La Salle Prep is prepping for a new year with a highly-touted freshman class

State champion’s salute

The pre-season OSAAtoday coaches polls in volleyball were released to the OSAA Live app today and five of the six defending state champions, Jesuit in 6A, Crescent Valley in 5A, Marist Catholic in 4A, Portland Christian in 2A and Crane in 1A, all start at No. 1 in their respective classifications. Sisters, the 3A champions, have a new coach and graduated many dynamic players. The Outlaws start off at No. 2.

Here now is a 2024 outlook for each of the reigning champions, based on forms submitted to us:

Jesuit has appeared in every state final since 2018, winning three titles over that span, including last year. The Crusaders, under veteran head coach Teresa Zimmerlee, will always be a threat in 6A, but will face a stiffer test this year because their two most productive hitters and a top defender have graduated. Libero Addy Acevedo, setter Jackie Carle and pins Sadie Ross and Iman Foster return, giving Jesuit a solid foundation. Look for seniors Julia Paulson and Hayden McGehee to assume larger roles and for the ‘Saders to fill in with talented youngsters from a good JV team.

Crescent Valley repeated as state champions in 2023. The Raiders will have a different look in 2024, as coach Troy Shorey left to become coach at Lower Columbia College, start middle Taelyn Bentley transferred to South Albany and superstar libero Dani Street graduated. First-year coach McKenna Smith will build her team around 5-11 setter Kamden Mitchell, who may be the best setter in the state; and senior OH Bella Jacobson.

Marist Catholic won state for the first time in 25 years last fall. The Spartans graduated six seniors, but return seven to the varsity, including five with starting experience. Senior OH Giana Elgarico, sophomore setter Lauren Rohman and senior middle Ava Roundy are impact players for coach Shari Pimental. RS Kimmy Spurlock and defenders Keagan De Lee and Alexa Henderson are also back on a team that could very well repeat in a division that collectively doesn’t have quite the same consistent talent level of previous years.

Sisters will look different in 2024. The 2023 state-champion Outlaws not only graduated all of their starters except senior setter Holly Davis; they also have a new head coach in Josh Kreunen. Kreunen said that Sisters will play strong defense, serve tough and look for its opportunities on offense. That should be enough to put the Outlaws in contention for a league title and primed to make a deep playoff run.

Crane won its first-ever volleyball state title last year behind the dominance of lone senior starter Kortney Doman, who had 37 kills in the championship match. Coach Maddye Wester’s Mustangs return sophomore MB/OH Kaitlyn Siegner, sophomore setter Kendal Nichols and junior middle Ava Bowen, among five returning starters. The core group is solid and relatively young. The loss of Doman, however, will loom until Crane finds the leadership, experience and firepower elsewhere on the roster.

Note: we have not yet received a form for 2A champion Portland Christian. The Royals, however, were an all-underclass team last year and should be favored to repeat if their stars, like setter Payton Becker, libero Olive Clapp, OH Finley Marine, RS Alyssa Baird and MB Addison Johanson, all return.

Look out for these outlooks!

Below please find outlooks for almost 50 other teams that completed pre-season outlook forms, in alphabetical order by classification. We will include more of these next weeks, as varsity head coaches complete their forms at this link: Volleyball -- https://osaa.wufoo.com/forms/z4cyr8e1od4g0i/

6A

Grant went undefeated to win the PIL last fall and made it to the second round of the state playoffs for only the second time in school history. Libero Rachel Peterson, the PIL Player of the Year, has graduated, but there remains plenty for head coach Erin Cole to build around, including three-year All-League S/OH Maggie McCarthy, senior MB An Roesinger and senior RS Cecily Wagstaff.

Liberty won three matches in coach Andy Levoe’s first season leading the Falcons. Two starters have graduated, including the school’s kill leader; but sophomore libero Payton Schlenker returns for a team that should keep the ball off the ground and give the Falcons the chance to stay in matches.

Nelson finished third at State in 2022 and repeated that feat in 2023, not bad for a school that opened less than five years ago. The Hawks, who won 28 matches under coach Lisa McBee, will be in the mix again in 2024 with seven key players back, including 6-1 junior OH Madi Andrews, a Michigan State commit and one of the top hitters in the nation in the Class of 2026. OH Gabby Hill, MB Lainey Day, setter Kaitlin Boring, libero Avi Trees, RS Sienna Rasmussen and DS/OH Ella Garner also return for a team with few weaknesses that should challenge for a state title.

