assists was senior Sadie Larkin with 247, but senior Elli Ahrens was a big part of that as well with 170 assists. Junior Jesse Bambach was a first-team all-league pick with her team-high 225 digs. Wilsonville only played La Salle Prep out of the seven other tournament teams, beating it twice.

No. 3 Summit (14-5 overall, 9-3 Intermountain, second place) vs. No. 6 Crater (15-8 overall, 11-1 Southern Oregon Hybrid, first place)

Summit last appearance (state titles): 2025 (2)

Crater last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

No response from Summit.

The Comets are back for a rematch of a quarterfinal with Summit that Crater won in four last season. Junior Addy Benson provides the fireworks at the net with 414 kills, along with 89 digs, which earned her Player of the Year in the Southern Oregon Hybrid league. She is committed to Nevada for the next level and broke the school record for single-season hitting. Benson has a first-team libero behind her in junior Tatum Richmond and her 404 digs, 58 assists and 20 aces. Junior setter Kaci Wilson sets up the offense with 722 assists and 250 digs this season, getting her on the conference first-team as well. Sophomore Brynlee Young missed some time this year due to injury, but she still had 210 kills and 176 digs as a formidable all-around player. Freshman MB Maren Rogers has 35 blocks this season to round out a strong group of five athletes. Crater played Summit twice this season, dropping the first match in five on Sept. 3 to start the season and then a 2-0 loss at a tournament hosted by South Albany on Sept. 26. Crater also lost to Bend in straight sets in its season opening match.

No. 2 Bend (23-3 overall, 12-0 Intermountain, first place) vs. No. 10 La Salle Prep (24-7 overall, 10-2 Greater Metro, second place)

Bend last appearance (state titles): 2025 (2)

La Salle Prep last appearance (state titles): 2022 (5)

The Lava Bears are back and heading to Central HS after finishing as runnerups a season ago. However, nearly everyone is back for Bend, including Intermountain Conference Player of the Year senior Brooklyn Fobi and her 321 kills, 195 digs and 22 blocks. Junior Izzy Limoges has 254 kills to provide another strong hitting option and sophomore Lucy O’Connell doles out the assists with 899 this season, making the All-IMC first-team. Freshman Dublin Jensen has 132 kills with 58 blocks while sophomore Riley Isfeld has 185 kills, 62 blocks and 30 aces. Sophomore Kailyn Cooper is another weapon in the back row with 324 digs and 60 aces on the year. Bend went 6-2 against state tournament teams, two of the wins coming over Summit. The other four wins are over Crater, West Albany and South Albany twice, meanwhile the two losses were both to Crescent Valley.

The Falcons end a three-year drought of missing the 5A state tournament with their trip to Central HS. Juniors Presley Wright and Luci Reid were both named to the first-team All-Greater Metro as hitters, meanwhile junior Taimane Sulages made the first-team as a setter. Senior libero/DS Abby Martin, one of three captains with Reid and Sulages, made the second-team alongside junior L/DS Maddie Bennett. La Salle Prep is 0-3 against 5A state opponents, two losses to Wilsonville and one to West Albany, but do have a three-set win over 6A No. 1 Jesuit.

4A

No. 1 Valley Catholic (27-2 overall, 10-0 Cowapa, first place) vs. No. 8 Pendleton (18-9 overall, 9-0 Greater Oregon, first place)

Valley Catholic last appearance (state titles): 2025 in 3A (5)

Pendleton last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The Valiants won state the past two years in 3A, and now they’re the top seed and favorite for a 4A title as they head to Coos Bay. Senior setter Jaya McGregor, a Fort Lewis (CO) commit, is the focal point with 1,069 assists this season, leading to her being named the Cowapa League Player of the Year. She’s also got 229 digs and 42 aces. Senior MB Maeve Albert, a Western Oregon commit, is a force at the net with 506 kills and 36 blocks, both team highs, and also gets it done in the back row with 176 digs and 35 aces. Junior OH Hadley Entizne has 344 kills with a team-high 417 digs to provide another all-around performer. Sophomore OP Emma Sarantakos also stuffs the stat sheet with 229 kills and a team-high 77 aces. Senior DS Gabi Velasco leads in digs with 311 as all the players listed were selected to the All-Cowapa first-team. Valley Catholic is 6-0 against state tournament teams, beating five different squads in The Dalles, Marist Catholic, Cascade Christian, Henley and Astoria twice.

