This week’s Notebook focuses primarily on first-year players making a deep impact on their varsity teams, a category we call…
Fresh faces
Ali Barnhart, 5-5 libero, Toledo – A vocal leader on and off the court, Barnhart was nominated to be captain of her varsity team as a freshman! She is a rising star who gives maximum effort on the court and in the classroom.
Alivia Bryan, 6-0 S, Trinity Lutheran – A tall setter on a 2A team, Bryan’s height and athleticism at the net create problems for opposing defenses and options for an offense to attack on the second or third contact. Bryan reads overpasses and the other side of the net well for a young player and shows off a lethal serve that leads the team in aces as well as serving efficiency.
Adelaide Cooley, libero, Cleveland – A take charge player, Cooley is a consistent passer with a knack for bettering every ball.
Jordyn Copeland, 5-8 OH, Salem Academy – Copeland is a great complement on the left to superstar junior Emma Brewer and gives the Crusaders a fearsome 1-2 punch on the left pin. Copeland has eclipsed 100 kills on the year, second only to Brewer on the team; and also is filling up the stat sheet to the tune of 90 digs and 35 aces.
Kennedy Dent, 5-6 S/RS, Mannahouse Christian Academy (Eugene) – Dent jumped into a new position when her team needed her and continues to grow both in skills and confidence.
Molly Fry, 6-0 MB/RS, Clackamas – Fry is a versatile and fundamentally sound hitter with a massive block and a fearless attack. Playing as a starter on a senior and junior dominated team, she is showing skills and temperament beyond her years as an impact player for the Cavaliers.
Victoria Keller, 5-1 libero, Oakridge – A hard worker, Keller has lent consistency to Oakridge’s back court, both as a passer and digger. So far this season she leads the Warriors in digs and has a 95% serve completion with 114 varsity serves under her belt.
Isabelle Limoges, 5-8 DS, Trinity Lutheran – “Izzy” has made a major impact on the 3-4 Saints, scoring with consistently tough serving as well as passing effectively to jump start the offense. “She has an endless supply of energy, which is crucial on defense, and she is determined not to let any balls hit the floor,” noted head coach Kristin Bryan. “Having a tall DS allows for aggressive hitting from the back row, which is extremely beneficial to the team.”
Eliza Lorhman, 5-5 DS/libero, Sprague – Lorhman uses her quickness to chase down everything in the back row and her fiery personality picks everyone up. She reads so well for such a young player that the team is uplifted knowing that she’s on the court and can get the job done.
Bayler Mulrony, 5-6 MB, Bickleton – Mulrony has made huge contributions in the back row for the Pirates. Her ability to consistently return tough serves has given the offense more chances to score. “Bayler is a silent leader on the court, but consistently pushing her teammates to be their best,” said coach Katie Moore.
Osa Olsgaard, 5-8 OH, Grant – A great athlete with fast arm and impressive leap, Olsgaard has a huge ceiling as a dynamic six-rotation player. She boasts a high volleyball I.Q. and can swing from anywhere on the court.
Tatum Richmond, 5-2 DS, Crater – A starter on a senior-dominant 5-2 5A team, Richmond has been a strong defensive force who leads the Comets in aces every match.
Magdalyn Rogers, 5-6 S, Horizon Christian (Hood River) – Rogers is a wonderful example of natural talent combined with hard work, noted coach Angelique Garrett. Rogers sets in a 6-2 offense for the Hawks and also is a consistent server and effective front row player on the right side.
Sophia Saso, 5-4 OH, Seaside – Saso is a six-rotation player who is quick on defense and exhibits superior control of her offensive placement. She leads the Seagulls in kills through the first nine matches of the season.
Addie Seely, 5-9 OH, McNary – A six-rotation player, Seely stats as a top-three contributor on the Celtics in serve-receive passing, hitting efficiency and aces. “She’s joined our team and made an immediate, positive impact on the entire program,” said coach Crystal Ayres.
