Caldera digs out of the hole
On Friday, when the 2024 OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union Volleyball State Championships get underway at four separate sites from Coos Bay/North Bend to Redmond to Forest Grove, one team will step onto the court that did not exist five years ago. That same team was 7-17 last year and finished next-to-last in its league, but improved to 14-9 this season, good enough to be the No. 7 seed in all of 5A.
Meet the Caldera Wolfpack, perhaps the most surprising of the 48 teams vying for six state championship trophies this weekend.
Head coach Alicia Roe Rudloff has been there for all of it. She came over from 2017 state champion Bend, where she was the JV coach for a decade; and oversaw a Caldera program that played a JV schedule in 2021, when the school first opened, with just freshmen and sophomores on the roster. The Wolfpack took their lumps as a varsity squad one year later, winning just two matches in the Intermountain Conference and going 4-17 overall.
Rudloff said that the team had a great energy about it despite losing so often.
“Knowing we were underdogs, our goals were different,” she explained. “They were to ‘get this many blocks against this team’ or “‘take a set off of this team’ or ‘make this many defensive plays.’ We had such good energy that it never felt like we were losing. We often came off the court and had teams thinking we won because of how happy and positive we were.”
In 2023, Caldera had seniors for the first time. The Wolfpack won only three league matches, and just seven overall, but they started taking sets off of elite teams. With that came motivation and determination.
“The girls spent this spring and summer putting in more work than we ever had,” Rudloff said. “We ran as many open gyms, did conditioning and weight lifting together as much as we could. They had goals to hit and I was willing to help them get there any way that I could.”
Success was coming and Rudloff sensed it. So, too, did the team.
“When we showed up to Team Camp this year, it felt different,” the coach said. “They demanded greatness from each other and had such positive mindsets and gave constant reminders to each other of their goals.”
Caldera started this season off hot. The Wolfpack was 7-2, with wins over recent state champions Sheldon, Sisters and Ridgeview, heading into their match with Bend, the 2023 5A state runner up. Caldera had never before taken so much as a set off of the Lava Bears until it won both the second and third sets after losing a close Game 1. Bend rarely loses a league match, but the Wolfpack players started to believe that they could pull off the upset. Caldera lost the fourth set, but won the final set, 15-7, to send a buzz through the town.
Caldera had arrived!
The Wolfpack defeated every school in the league at least once this year and qualified for the 5A playoffs for the first time in program history.
“Our goal was always playoffs,” Rudloff explained. “We just wanted to make it top 3 in our very tough league and get to that first round playoff position. When we saw we had gotten North Eugene we were a little nervous, having lost to them at a South Eugene tournament in 2 sets. But it was early in the season and we had become a much different team. We watched a lot of film on ourselves and on them and found ways to make changes to go out and take this game.”
Caldera won a five-set dogfight. Not only were the Wolfpack a playoff team, they were a state tournament team!
“I cannot tell you how proud this group of girls are for each other,” Rudloff said. “And how hardworking. On long weeks, we’d offer a Friday practice off to rest – having had no breaks – but the girls would come back and say, ‘No.’ They wanted to keep training as much as possible, even when us coaches really thought they could use the break.
“The other teams going into this state tournament are truly remarkable and we are excited to go out there and give them our best. This is so huge for our program. It’s been hard for us to feel deserving of a win because we haven’t known how to. But we finally feel like that. And we are ready to rumble!”
***
Three other teams are playing at State after having missed the playoffs altogether last year with records under .500.
Corvallis, another 5A team, was 7-12 in 2023. The Spartans won State in 2018 and were a strong program until COVID hit. When athletics re-booted, most of the experienced players left the program, necessitating a complete rebuild and a few lean years until this one.
Henley, in 4A, was 4-13 last fall, the fewest wins in school history. The Hornets, who last won the Skyline Conference title in 2021, missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2019, but rebounded to go 17-3 this year with a young roster that features three freshmen and just one senior.
Weston-McEwen, a 2A school, went 9-16 in 2023. When current head coach Marie Cain played for the TigerScots, they placed among the top four for three consecutive seasons. No player on the current roster had tasted playoff success before this year, when the 12th-seeded team, which entered the playoffs on the heels of three straight losses to close the regular season; stunned Trinity Lutheran on the road, 3-0, to make their State Tournament dreams a reality.
When there’s a Wilson there’s a way
Every team would like to have a “name” coach. 3A Coquille and 2A Heppner have that. In this case, it’s the same name: Mindi Wilson (or Mindy Wilson when the vowel at the end is “sometimes Y”).
While it’s highly unusual to have two state tournament coaches out of 48 sharing the same name, there isn’t much more to it than that. Both Mindi Wilson of Coquille, which is located in the southwest part of Oregon near Coos Bay; and Mindy Wilson of Heppner, which is located in the northeastern part of the state near Pendleton; acquired their surnames through marriage to Wilson men who are unrelated to, and do not know, one another. Both are in their 40s, graduated from the schools where they now coach and had daughters also play sports at their alma maters. Both also started coaching at the junior high level before ascending to their current varsity head coaching positions.