The Buckaroos are back in Coos Bay following another dominant season out east. Sophomore MJ Gomez and senior Caitlin Cooley shared Greater Oregon Player of the Year honors, and rightfully so as the duo was unstoppable. Gomez easily led the team in kills with 400 and Cooley had 773 assists. Gomez added in 236 digs and Cooley had 188. Senior libero McKinley Moore was also a first-teamer with a team-high 421 digs, along with senior Braelyn Gunter and her 215 kills and 39 aces. Senior OH Kelsi Primus was also a first-teamer with 183 kills. Pendleton accomplished all this while still missing Finley Evans, who is committed to play at Corbin next year, but missed the whole season due to injury. Pendleton only played one other tournament team, a 3-0 loss to The Dalles.

No. 4 The Dalles (19-4 overall, 10-0 Tri-Valley, first place) vs. No. 5 Cascade Christian (18-5 overall, 12-0 Skyline, first place)

The Dalles last appearance (state titles): 2025 (1)

Cascade Christian last appearance (state titles): 2025 in 3A (2)

The Riverhawks are back in the 4A state tournament and are bringing one of the best players in the state as well. Junior Jazlynn Morris-Holmes, a two-time first-team All-tournament player already, has 430 kills this season and is swinging .355 on the year. She gets it done in the back row as well with 285 digs. Not bad for a player who is a natural setter according to head coach Teresa Morris. Around Morris-Holmes is senior Evelyn Rogers with 197 kills this season with 25 blocks and 113 digs. Sophomore setter Taylor Tuia is another all-around player with 689 assists, 188 digs, 70 aces and 47 kills. The Dalles played Cascade Christian at the Challengers’ home tournament back on Sept. 12 where Cascade Christian came away with a 2-1 win. The Riverhawks are 2-3 overall against tournament competition, dropping matches to Valley Catholic and Marist Catholic at the start of the year while taking down Stayton and Pendleton in straight sets.

The Challengers made the 3A semifinals a year ago and have moved up to 4A this year looking to continue their success. They have a balanced attack with four players going for over 100 kills. Junior MB Hadley Wilcox leads the way with 235, followed by sophomore OH/MB Morgan Maurer with 174, sophomore OH Avery Hunter with 147 and junior MB Kyla Kleinsasser with 108. Hunter also has 248 digs and 2.13 serve/receive rating. Junior Reece Anderson is the setter and has 552 assists on the year. With only one senior in DS Addison Shipman, the Challengers plan on not being just a force this tournament, but for years to come. Plus, they have a win over The Dalles already this season, 2-1 back on Sept. 12 in Cascade Christian’s home tournament. The Challengers have two wins over No. 10 Henley this year but also have two losses to tournament teams in Valley Catholic and Santiam Christian in five.

No. 3 Stayton (18-4 overall, 9-1 Oregon West, first place) vs. No. 11 Astoria (13-8 overall, 7-3 Cowapa, second place)

Stayton last appearance (state titles): 2024 (none)

Astoria last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

No response from Stayton.

The Fishermen make a return to the state tournament thanks to an upset of No. 6 Cascade in the first round. Senior setter Lyla Carlson runs the offense and is a three-year varsity starter. She bumps it up to senior MB Keturah Jackson and junior MB Kyah Gohr most often for the offense. Jackson had 22 kills in the first round win over Cascade while Gohr, a beach volleyball commit to Washington, had 17 in the match. Sophomore Emma Ness will be another player to look for in the serving game and out on the court. Astoria played Stayton twice this season, dropping the first match Sept. 3 in five sets to open the season, but got revenge on Oct. 10 in a tournament hosted by Seaside with a 2-0 victory. Astoria is 0-3 against the rest of the field with two losses to league foe Valley Catholic and one to Marist Catholic.