Taimane (Mane) Sulages, 5-8 RS, La Salle Prep – Sulages is a lefty on the right side with the ability to dominate on either pin. She has a powerful arm, is an impact server and an asset in serve-receive as well. “We aren't playing her in her true position as a setter yet,” noted coach Julie Taylor Palmer. “She is truly a five-tool player and we are thrilled at her development so far and upside for the future.”
Karli Vannoy, 6-0 MB, Wilsonville – Vannoy is an athletic middle blocker who has the ability to produce points in a variety of ways and is a capable blocker. She has great court awareness and a nose for the ball. Her tough serve is an asset and she also is a capable backrow defender.
Megan Weil, 5-11 MB/RS, Burns -- Weil is making a huge impact for the 12-3 Hilanders through her powerful athleticism, and competitive mindset. Coach Paula Toney said that the freshman “has fearless energy on the court that creates big moments.” She has earned more than 50 kills in her first month of high school volleyball.
Kenzee Workman, 5-7 S, North Marion – A Day 1 starter at setter, Workman leads the Huskies in assists and is growing into a strong leader on the court.
Rylee Workman, 5-7 RS/OH, Prairie City / Burnt River – Workman was instrumental in leading the Panthers over touch Adrian on Saturday. The six-rotation youngster had five kills, served perfectly, was a beast in serve-receive, contributed a stuff block and had four assists in the league sweep.
Chase Zanon, 6-0 MB, Catlin Gabel – Another big target in the middle for the Eagles, Zanon has a cannon for an arm, great blocking instincts, and a reliably tough serve. “She balances our offense well,” said coach Jeanette Lee, “but more than anything, she's a great teammate, who brings energy and passion to every play.”
More important than wins and losses…
North Lake is 10-2 on the year, so there has been a lot of winning in Silver Lake this fall.
Something happened last Tuesday that created smiles broader than any win on the court.
Before the home match with Crosspoint Christian, North Lake’s players got lined up, as usual, like they were preparing for the announcement of the starting lineups. The girls all wore blue ribbons in support of Athletic Director Jim Missel, who is battling prostate cancer. They were making a statement that he would beat the disease.
There weren’t a lot of dry eyes in the gym at the show of love and support, including Missel himself, who is a teacher, coach and administrator at the school.
Sister, sister (sister)!
St. Paul, which is 9-2 on the season, has three Cavazos sisters on its varsity roster. Amelia Cavazos is an outside hitter and senior captain. Amanda Cavazos is a sophomore outside hitter and Annie Cavazos is a freshman setter.
“All three have really pushed each other this season to improve,” said coach Les Hiller. “They have a great sibling relationship with each other and it has been great to watch their growth this season.”
News and notes
Central Christian won its own Tiger Classic on Saturday. The 1A Tigers defeated 2A Culver for the title. That makes two tournament titles in as many weeks for Central Christian…
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South Medford won two conference matches last week over Roseburg and Sheldon. The Panthers are coming on strong behind setter Julia Slaughter and hitters Julia Mitchell and Mayenabasi Akpan.
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Last week was a good week for Wilsonville volleyball. On Tuesday the Wildcats handed Centennial its first loss of the season. Three players, Emma Fauth, Lana Gillas and Teagan Hamilton had more than 10 kills, libero Liv Clark collected 19 digs and setter Ellis Underhill dished out 40 assists and added four blocks in the total team effort.
Two days later, Scott Thompson’s team swept past another good Northwest Oregon Conference team, Hood River Valley. Mia Rucker’s five aces and five digs were a highlight.
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Jesuit stayed unbeaten on the year by handing foes Sunset and Westview their first Metro League losses last week.
Jada Johnson and Sadie Ross combined for 45 kills in the Sunset win, while the Crusaders overcame a slow start to sweep Westview thanks to a whopping 52 aces combined from Jackie Carle and Hayden McGehee.