Mindi and Mindy have never met, nor have they ever coached against one another.
There is at least one interesting connection, though.
In 2019, Coquille and Heppner played in the 2A state championship basketball game. And Mindi’s daughter, Drew, played against Mindy’s daughter, Sydney. Coquille led most of the game, often by double digits, before Heppner rallied for the 41-40 win, behind Player of the Game Sydney Wilson, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds, both team highs.
Incidentally, I covered that game for OSAAtoday and interviewed Sydney after Heppner won state for the first time in 33 years.
“I can’t believe this is real,” she said. “This is very exciting.”
Below, we take a brief look at each of the 48 championship hopefuls.
6A (Forest Grove HS, Forest Grove)
Grant
Current official record: 26-5
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Jesuit
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 0-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: never
Last state tournament appearance: never
2023 state finish: Lost, round 2, to Jesuit
Players to watch: Maggie McCarthy, 5-8 Sr. S/OH; An Roesinger, 5-10 Sr. MB; Cecily Wagstaff, 6-0 Sr. RS
Head coach name: Erin Cole
Years at the school: 10
Jesuit
Current official record: 26-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Grant
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 6-0
All-time state titles: 8
Last state title: 2023
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Sadie Ross, 6-3 Jr. OH; Addy Azavedo, 5-4 Sr. libero; Jada Johnson, 5-11 Jr. MB; Iman Foster, 5-11 Jr. OH; Hayden McGehee, 5-7 Sr. S
Head coach name: Teresa Zimmerlee
Years at the school: 32
Nelson
Current official record: 23-4
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: West Linn
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: T-3
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 2-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Madi Andrews, 6-1 Jr. OH; Gabby Hill, 6-1 Sr. OH; Lainey Day, 6-0 Jr. MB; Kaitlin Boring, 5-7, Sr. S; Avi Trees, 5-5 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Lisa McBee
Years at the school: 4
Oregon City
Current official record: 21-6
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Westview
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 6-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Paige Thies, 6-2 Sr. OH; Phoebe Hyland, 5-7 Sr. S; Grace Landon, 5-8 Sr. RS
Head coach name: Erica Frajford
Years at the school: 7
South Salem
Current official record: 22-6
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Sprague
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: T-6
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 1-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 6th
Players to watch: Briella Mathis, 6-1 Jr. OH; Kamree Orizotti, 5-10 Jr. S; Nadiah Luna, 5-7 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Matt Leichty
Years at the school: 15
Sprague
Current official record: 23-6
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: South Salem
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: T-3
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 6-5
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Evie Morrissette, 6-0 Sr. S/RS, Brooke Friesen, 6-0 Soph. S/RS; Khloe Livingstone, 5-8 Soph. OH; Charlotte Ponier, 5-6 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Anne Olsen
Years at the school: 14
West Linn
Current official record: 17-8
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Nelson
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 3-5
All-time state titles: 5
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2021
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Roseburg
Players to watch: Allie Hawk, 5-10 Sr. S; Alexa Cornell, 5-9 Sr. OH; Amelia Haj, 5-9 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Kathy Walker
Years at the school: 1
Westview
Current official record: 23-6
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Oregon City
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Fall record versus 6A state tournament teams: 3-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: None
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7
Players to watch: Mady Lebeck, 5-5 Soph. Libero; Ashlyn Pedersen, 6-2 Soph. MB; Steel Sinai, 6-4 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Janelle Brandt
Years at the school: 8
Quarterfinals: Friday, 8 a.m. 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?
Grant is the first team from the PIL to make the state tournament since Lincoln in 2007. In 2021, the Generals hosted a first-round playoff game for the first time ever. In 2022, they won a playoff game for the first time ever. And, this year, Grant is making an appearance in the “State 8” for the first time ever. The opponent will be mighty Jesuit, which knocked the Generals out of the playoffs in Round 2 a year ago…The new millennium has been kind to Jesuit. Since 2004, the Crusaders have captured eight state titles, one win away from tying for the most in state history. Teresa Zimmerlee’s team is one of only two teams in the field ever to have won a state title. The defending state champions are undefeated in Oregon this season and favored to repeat behind a team filled with young attackers that Zimmerlee says is one of the most athletic teams she has ever had…Nelson is a four-year-old school making its third appearance at the State Tournament. The Hawks have finished third the previous two years and are led by junior outside hitter Madi Andrews, a Michigan State pledge who has starred on varsity from the first day of her freshman year. The State Tournament represents the final curtain for six seniors who helped create the foundation of success at Nelson. That includes setter Kaitlin Boring, an incredible musician who plays five instruments…Oregon City won the Three Rivers League title for the third time in a row in 2024, after not having won league previously since 1998. The Pioneers are led by outside hitter Paige Thies, an Arizona recruit and the reigning Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Not only do the Pioneers play smart on the court, they are smart off of it, boasting the highest cumulative GPA in 6A this year.