No. 2 Marist Catholic (24-2 overall, 12-0 Sky-Em, first place) vs. No. 10 Henley (21-4 overall, 10-2 Skyline, second place)

Marist Catholic last appearance (state titles): 2025 (5)

Henley last appearance (state titles): 2025 (3)

The Spartans are back in Coos Bay as defending 4A state champions and are looking to add a sixth title to their mantle. They have eight returners as well, starting with Sky-Em Player of the Year senior Lauren Rohman. The setter/RH and Portland State commit posted a team-high 321 kills along with 333 assists, 140 digs, a team-high 59 aces and 28 blocks. Joining her on the all-league first-team were senior OH/RS Kimmy Spurlock, senior S/RS Anna Edwards and junior MB/RS Maxine Holland-Bak. Edwards is the leader in assists with 423 on the year while Holland-Bak is second in kills with 166 and Spurlock, an Eastern Oregon commit, is a close third with 159. Holland-Bak also leads in blocks with 45 and Spurlock has 260 digs with 55 aces. Sophomore Kate Forsyth is the digs leader with 309 and senior L/DS Colbie Cummings is a beach volleyball commit to Bushnell with 139 digs. Marist Catholic played Henley to begin the season way back on Aug. 29, dropping the tournament match 2-0. The Spartans are 2-2 overall against tournament teams, taking a match from The Dalles and Astoria while losing in five sets to Valley Catholic, all back in September.

The Hornets took out No. 7 Junction City in the first round to make it back to the state tournament. Junior Makayla Schroeder has the big arm with 318 kills this season, along with 59 blocks, 166 digs and 32 aces. Senior OH Abby DuBose provides some depth at the net with 161 kills so far as well, along with 177 digs and 19 aces. Senior setter Hailey Paulson organizes them and has 759 assists with 135 digs. Senior Jenna Melsness and junior libero Rylee Hollingsworth shore up the back row with 159 and 163 digs, respectively. Sophomore MB/RS Ryleigh McDaniel has 164 kills with 33 blocks and sophomore MB/RS Morgann Turnage has 236 kills, 28 blocks and 139 digs. Henley hopes its 2-0 win over Marist Catholic to open the season on Aug. 29 carries over to Nov. 6 in Coos Bay. Henley is 0-3 against other tournament teams, two losses to Cascade Christian and one to Valley Catholic.

3A

No. 1 Burns (26-2 overall, 10-0 Eastern Oregon, first place) vs. No. 8 Coquille (19-4 overall, 14-0 Far West, first place)

Burns last appearance (state titles): 2025 (8)

Coquille last appearance (state titles): 2024 (none)

The Hilanders are on a quest for state title No. 9 with a return trip to Coos Bay. They’re led by Eastern Oregon Player of the Year Bailey Temple, a senior libero who has 483 digs and 99 aces this season. Doing the attacking is junior OH Megan Weil with 394 kills, along with 190 digs and 51 aces. She’s also a two-time state champion in girls wrestling and looking for a third this winter. Joining Weil at the net and on the All-Eastern Oregon first-team is senior OH Amaya Ballard with her 278 kills and 208 digs. Sophomore Baileigh Nisbet is the setter with 815 assists and 129 digs, earning herself a first-team nod as well. Senior DS Natalee Otley-Smith rounds out the Hilanders first-teamers with 149 digs and 45 aces this season. Burns is 4-1 against state tournament teams, including a 3-0 run through a Santiam Christian tournament against Catlin Gabel, Dayton and Westside Christian. The lone loss was 2-0 defeat to Dayton at a tournament hosted by Sisters.

The Red Devils are back at state after a one-year blip last season. They boast three hitters with over 200 kills in freshman Vivian Westgaard (272), sophomore Peyton Duey (259) and junior Bristol Layton (220). Duey also leads the team in blocks and aces with 34 and 79, respectively. Senior Peyton Drake is big in the back row with 385 digs to lead the team, along with 60 aces. She also has the top serve/receive rating with a 2.3 on 514 attempts. Coquille is 1-1 against state tournament states, taking down Creswell in five sets on Sept. 3 and falling to Santiam Christian 3-1 on Sept. 24.