Jesuit has yet to drop a set this season. The Crusaders will head to the Nike Tournament of Champions – Southwest in early April. The last time they were there, they won the whole thing!
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Two days before it lost to Jesuit, Westview got a terrific four-set win over Sprague. Sophomore libero Mady Leback dominated the back row with 27 digs and eight assists while passing a 2.28. Sophomore middle Ashlyn Pedersen piled up 22 kills, six digs and three blocks and also passed above a 2.0. Senior setter Aya Pantell reached double figures in assists and digs.
On the weekend, Westview went 4-0 to win its own tournament. The Wildcats swept St. Mary’s Academy in the championship match.
Here’s outlookin’ at ya!
Want to see your team here? Varsity head coaches may fill out our form at this link: https://osaa.wufoo.com/forms/z4cyr8e1od4g0i/
Creswell coach Anna Baltrusch did so to tell us about her Bulldogs, who have started 7-5 in 3A this fall. Creswell has 22-10 a year ago and made the state tournament but graduated eight seniors. The Bulldogs, who have participated in every state tournament since 2006, are starting 2024 with essentially a brand new team. They return 5-7 sophomore OH Piper Hanson, an All-Conference pick; and 5-10 sophomore middle Anna Davis, but many on this young and talented team will be getting their first extended varsity time. Baltrusch said that her squad is improving every week and determined to keep that state tournament streak alive.
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Crater won 22 matches last year and placed fifth at the 5A state tournament. The Comets are 5-2 to start 2024 and are 3-0 in conference play.
The team is centered around its five seniors, including OH Callie Aplin, who leads Crater in kills and digs; and MB Alexa Gugliotta, an unstoppable force at the net and the returning Midwestern League POY. Senior Lanie Snow is the team blocks leader, senior Danica Huntoon is a southpaw who dominates from the right and senior Delaney Henke is making a name for herself by being a strong hitter on the left.
Two juniors also are making a significant impact for Crater, junior setter Kendall Stidham, one of the team’s captains; and libero Carsyn Hillyer, who is following in the footsteps of last year’s league Libero of the Year Joslyhn Pope.
All together, there are 14 players on the roster and, said coach Tiffany Booth, “all 14 players have done an incredible job each bringing something important to the court.”
Single-match stat stars
We have been asking coaches on our bulk email list to help compile a list of astounding single-game statistical achievements! We will keep a running tally of players who stat at these levels for a single match:
50 assists or more in a match
25 kills or more in a match
30 digs or more in a match
8 blocks or more in a match
10 aces or more in a match
Here’s what we have so far…
50 or more assists in a match
54 – Abby Maulding, 5-9 Jr. S, La Salle Prep (5A) – Sept. 12 versus Canby
25 or more kills in a match
35 -- Avery Herber, 6-2 Soph. OH, Western Christian (2A) – Sept. 5 versus Crosshill Christian
32 -- Mayenabasi Akpan, 6-3 Jr. OH/MB, South Medford (6A) – Sept. 4 versus Foothill (Palo Cedro)
30 – Audra Rose, 6-3 Sr. MB, St. Paul (1A) – Aug. 31 versus Culver