South Salem has never finished better than fourth at the State Tournament. The Saxons placed sixth a year ago and returned five All-Conference players. Matt Leichty’s team, which lost 13 times in 2023, more than halved that total this fall. Not only are South Salem’s players hungry for wins on the court, they are always hungry off of it. “Food may be this team’s largest budget item for the year,” Leichty said…Sprague announced its intention to contend this year when it won the Clearwater Classic at the end of the season. The Olympians have made the playoffs every year since coach Anne Olsen took over in 2010. They have won 16 league titles and currently have two players, Evie Morrissette and Brooke Friesen, who had sisters in the program and are now playing in college…West Linn is making its first appearance at State since winning it all in 2021. Kathy Walker was a JV coach for the Lions then and is the TRL Coach of the Year in 2024 in her first year presiding over the varsity bench. She has led West Linn to 17 wins so far this fall after the Lions prevailed just nine times in 2023…Westview is in the final eight for the third straight year. The Wildcats’ best players are sophomores, but they have an experienced roster with six seniors, including 6-4 middle blocker Steel Sinai, a Temple University recruit.
5A (Forest Grove HS, Forest Grove)
Bend
Current official record: 16-7
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Crater
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 2-3
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2017
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Lucy Schuller, 5-9 Sr. OH/S; Jasi Kjellesvik, 5-5 Sr. OH; Brooke Braude, 5-6 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Kristin Cooper
Years at the school: 18
Caldera
Current official record: 14-9
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Crescent Valley
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: never
2023 state finish: did not make playoffs
Players to watch: Kaialani Kelly, 5-8 Sr. RS; Ava Kailey, 5-8 Jr. S/RS; Avary Arment, 5-7 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Alicia Rudloff
Years at the school: 4
Churchill
Current official record: 18-4
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Wilsonville
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 2-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2013
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Summit
Players to watch: Nyah Mitchell, 5-11 Sr. OH; Rylee Bones, 5-7 Sr. OH; Rhianna Lane, 6-0 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Bre Gibbons
Years at the school: 6
Corvallis
Current official record: 15-6
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: South Albany
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 0-3
All-time state titles: 5
Last state title: 2018
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2023 state finish: did not make playoffs
Players to watch: Alexa Schnell, 5-7 Sr. S; Malique Sweet, 5-11 Sr. RS; Naiya Whitinger, 5-3 Soph. libero
Head coach name: Kari Morrow
Years at the school: 5
Crater
Current official record: 15-6
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Bend
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 0-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Alexa Gugliotta, 5-10 Sr. MB; Callie Aplin, 5-6 Sr. OH; Lanie Snow, 6-2 Sr., MB; Kendall Stidham, 5-8 Jr. S;
Head coach name: Tiffany Booth
Years at the school: 2
Crescent Valley
Current official record: 24-3
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Caldera
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 3-2
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2023
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Kam Mitchell, 5-10 Sr.. S; Bella Jacobson, 5-9 Sr. OH; Niana King, 6-1, Soph. MB
Head coach name: McKenna Smith
Years at the school: 1
South Albany
Current official record: 24-0
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Corvallis
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 5-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 6th
Players to watch: Maddie Angel, 5-6 Jr. libero; Taylor Donaldson, 5-11 Jr. OH; Taelyn Bentley, 6-0 Sr. MB, Klaire Bitter, 5-4 Sr. S; Audrey Webb, 5-10 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Kaela Wehrman
Years at the school: 4
Wilsonville
Current official record: 21-4
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Churchill
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus 5A state tournament teams: 0-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7
Players to watch: Emma Fauth, 6-0 Sr. OH; Ellis Underhill; 6-0 Sr. S; Lana Gillas, 6-1 Sr. RS
Head coach name: Scott Thompson
Years at the school: 4
Quarterfinals: Friday, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 2:15 pm
Saturday championship match: 8:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Bend has been in the “State 8” the past four years and finished as runner up in 2022 and 2023. The Lava Bears won the Intermountain Conference title for the fourth straight year and first since standout attacker Chloe LeLuge went off to Cal Poly SLO, where she has been an instant starter on a 15-8 team and ranks top four in kills and blocks. Speaking of Cal Poly, assistant coach Steve Schlick was once head coach at the university and coached Bend coach Kristin Cooper there when she was known as “Kristin Sigel.” Cooper is married to Kevin Cooper, Bend’s head football coach…Caldera is making its first-ever appearance at the State Tournament after finishing second to Bend in the Intermountain Conference. Wolfpack coach Alicia Roe Rudolf started the Caldera program four years ago after coaching the JV at Bend for 10 years. Caldera’s early-season win over Bend marked the first time they Wolfpack ever took a set off of the Lava Bears, let alone won the match! Churchill is making its first appearance in the “State 8” since appearing four straight years from 2010 to 2013. Current head coach Bre Gibbons was on the first three of those teams, including the 2012 team that finished second to West Albany. Gibbons was named Player of the Match. This year’s team went 12-0 to win the Midwestern League. Senior OH Nyah Mitchell was named league POY…Corvallis was decimated as a program after COVID, but head coach Kari Morrow and her staff have worked hard since to build a program that sustains itself year after year. Morrow’s coaching staff includes Nicole Gregg, the mother of Ryann Gregg, arguably the Spartans’ best player of all-time; Morrow’s husband, a strength and conditioning guy who brings a positive energy to the program; and Sydney Backer and Bailey Backer, daughters of former longtime and successful West Albany head coach Kelli Backer…