No. 4 Sisters (18-6 overall, 7-3 Mountain Valley, second place) vs. No. 5 Creswell (20-6 overall, 10-0 Mountain Valley, first place)

Sisters last appearance (state titles): 2025 (7)

Creswell last appearance (state titles): 2023 (none)

The Outlaws are one of the most decorated small schools in Oregon working their way back to state under first-year head coach Jason Monaghan. Sophomore OH Maici Cotner is the top threat at the net with 282 kills this year, joined up there by junior Josta Fuentes with 192 kills. The two get it done in the back row as well with 269 digs for Cotner and 194 for Fuentes, the latter being an All-Mountain Valley first-teamer. Also on that first-team is senior libero Alli Fogarty with her team-high 381 digs, and senior MB Brooke Lindsay with her 150 kills, 37 blocks and 30 aces. Look out for senior MB Shanitah Few with 46 blocks and senior setter Paityn Cotner with 654 assists and 215 digs. The Outlaws also have German foreign exchange student Helene Voigt who had 139 kills and 173 digs before an ankle injury sidelined her. She could return for the state tournament, where Sisters will start against league rival Creswell. The two sides played four times this season with the Bulldogs taking three of the four.

The Bulldogs are back at state for the first time since 2023 behind the stellar play of Oregon bound senior Piper Hanson. The OH and Mountain Valley MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year has 649 kills this season, along with 72 aces, 540 digs, 19 blocks and a .326 hitting percentage. This team is more than just Hanson though as junior Marley Query has 408 kills herself with 78 aces and 308 digs, earning first-team All-Mountain Valley honors. Taylor Gubbs is a freshman setter looking to feed her big hitters with 875 assists and 177 digs in 2026. Senior captain Harper Artz works the back row with 214 digs and has 19 blocks at net. Creswell beat Sisters 3-1 in their two league matchups, and survived two weeks ago in the conference tournament final with a five-set win. The Outlaws did get them 2-0 in a tournament matchup back on Sept. 19 in Sisters. 

No. 3 Catlin Gabel (17-2 overall, 10-0 Coastal Range, first place) vs. No. 6 Westside Christian (18-7 overall, 8-0 Lewis & Clark, first place)

Catlin Gabel last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Westside Christian last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The Catlin Gabel Eagles are making another state tournament appearance after moving over and winning the Coastal Range League. Senior setter Maliha Rajan was the league’s Player of the Year as she led the Eagles in aces and assists while also being second on the team in kills. She’s committed to play next year at College of William and Mary. Senior setter Rose Hogan is also an all-league first-teamer where she is second on the team in assists and committed to Bryn Mawr College. Freshman Vivienne Schaaf led the team in kills and was named a first-teamer, and she’s also second in digs and third in aces. Junior libero Nina Perov leads in digs and senior RS Bella Trembley is third in kills and made second-team all-league. Former league opponents with Westside Christian, Catlin Gabel played WC in a nonleague matchup on Sept. 23 where Catlin took home the 3-1 win.

The Westside Christian Eagles are back at state under new management with Piper Hilgaertner, but saw similar results with winning the Lewis & Clark League. The Eagles have three all-league first-teamers in sophomore MB Eliana Dresser, senior OH/DS Simms Todd and junior MB Brooke Postma. Junior setter Finley Rigwald made the second-team. Westside hopes to avenge a 3-1 loss to its former league foe in Catlin Gabel suffered back on Sept. 23.

No. 2 Dayton (18-4 overall, 7-1 West Valley, first place) vs. No. 7 Santiam Christian (18-6 overall, 7-1 West Valley, second place)

Dayton last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Santiam Christian last appearance (state titles): 2024 (9)

The Pirates are the No. 2 seed and are looking for the first state title in program history in Coos Bay. Junior Gabby Chupp hopes to help them by swinging away at the net with her team-high 390 kills and 85 aces. She’s also got 27 blocks and 104 digs on the year. Senior setter Maddie Miguez will be the one getting Chupp the ball as Miguez has 799 assists this season, plus 48 aces. Junior MB Kalysta Summerlin is a two-way force at the net with 211 kills and a team-high 48 blocks, plus 62 aces from the back line. Sophomore Emmy Riley leads in digs with 157. Dayton battled it out with Santiam Christian for the West Valley title, splitting their regular season matchups before the Pirates won 3-1 on Oct. 24 in the district tournament. 

The Eagles come to Coos Bay and will have a familiar first opponent, but they’ll have the West Valley Player of the Year in sophomore MB Sydney Ball. She has 261 kills, 73 blocks, 34 aces and a .345 hitting percentage in 2026. Senior OH Brynna Worden is the “heart of the team” according to West Valley Coach of the Year Jill Riddle, thanks in part to her 220 kills, 236 digs and 30 aces. Anisa Green is another senior at MB with 236 kills and 51 blocks, and is the team’s best server. Amelia Riddle is a freshman and the daughter of coach Riddle, she’s made 217 digs this fall. Santiam Christian has a win over Dayton, as well as other tournament teams in Westside Christian, Creswell and Coquille.