29 -- Mayenabasi Akpan, 6-3 Jr. OH/MB, South Medford (6A) – Sept. 17 versus Roseburg
28 – Tatum Montiel, 5-11 Sr. Oh, Marshfield (4A) – Aug. 30 versus Cascade
27 -- Akylah Kaino, 6-1 Sr. OH, Burns (3A) – Sept. 10 versus Pendleton
27 -- Mayenabasi Akpan, 6-3 Jr. OH/MB, South Medford (6A) – Sept. 4 versus Chico
27 -- Mayenabasi Akpan, 6-3 Jr. OH/MB, South Medford (6A) – Sept. 19 versus Sheldon
26 – Hayley Schaaf, 6-3 Jr. MB, Catlin Gabel (3A) – Sept. 7 versus Amity
26 – Audra Rose, 6-3 Sr. MB, St. Paul (1A) – Aug. 30 versus Central Christian
26 – Allison Waechter, 6-0 Jr. OH, Sutherlin (3A) – Sept. 12 versus Harrisburg
26 – Josie Essner, 5-10 Sr. MB, Monroe (2A) – Sept. 7 versus Oakridge
30 or more digs in a match
34 -- Lindsey Arritola, 5-4 Jr. OH, Blanchet Catholic (3A) – Sept. 5 versus Scio
31 -- Coley Gibbs, 5-7 Jr. OH, Pilot Rock / Ukiah (1A) – Sept. 21 versus Cove
30 -- Nadia Gremar, 5-6 Jr. OH, Knappa (2A) – Sept. 10 versus Vernonia
8 or more blocks in a match
9 – Lydia Grassman, 5-10 Jr. OH, Franklin (6A) – Sept. 3 versus Liberty
9 – Braeli Martin, 6-0 Sr. MB, West Salem (6A) – Sept. 3 versus South Salem
8 – Audra Rose, 6-3 Sr. MB, St. Paul (1A) – Aug. 30 versus Central Christian
8 – Addyson Clark, 5-11 Sr. MB, Sutherlin (3A) – Sept. 12 versus Harrisburg
10 or more aces in a match
14 – Catherine Chang, 5-7 RS/S, Westview (6A) – Sept. 12 versus Aloha
13 – Bella Slattum, 5-8 Sr. S, West Salem (6A) – Sept. 5 versus North Salem
11 -- Callie Turner, 5-4 Sr. S, Century (6A) – Sept. 12 versus Liberty
11 -- Callie Turner, 5-4 Sr. S, Century (6A) – Sept. 3 versus Southridge
11 – Alyssa Baird, 5-11 Sr. Oh, Portland Christian (2A) – Sept. 19 versus Gaston
Coaches may email [email protected] to add to the list at any time. Please replicate the format seen above.
College-Bound!
In this space, we list those players, in the current senior class and younger, who have made a commitment to attend a college or university of their choice and play volleyball.
Here’s who we have so far. We will add to this list in subsequent notebooks as we receive notifications.
Ava Ainsworth, 6-1 Sr. S, Marshfield – Western Oregon University
Addy Azavedo, 5-7 Sr. libero, Jesuit -- Washington
Madi Andrews, 6-1 Jr. OH, Nelson – Michigan State
Taelyn Bentley, 5-11 Sr. MB, South Albany – South Florida
Mylee Blake, 6-1 Sr. OH, West Albany -- Montana
Katie Brewer, 6-1 Sr. MB, Centennial - Portland State
Jackie Carle, 5-7 Sr. S/DS, Jesuit – Washington State
Giana Elgarico, 5-11 Sr. OH Marist Catholic – University of Oregon
Joya Euhus, 6-1 Sr. OH, Santiam Christian -- Houston Christian University
Emma Fauth, 6-0 Sr. OH, Wilsonville – Humboldt State
Cheyenne Green, 6-1 Sr. OH, Pleasant Hill – Oregon State
Bailey Henderson, 5-4 Sr. libero, Century -- Pacific University
Hayden McGehee, 5-7 Sr. S, Jesuit – Belmont
Kamden Mitchell, 5-10 Sr. S, Crescent Valley -- University of Oregon
Evie Morrissette, 6-0 Sr. S, Sprague – Seattle University
Audra Rose, 6-2 Sr. MB, St. Paul – Seattle Pacific University
Avalynn Roundy, 6-2 Sr. MB, Marist Catholic -- Grand Canyon University
Hayley Schaaf, 6-3 Jr. MB, Catlin Gabel -- Northwestern
Steel Sinai, 6-4 Sr. MB, Westview -- Temple University
Paige Thies, 6-2 Sr. OH, Oregon City -- University of Arizona
Email [email protected] to add commitments to the list. Please replicate the format you see above.