Crater is making its third straight appearance at the State Tournament and second under second-year head coach Tiffany Booth. The Comets are led by senior middle Alexa Gugliotta, an Oregon Tech recruit and a former Midwestern League POY…Two-time defending 5A champion Crescent Valley overcame the transfer of star middle Taelyn Bentley to South Albany and the departure of coach Troy Shorey for the collegiate ranks to make the State Tournament field as the second seed under first-year coach McKenna Smith. The Raiders’ best practices this year have been when Christmas music is playing…South Albany is the only team in all of Oregon to go undefeated during the regular season. The RedHawks dropped just two sets all season, both to 6A schools, and haven’t dropped a set in more than six weeks. This has been a truly historic season for the players and also for the coaches, who are all South Albany alumni. The team won league for the first time in 32 years and won the State Preview Tournament is hosts for the first time in its 35-year history...Wilsonville is in the State Tournament for the sixth year in a row. The Wildcats went 0-2 last year after finishing second twice and third once over the previous three state championship tournaments. This team last lost early in October and went undefeated through the Northwest Oregon Conference, prompting head coach Scott Thompson to say, “This team has improved as much or more than any team we’ve coached at Wilsonville.”
4A (North Bend HS, North Bend)
Cascade
Current official record: 13-7
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: Marshfield
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 3-3
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Irene Rocha Ibarra, 5-8 Jr. S; Kamryn Sande, 5-6 Sr. OH; Hailey Abundiz, 5-10 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Cristina Williams
Years at the school: 15
Crook County
Current official record: 23-6
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: The Dalles
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 8
Last state title: 2013
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7
Players to watch: Lilliemae Brumble, 5-7 Jr. MB; Paige Wood, 5-8 Soph. OH; Kendall Martinez, 5-6 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Makayla Lindburg
Years at the school: 1
Henley
Current official record: 17-3
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Marist Catholic
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 0-0
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2001
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2023 state finish: did not make playoffs
Players to watch: Khalia Cage, 5-6 Jr. RS; Hailey Paulson, 5-9 Soph. S; Makayla Schroeder, 5-10 Fr. MB
Head coach name: Sierra Patzke
Years at the school: 4
Marist Catholic
Current official record: 18-3
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Henley
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 4
Last state title: 2023
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Lauren Rohman, 6-0 Soph. S/RS; Giana Elgarico, 5-11 Sr. OH; Ava Roundy, 6-2 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Shari Pimental
Years at the school: 32
Marshfield
Current official record: 22-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Cascade
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 4-0
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Tatum Montiel, 5-11 Sr.. OH; Ava Ainsworth, 6-1 Sr. S; Alie Clarke, 5-6 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Tamie Montiel
Years at the school: 21
Pendleton
Current official record: 19-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Stayton
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 0-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2012
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to The Dalles
Players to watch: Josie Jenness, 5-6 Sr. S; Nicole Somnis, 5-8 Sr. OH; Avery Brown, 5-10 Jr. MB; Finley Evans, 5-3 Soph. libero
Head coach name: Jodi Primus
Years at the school: 5
Stayton
Current official record: 15-9
Tournament seed: 11
Quarterfinal opponent: Pendleton
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 10
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 0-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2001
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Mazama
Players to watch: Kathryn Samek, 6-1 Soph. OH; Kenzi Hollenbeck, 5-10 Sr. MB; Lania Atiyeh, 5-7 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Ruth Daniels
Years at the school: 4
The Dalles
Current official record: 17-6
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Crook County
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Fall record versus 4A state tournament teams: 1-1
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 1989
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7
Players to watch: Jazlynn Morris-Holmes, 5-10 Fr. OH; Laci Hoylman, 6-0 Sr. MB; Maddie Brock, 5-8 Sr. S
Head coach name: Teresa Morris
Years at the school: 2
Quarterfinals: Friday, 9 and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 6 and 8 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 1 p.m.