2A

No. 1 Heppner (22-2 overall, 8-0 Blue Mountain, first place) vs. No. 9 St. Paul (17-10 overall, 13-1 Tri-River, second place)

Heppner last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

St. Paul last appearance (state titles): 2025 in 1A (2)

The Mustangs return to La Grande in search of the program’s first title as the No. 1 seed. They have a two-headed attack between junior MB/DS Isa Payne with 272 kills and sophomore MB Catherine Lindsay with 222 kills, both named to the All-Blue Mountain first-team. They’re both also the leaders in blocks with Lindsay posting 56 and Payne posting 40, the latter of which also has a team-high 440 digs and 40 aces. Senior setter Maya Payne is also an all-league first-teamer with 513 assists, 103 kills and 200 digs. Junior libero CiCi Stefani is another vital piece in the back row with 341 digs. Heppner hasn’t played St. Paul this year, but did beat No. 5 seed Weston-McEwen three times in league and has a loss to No. 2 Imbler.

The Buckaroos moved up to 2A this year after making the quarterfinals in 1A a season ago. Their strength lies in All-Tri-River first-team senior setter Lila Wolf with her 260 assists. Joining her on the first-team was Lola Hiller, a junior libero with 273 digs. Junior OH/DS Emery Williams made the second-team with 134 digs and Sienna Meza, a junior MB, is also on the second-team with 24 aces. For the senior class, this is their fourth trip to state during their prep time. As for the state tournament field, St. Paul has only played league foe Regis and dropped two of the three matches with them.

No. 4 Crane (22-5 overall, 12-0 Wapiti, second place) vs. No. 5 Weston-McEwen (17-5 overall, 6-2 Blue Mountain, second place)

Crane last appearance (state titles): 2025 in 1A (3)

Weston-McEwen last appearance (state titles): 2025 (3)

The Mustangs won a state title the past three years in 1A, and now they’re looking to do it again up in 2A. They’re led by Wapiti League Player of the Year in senior Kaitlyn Siegner, who is committed to Eastern Oregon for both volleyball and basketball. Joining her on the first-team is senior Kamryn Dunten, and senior Kendal Nichols made the second-team. Heppner went 3-1 against state tournament opponents, three of those being Imbler who it beat twice during league play, but fell to in the district tournament final. The other win was a 2-0 victory over Myrtle Point in the St. Paul Invitational.

The TigerScots are back at state and are looking to do some damage out of the No. 5 seed. They boast three All-Blue Mountain first-team players in senior OH Charlotte Hansell, senior setter Addy Hall and junior DS Bree Perkins. Hansell is an all-around impact with 357 kills, 282 digs, 31 aces and 13 blocks. Hall leads in assists with 576, but also has 231 digs and 47 digs on the year. Perkins leads the back row with 301 digs and has 21 aces. Senior Kayli Choin is a name to watch as well as an all-league second-teamer at MB. Weston-McEwen hasn’t played Crane, but did face league foe Heppner three times, dropping all three matches. The TigerScots also played No. 2 Imbler to begin the year, dropping that one in five sets.

No. 3 Myrtle Point (19-2 overall, 9-1 Sunset, first place) vs. No. 6 Clatskanie (19-3 overall, 10-0 Northwest, first place)

Myrtle Point last appearance (state titles): 2025 (1)

Clatskanie last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The Bobcats bring back four returning starters from their 2025 team that made the state tournament. Senior OH Taelyn Farmer is a part of that group where she leads the team in digs and aces, and sits second in kills. Sophomore MB Delaney La Franchi has stepped up big this season with her confidence, pushing her to become the team lead in kills and blocks. Senior Lauryn Lively moved to a new role as a setter in the 6-2 offense and leads the team in assists. Senior Mary Beth Broer moved from opposite to outside hitter and has been vital to the defense on the left side and as a front row hitter. Sophomore Abby Sproul has a high kill percentage and junior Addison Hittner provides a different look at OH. Myrtle Point is 1-1 against tournament opponents, taking down No. 6 Clatskanie back on Sept. 19 2-1 in a tournament match and falling to Crane 0-2 the next day in the same tournament.