Saturday championship match: 6:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Cascade placed second in the state in 2022 and third in 2023 after winning it all in 2021. The Cougars are not a tall team, with one standing 5-10 and everyone else 5-8 or shorter. Coach Cristina Williams calls them “Snow White and the Nine Dwarfs,” adding, “We are tiny but mighty…” Crook County has matched Jesuit with eight state titles since the start of the millennium. The Cowgirls have a first-year coach in Makayla Lindburg, who was part of four state championship teams during her playing days. Lindburg played for legendary head coach Rosie Honl. She is now an assistant coach on Lindburg’s staff…Henley is at State for the first time since 2022. The Hornets won only four matches last year but have improved by 13 wins this fall heading into the tournament. The 14 players on varsity are more than volleyball players. Each participates in extracurricular activities outside of volleyball, such as Future farmers of America, 4H, rodeo, working at businesses in the community, playing other sports and doing rotations at the hospital. Head coach Sierra Patzke is herself a team roper in rodeo…Marist Catholic is the defending 4A state champions. The Spartans’ three losses this year have come against the top seeds in 4A and 3A. Head coach Shari Pimental has been with the team for 32 seasons, the last 26 of which have been with Ryan Moser and Dawn Barth as assistants. The team’s favorite warmup song is “Cotton Eye Joe,” which means we don’t know where they came from or where they’re going, do we?
Top-seeded Marshfield was favored to repeat as state champions in 2023 but was stunned by Marist Catholic in the championship match. The Pirates three superstars off of that team, but still managed to retain top-seed status and twice defeated the reigning champs during league play. This year’s team has four seniors, Tatum Montiel, Alie Clark, Ava Ainsworth and Analise McCord. They are all cousins and have been playing together since third grade…Pendleton suffered a blow when its head coach, the Greater Oregon League Coach of the Year in 2023; resigned right before the season began. The Buckaroos called Jodi Primus, who was head coach of the team from 2010-2013, out of the bullpen to take over. Primus is Pendleton’s third head coach over the past four years. “They have been pushed to adapt and persevere and have really rallied together this season to accomplish their goals of winning league and competing in the state tournament,” Primus said of her players. “I am so proud of how mentally tough they have become!” Stayton last made the state tournament in 2021, five years before Crook County won the first of its eight state titles. Sophomores Kathryn and Kourtney Samek are twins, but the twinning doesn’t stop there among sophomores on this roster. Zuri Andersen has a twin on the JV team. And Molli Emmert has a twin brother. Coach Ruth Daniels, in her fourth year, thinks that Stayton might be the Cinderella story of the 4A field. “We have the talent this year to make tit far if the girls can just apply themselves,” she said…The Dalles went to State last year interim head coach Teresa Morris on the bench. Morris is now fully official for the Riverhawks, who are now riding a three-year “State 8” streak and another Morris, freshman outside Jazlynn Morris-Holmes, is leading the way…
3A (Marshfield HS, Coos Bay)
Burns
Current official record: 27-4
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Dayton
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank:4
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 0-2
All-time state titles: 8
Last state title: 2021
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 6th
Players to watch: Akylah Kaino, 6-1 Sr. OH; Caitlyn Horrell, 6-1 Sr. MB; Bailey Temple 5-3 Soph. libero; Chloe Rothwell, 5-8 Sr. S
Head coach name: Paula Toney and Courtney Toney
Years at the school: 28 and 2
Coquille
Current official record: 17-3
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Valley Catholic
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 0-0
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2018
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Vale
Players to watch: Holli Vigue, 5-9 Sr. RS; Kaytlin Johnson, 5-3 Jr. S; Olivia Brophy, 5-5 Jr. OH; Peyton Drake, 5-4 Soph. libero
Head coach name: Mindi Wilson
Years at the school: 4
Corbett
Current official record: 23-3
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Santiam Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 0-1
All-time state titles: 5
Last state title: 1988
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7
Players to watch: Ursula Harrington, 6-1 Sr. MB; Greta Miller, 5-9 Sr. S; Sammi Blume, 5-8 Sr. OH; Taylor Young, 5-10 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Angela Davis
Years at the school: 16
Dayton
Current official record: 21-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Burns
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 1-5
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2000
2023 state finish: lost, round 2, to Creswell
Players to watch: Gabby Chupp, 6-0 Fr. MB; Mylie Duran, 5-7 Sr. libero; Peyton Behrens, 5-7 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Megan Webster
Years at the school: 5
Pleasant Hill
Current official record: 27-1
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Westside Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 4-1
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 1974
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Cheyenne Green, 6-1 Sr. OH; Claire Crawford, 5-10 Sr. S; Ruby Jackson, 5-11 Sr. MB; Emily Krauss, 5-6 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Jessica Crawford
Years at the school: 8
Santiam Christian
Current official record: 23-3
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Corbett
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 3-3
All-time state titles: 9
Last state title: 2019
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Joya Euhus, 6-1 Sr. OH; Allison Curtis, 5-9 Soph. OH; Lucie Vigil, 5-4 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Kelli Fitzpatrick
Years at the school: 10
Valley Catholic
Current official record: 24-3
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Coquille
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: T-2
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 6-1
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Addie Emerson, 5-9 Sr. RS; Madison Sherby, 5-9 Jr. OH; Willa Kayfes, 5-11 Sr. MB; Jaya McGregor, 5-7 Soph. S
Head coach name: Becky Kemper
Years at the school: 22
Westside Christian
Current official record: 23-5
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: Pleasant Hill
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Fall record versus 3A state tournament teams: 2-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2016
2023 state finish: lost, round 2, to Cascade Christian
Players to watch: Ella Perry, 5-4 Jr. S; Louise Steyn, 5-6 Jr. libero; JoJo Christiansen, 5-9 Sr. OH
Head coach name: Kristina Thom
Years at the school:
Quarterfinals: Friday, 9 and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
Semifinals: Friday, 6 and 8 p.m.
Saturday third-place match: 1 p.m.
Saturday championship match: 6:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Burns has made the state playoffs in 30 of the past 31 years. The Hilanders have earned 19 trophies plus a Covid title. Four players made First Team All-League for Burns, including senior setter Chloe Rothwell, who has open heart surgery one week after last year’s state tournament. She was not expected to return to normal activity for nine months but recovered so rapidly that she was back in three…Coquille finished fourth in 2A in 2018, the last of a five-year stretch, between 2A and 3A, where the Red Devils finished no worse than sixth at the state tournament. This year’s team has a big hitter in Holli Vigue and a pageant winner in Kaytlin Johnson, Miss Coos County Teen 2024. Does that mean the season has been “hit and Miss?” Corbett was junior-dominated last year when the Cardinals made their first state tournament appearance in a decade. This year’s team is led by its five seniors, four of whom were either First or Second-Team All-League picks. Those five seniors have been playing together since the fifth grade…Dayton started the year 11-0 and was 18-1 on Oct. 17. The Pirates then lost four of their next six – all losses to elite teams – before regrouping to sweep Amity to make the final state tournament site for the first time in 24 years…
Pleasant Hill ended a 28-year state tournament drought last year and made it to the championship match. Given how young the Billies were, Jessica Crawford’s team was expected to dominate this year, and indeed it has. In 2024, Pleasant Hill won league for the first time since 1995, when Coach Crawford was a member of the team. And the Billies lost only once all year, to Westside Christian, its first-round opponent…Santiam Christian has made the State Tournament in nine of head coach Kelli Fitzpatrick’s 10 years with the program. The Eagles finished fifth last year and sixth a year ago. The team is led by OH Joya Euhus, a Houston Christian recruit whose 585 kills is almost 100 more than the record 491 she produced in 2023. You’ll enjoy watching this team play even before first serve, as they line dance before every match to “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney. That’s probably because you can’t dance to “The Good Stuff.” Valley Catholic is in the final eight for the 18th straight year, including the past 13 under coach Becky Kemper, who returned to coach the team in 2012 after a 10-year hiatus. Attempting to defend their 2022 title, the Valiants finished third last year after a stunning semifinal loss to eventual champion Sisters. This is a fun, goofy team that plays with a ton of energy. Last Friday, the coaching staff surprised the squad with a team activity: curling. If the Valiants sweep to the title, we’ll know why…Westside Christian has never medaled at State, but the potential is there this season, as evidenced by Friday wins over Pleasant Hills and Dayton just three weeks ago. The Eagles have two sets of sisters on the team – the Hildenbrands and the Postmas – but “all 13 players share a great chemistry,” said coach Kristina Thom, “as if all are family.”
2A (Ridgeview HS, Redmond)
Clatskanie
Current official record: 20-3
Tournament seed: 9
Quarterfinal opponent: Crosshill Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 1-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2003
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Santiam
Players to watch: Natalie Baker, 5-7 Sr. MB; Joey Sizemore, 5-10 Jr. S; Lacey Willis, 5-10 Soph. MB
Head coach name: Amanda Baker
Years at the school: 5
Crosshill Christian
Current official record: 29-2
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Clatskanie
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 1-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: T-7 (in 1A)
Players to watch: Ryland Minnick, 6-1 Jr. MB; Ellie Bartel, 6-0 Jr. OH; Zoey Baker, 6-4 Jr. MB; Sierra Poush, 5-11 Jr. OH
Head coach name: Julie Bennett
Years at the school: 11
Heppner
Current official record: 21-8
Tournament seed: 10
Quarterfinal opponent: Salem Academy
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 2-4
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2017
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Gaston
Players to watch: Hallee Hisler, 5-8 Sr. MB; Isa Payne, 5-7 Fr. MB; Ava Gerry, 5-7 Sr. S; Maya Payne, 5-7 Soph. S; Katie Spivey, 5-8 Sr. libero
Head coach name: Mindy Wilson
Years at the school: 8
Portland Christian
Current official record: 20-3
Tournament seed: 6
Quarterfinal opponent: Western Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 2-2
All-time state titles: 4
Last state title: 2023
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Addison Johanson, 6-0 Soph. MB; Payton Becker, 5-9 Soph. S/RS; Alyssa Baird, 5-11 Sr. OH; Finley Marine, 5-9 Jr. OH; Olive Clapp, 5-2 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Denetia Chimuku