The Tigers made it all the way to the state title match last year before falling to Crosshill Christian, so they hope to do one better in 2026. Senior MB Lacey Willis is the Northwest League Player of the Year with her 305 kills, 35 blocks 29 aces and 121 digs in 19 matches. She’s committed to Eastern Oregon for next year. Senior setter Addy Compton has been supplying Willis with 555 assists this season along with 49 aces and 148 digs, earning all-league first-team honors. Other first-teamers include senior libero McKinsey Doyle with 268 digs and 25 aces, and senior OH Olivia George with 200 kills and 14 aces. Clatskanie will be a relative unknown having only played one team in the tournament field, a 2-1 loss to Myrtle Point on Sept. 19.

No. 2 Imbler (22-5 overall, 10-2 Wapiti, first place) vs. No. 7 Regis (20-3 overall, 12-2 Tri-River, first place)

Imbler last appearance (state titles): 2025 in 1A (3)

Regis last appearance (state titles): 2010 (none)

The Panthers are back in 2A and are in search of the program’s fourth state title, which would be their first at this level. They have three impact players who have been varsity contributors since their freshmen year and all made first-team All-Wapiti this season. Junior setter Whittney Haddock is one of them with 934 assists in 2026. Senior OH Isla Howard has 348 kills and senior OH Jeytt Cant has 257 kills. “Much of our team's success can be attributed to these three outstanding volleyball athletes,” Imbler head coach Jennifer Teeter said. “Each year throughout their high school careers, they have held starting varsity roles and helped lead their teams to successful postseason playoff runs, winning three consecutive district championships and finishing as state runners-up last season.” Junior libero Olivia Haddock has 419 digs this season and freshman MB Brymlee Morehead has 248 kills, putting them on the all-league second-team. Imbler lost to Crane twice in league play before winning the district tournament over the Mustangs. The Panthers also beat Weston-McEwen to start the year and have a 3-1 win over Heppner.

The Rams are one of the biggest state tournament drought breakers this season, returning to the final eight for the first time since 2010. Sophomore Lexi Lulay is a big reason why as the Tri-River Player of the Year with 396 kills, 311 digs and 62 aces. Freshman Hannah Castillo made the all-league first-team with 387 assists, 151 kills, 155 digs and 56 aces. Junior Adrianna Gilmore was an honorable mention with 284 digs. Regis’ only matchup with a tournament team was league opponent St. Paul, who the Rams went 2-1 against and won the district tournament over.

1A

No. 1 Central Christian (23-4, 8-0 Mountain Valley, first place) vs. No. 9 Open Door Christian (21-4 overall, 8-2 Valley 10, first place)

Central Christian last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Open Door Christian last appearance (state titles): Never (none)

The Tigers have become a volleyball hot bed on the girls and boys side, but now they’re looking to cement it with their first state title in any sport. Senior OH/S Joslynn Terry was named the Mountain Valley Player of the Year with 329 kills and 319 digs. She’s committed to play beach volleyball next year at Corban. Senior OH Stella Adams made the first-team with 316 kills and 397 digs. Getting them the ball is sophomore setter Rosie Miracle with 661 assists and a second-team appearance, and was joined by senior libero Olivia Milichichi on the second-team. Central Christian is 5-1 against tournament opponents, including three wins over league foe North Lake. The Tigers also split two matchups with No. 2 Dufur and beat No. 5 Damascus Christian.

The Huskies are making program history with their first trip ever to the state tournament, thanks to a road win in round two. Senior MB Elizabeth Volodkin is one of three players to make the All-Valley 10 first-team behind her team-high 187 kills, along with 61 aces and 17.5 blocks. Senior MB/OH Jenna Hill and junior OH/S Giana Wolcott are the other two on the first-team with Hill posting 153 kills and 124 digs and Wolcott posting 146 kills, 94 aces and 219 digs. The team also won the league’s sportsmanship award and head coach Dara Wolcott was named Coach of the Year. The only tournament team Open Door has played is league foe Damascus Christian, who it went 1-3 against with the win coming last in the Valley 10 district tournament title game.