Years at the school: 3
Salem Academy
Current official record: 22-3
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Heppner
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 6-1
All-time state titles: 4
Last state title: 2022
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Emma Brewer, 6-1 Jr. OH; Jordyn Copeland, 5-9 Fr. OH/S; Bella McGraw, 6-0 Jr. MB
Head coach name: Kara Copeland
Years at the school: 1
Stanfield
Current official record: 18-5
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: Weston-McEwen
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 7
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 4-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2022
2023 state finish: lost, round 1, to Lowell
Players to watch: Mazie Reeser, 5-11 Sr. OH; Kylee Jackson, 5-10 Sr. OH; Mykael Graham, 5-6 Sr. S
Head coach name: Blaine Ganvoa
Years at the school: 7
Western Christian
Current official record: 20-4
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: Portland Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 1-3
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Lexi Herber, 5-11 Sr.. S; Addison Herber, 6-1 Soph. MB; Avery Herber, 6-2 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Sydney Fahndrich
Years at the school: 2
Weston-McEwen
Current official record: 18-11
Tournament seed: 12
Quarterfinal opponent: Stanfield
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 2A state tournament teams: 0-3
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2016
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2023 state finish: did not make playoffs
Players to watch: Charlotte Hansell, 5-9 Soph. OH; Addy Hall, 5-5 Soph. S/RS; Delaynee Angel, 5-10 Sr. RS/OH
Head coach name: Marie Cain
Years at the school: 2
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?
Amanda Baker is the fifth-year head coach at Clatskanie, a program making its first appearance at State since 2003, but Baker also was on the staff back then. This is a team loaded with talented multi-sport athletes, including Lacey Willis; a state high jump champion; Natalie Baker, a two-year state participant in girls wrestling; and Joey Sizemore, who holds the OSAA single-season and career grand slam record in softball…Crosshill Christian made the 1A state tournament field last year and went 0-2 with only one senior on the roster. This year, playing one classification higher, the Eagles are the No. 1 overall seed in a talented field and has the longest active winning streak in the state across all classifications: 26 straight match wins and 68 straight set wins. And the team’s best players are all underclassmen, so this may only be the beginning…Heppner is at State for the first time since 2017, one year after Mindy Wilson became head coach. The Mustangs come in having won nine of their past 11 matches, the only losses to Stanfield, which also is in the tournament…Defending champion Portland Christian won State last year with a very young, unproven team that grew up fast in Redmond. The Royals this year are flying somewhat under the radar as the No. 6 seed, thanks to mid-October losses to Clatskanie and Prairie of Washington, but this is a dangerous team, with sophomore Addison Johanson edging out senior Alyssa Baird for league Player of the Year and standout juniors Finley Marine and Olive Clapp rounding into form after injuries slowed the starts to their seasons…
Salem Academy finished second in 2A last year after winning the previous two seasons. The Tri-River Conference co-champions, with Western Christian,are making their seventh appearance in the “State 8” over the past nine seasons. The Crusaders, under first-year coach Kara Copeland, have leaned heavily into their faith, and specifically want to glorify God in body and spirit…Stanfield finished fourth at State in 2022, but was upset short of the “State 8,” last year, which has fueled this year’s run. The Tigers come in on a 10-match winning streak and focused, which is a good thing because anyone caught at practice using the word, “can’t,” or yawning, must sing a song for a minimum of 30 seconds. That includes families attending team events also! Western Christian burst onto the scene last year, finishing third at State one year after playing only a JV schedule. The Pioneers are a talented bunch with a 21-year-old head coach and three sisters, Lexi Herber, Addison Herber and Avery Herber, who have carried the team through a fair amount of adversity. “I’m excited to see what this coming weekend brings,” said coach Sydney Fahndrich. “Win or lose, though, this season has been an absolute success.” Weston-McEwen, seeded 12th is the biggest longshot in the “State 8” in any classification. Marie Cain is in her second year coaching at her alma mater and tenth year overall. She took over the TigerScot program from the coach that was her coach when she wore the Weston-McEwen uniform.
1A (Ridgeview HS, Redmond)
Central Christian
Current official record: 26-7
Tournament seed: 8
Quarterfinal opponent: Crane
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 8
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 3-6
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: never
2023 state finish: lost, Round 1, to Adrian
Players to watch: Tabitha Terry, 6-0 Jr. MB; Stella Adams, 5-7 Soph. OH; Tatum Willis, 5-8 Jr. OH
Head coach name: Danielle Benz
Years at the school: 2
Crane
Current official record: 27-3
Tournament seed: 1
Quarterfinal opponent: Central Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 1
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 7-0
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2023
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 1st
Players to watch: Kaitlyn Seigner, 5-9 Soph. MB; Ava Bowen, 5-7 Jr. MB; Kamryn Dunten, 5-9 Soph. OH/MB
Head coach name: Maddye Wester
Years at the school: 3
Imbler
Current official record: 28-7
Tournament seed: 4
Quarterfinal opponent: St. Paul
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 4
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 3-2
All-time state titles: 3
Last state title: 2013
Last state tournament appearance: 2016
2023 state finish: lost, Round 2, to Powder Valley
Players to watch: Rachael Stirewalt, 5-10 Sr. OH; Isla Howard, 5-8 Soph. MB; Jeytt Cant, 5-6 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Jennifer Teeter
Years at the school: 29
North Lake
Current official record: 23-7
Tournament seed: 11
Quarterfinal opponent: Union
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 9
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 1-2
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2010
2023 state finish: lost, Round 1, to St. Paul
Players to watch: Hannah Roth, 5-10 Sr. OH; Acacia Roth, 5-10 Soph. MB; Emma Baker, 5-6 Soph. S; Cynthia Tobiasson, 5-5 Soph. OH
Head coach name: Mellisa Roth
Years at the school: 7
Powder Valley
Current official record: 25-7
Tournament seed: 7
Quarterfinal opponent: Umpqua Valley Christian
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 1-6
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2012
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 3rd
Players to watch: Marli Lind, 5-5 Sr. S; Sky Nesser, 5-11 Jr. MB; Kellee Dixon, Jr. OH
Head coach name: Marji Lind
Years at the school: 12
St. Paul
Current official record: 22-7
Tournament seed: 5
Quarterfinal opponent: Imbler
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 3
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 3-1
All-time state titles: 2
Last state title: 2019
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 2nd
Players to watch: Audra Rose, 6-2 Sr. MB; Josey Edwards, 5-10 Sr. OH; Lila Wolf, 5-4 Soph. S
Head coach name: Les Hiller
Years at the school: 15
Umpqua Valley Christian
Current official record: 23-5
Tournament seed: 2
Quarterfinal opponent: Powder Valley
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 5
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 6
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 2-1
All-time state titles: 0
Last state title: none
Last state tournament appearance: 2023
2023 state finish: 5th
Players to watch: Meagan Hellenthal, 5-9 Soph. OH; Jaz Cornell, 5-4 Sr. S; Kira Butler, 5-11 Sr. MB
Head coach name: Candice Renyer
Years at the school: 7
Union
Current official record: 22-7
Tournament seed: 3
Quarterfinal opponent: North Lake
Final OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: 2
Pre-season OSAAtoday coaches poll rank: not ranked
Fall record versus 1A state tournament teams: 2-4
All-time state titles: 1
Last state title: 2002
Last state tournament appearance: 2019
2023 state finish: lost, Round 2, to St. Paul
Players to watch: Paisley Miller, 6-0 Sr. S/OH; Kaelyn Shoemaker, 6-0 Sr. MB; Sawyer Shoemaker, 5-11 Soph. S/OH’ Joslyn Miller, 5-5 Jr. libero
Head coach name: Madison Elliott
Years at the school: 3
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?
Central Christian is making its first-ever appearance at the State Tournament. The Tigers have a nationally-ranked endurance horse rider on the roster in setter Joslynn Terry. I suppose you can clap or clop after every assist! The team has a special bond with North Lake, which is also in the field. “The fact that you can both love your enemies and play tough against them is really special,” said coach Danielle Benz…Crane is back to defend its 2023 state title and is the No. 1 seed despite the graduation of OH Kortney Doman, who dominated the tournament a year ago. Several of the players live in the dorm at Crane during the week and go home on the weekends. The area is so rural that some have a 40-mile commute to the school each way! Imbler is a hot team! The Panthers are riding a 13-match winning streak and have a dominant player in senior hitter Rachael Stirewalt, the league Player of the Year. This is another team that has grown up together and plays like family. Indeed, there are two sets of sisters on the team. And they are cousins! North Lake is making its first appearance at the state tournament in 14 years. The school was built in the center of three rural, agricultural communities: Fort Rock, Silver Lake and Christmas Valley. Some players live as close as four miles to the school and others travel more than 30 miles….
Powder Valley made it back to State, where it placed third last year, despite having only three returning varsity players from a year ago. “The experienced players have led and supported their teammates amazingly and the younger players have taken the challenge of filling big shoes with dedication and determination,” said head coach Marji Lind…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 tournament all 15 years she’s been at the school. The team finished second a year ago and hopes to play great matches against good teams in order to earn Olive Garden breadsticks and dipping sauces, a team tradition…Umpqua Valley Christian made the tournament for a third straight year after an 18-year drought. The Monarchs finished fifth a year ago and take a six-match winning streak to Redmond. Candice Renyer’s team won the Skyline League title for the first time in school history…Union comes to State winners of 15 of its past 18 matches, with losses only to Powder Valley, Imbler and Crane. The Bobcats are coached by Madison Elliott, who coached at the junior high level when the juniors and seniors were in the seventh and eighth grades. Add the three years she’s been high school coach and she’s been the mentor of many for longer than their high school careers!