No. 4 North Lake (17-5 overall, 6-2 Mountain Valley, second place) vs. No. 5 Damascus Christian (21-4 overall, 10-0 Valley 10, second place)

North Lake last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

Damascus Christian last appearance (state titles): 2022 (1)

The Cowgirls return an experienced roster from last year’s state tournament team and hope to make a deep run in 2026. Senior setter Emma Baker and junior setter Viktoria Baker both made the All-Mountain Valley first-team. Emma had 370 assists, 178 digs and 20 blocks while Viktoria had 256 assists, 160 kills, 197 digs and 59 aces. Senior MB Acacia Roth led the team in blocks with 41 and posted 147 kills and 141 digs, getting her to the second-team. Senior MB Dillynn Puckett joined her on the second-team with 128 kills, 33 blocks and a team-high 75 aces. North Lake only played Central Christian when it comes to tournament opponents, dropping all three matches. 

The Eagles are back at state for the first time since winning it all in 2022 and hope to leave La Grande with another blue trophy. Junior Maddie Searls is an all-around star with a team-high in kills (191) and digs (173). She also has 37 aces and has the highest serve and second highest serve-receive percentages. Sophomore Miley Foley is right behind with 147 kills and 110 digs, plus a team-best 27 blocks. Freshman Taylor Russau is the setter with 258 assists on 820 attempts with only 1 ball-handling error. Sophomore Emmy Rasmussen leads in digs with 164. Damascus Christian went 3-1 against Open Door, and also has a win over No. 6 Joseph.

No. 3 Sherman (21-3 overall, 10-1 Big Sky, second place) vs. No. 6 Joseph (25-4 overall, 10-0 Old Oregon, first place)

Sherman last appearance (state titles): 2005 in 2A (none)

Joseph last appearance (state titles): 2025 (none)

The Huskies are at state for the first time in 21 years when they made it in the 2A bracket. Senior Kiara Peters is a versatile player who makes an impact all over the court with her 198 kills, 242 assists, 114 aces and 131 digs. “She is a player everyone wants on their team because she will give 100% every day for her team, herself and her coaches,” Sherman head coach Kayci Sharp said. Peters made the All-Big Sky first-team and was joined there by sophomore Chloe Simpson, another versatile player who had 196 kills, 115 digs, 60 aces and 11 blocks. Senior Dulce Anaya is the third first-teamer at libero where she has 109 digs and 43 aces. Kaileigh Kopczynski was an honorable mention as well for the Huskies. “This year we have really focused on the team culture and putting the team first. This has been an incredible group to get to work with this year, and I am just so proud of each and everyone of the girls on the roster,” Sharp said. Sherman played No. 2 Dufur twice this year in league, dropping both matches, and also split games with Echo and picked up a win over Joseph in five sets on Aug. 27.

The Eagles return to the state tournament in search of their first state crown. Powering them is junior libero Ashlee Meyers, who was named the Old Oregon League Player of the Year. Sophomore setter Rylee Meyers and sophomore MB Alia Harmon were also named to the All-Old Oregon first-team alongside Ashlee Meyers. “As a coach, one of the things I am most proud of with this group is how well these girls have come together. They are a young team, and while they may still be gaining experience, they understand that success comes from working together,” Joseph head coach Jill Hite said. Joseph has a loss to Dufur and Damascus Christian on its record, but take out No. 7 Echo twice during league and district tournament play.

No. 2 Dufur (21-3 overall, 12-0 Big Sky, first place) vs. No. 7 Echo (21-7 overall, 9-1 Old Oregon, second place)

Dufur last appearance (state titles): 2014 (4)

Echo last appearance (state titles): 2021 (quarterfinals held at higher seed campus) (none)

The Rangers are breaking a 12-year drought from the state tournament with this season’s appearance and are chasing state title No. 5. Big Sky Player of the Year Cadence Young, a senior MB, crossed 1,000 career kills this season and she holds the 1A career aces record with 395 to her name. Joining her on the All-Big Sky first-team are senior MB Hailee Pechanec and senior setter Ainslee Eiesland. Senior OH Miranda Prettyman made the second-team. Dufur went 4-1 against state tournament opponents, which includes two wins over No. 3 Sherman and a 2-0 win over No. 1 Central Christian in a tournament hosted by Ridgeview. The one loss was a five-set drop to Central Christian on Sept. 12.

No response from Echo.