South Eugene went 9-13 under first-year head coach Ron Beick last year. The Axe graduated six starters, including four pins, leaving a team that will be young and lacking in experience but will shine on defense and in the passing game. Players to watch include libero Chiara Gianforti, setter Lucy Alkire, OH Caroline Combs and MBs Sydney Gaston and Capri Betenson. 

South Salem finished sixth at state last year after winning 25 matches. The Saxons have been a consistent contender for the past decade and should be in the mix again despite the graduation of All-Conference middle Malena Mathis and one other starter. Five other All-Conference performers return, including 6-0 junior OH Briella Mathis, who also was an Honorable Mention All-State selection. Junior setter Kamree Orizotti and three seniors, libero Avery Axmaker, OH Nadiah Luna and MB Brooklyn Butler are also back for veteran coach Matt Leichty, who says this squad can be as good as it wants to be.

Sprague had a fantastic 2023 campaign and was ranked inside the top three in 6A for most of the season. The Olympians graduated four starters from last year’s 28-win team, but coach Anne Olsen is confident that she has the pieces to fill in the gaps. Two dynamic setter/hitters, senior Evie Morrisette and Brooke Friesen, will power the offense. OH Khloe Livingston and libero Charlotte Ponier also are key players back. Freshman defender Eliza Lohrman  could make a profound impact in the back row as the Olympians look to match or exceed their record of a year ago.

Wendy Stammer is in her third year coaching St. Mary’s Academy. The Blues went 19-7 a year ago and finished second in the Three Rivers League. The team suffered significant graduation losses, including All-State libero Adrienne Nguyen; and will be young in the middle, but a strong JV program should help round out a roster that returns setters Maya Cainine and Leah Dickason, OH Jane McDowell and defender Shelby Cenova.

Tigard  was a 10-11 team in 2023 and is a team that has steadily improved under coach Jesse Abell over the past few years. The Tigers will continue building this fall around five juniors, libero Ashley Witt, pins Jacquelyn Goddard, Sloan Sanders and London Moehring and setter Ainsley Snider. Senior pin Sloan Sanders also is a player to watch.

Bridget Hinrichs is back coaching Tualatin  after a previous stint from 2012-2019. She inherits a team that went 2-15 last year and graduated five seniors, including four starters. Four players with varsity experience return, including defenders Taylor Winborne and Aero Nguyen, MB Kristin Guerra and OH Jaelyn Hinrichs. All are underclassmen. This will be a building year for the Timberwolves but the future is brighter with Coach Hinrichs back on the bench preaching fun and respect for tradition.

West Salem won 13 matches and made it to the second round of the state playoffs in 2023. The Titans could be even better this fall despite the graduation of ultra-physical attacker Lauryn Johnson and energetic libero Jenna Woodcock. Coach Scott Coons’ team returns five who earned All-Conference recognition in 2023, including First Teamer Ashelyn Stanley, a senior setter. Three other All-Conference seniors, RS Clara Lathen, OH Olivia Carr and MB Braeli Martin, are also back, as is junior OH Addison Dixon. The addition of Jaynie Jesperson and Alana Vaughters to the rotation should give West Salem excellent skill and back row energy. This isn’t a particularly tall 6A team, with only one player 6-0 or taller, but there are a lot of pieces in place for an excellent season.

Willamette was winless in 2023 but had a very young squad. The Wolverines will be improved in 2024 and win matches thanks to dedication and perseverance. Libero Mia Cervantes, setter Jadyn Stevens, OH Elliot Fulmer and DS Josephine Pascual all return in the hopes of building a foundation for the future of Willamette volleyball.

5A

Bend is always in the mix for league and state titles and last year was no different. The Lava Bears threepeated as league champion and finished second at State. Veteran coach Kristin Cooper faces a challenge this year with the graduation of setter Lacy Clothier and 5A Player of the Year Chloe LeLuge, a prolific scorer. The offense will look different, but Bend will still be good thanks to five returning starters, including Conference Libero of the Year Brooke Baude, S/MB Lucy Schuller, MB Carlie Schields and OH Jasi Kjellesvik. Junior MB Makena VandenBos is an impact newcomer on an athletic, versatile squad that expects to win.

Canby had a down year in 2023, winning just nine times. Veteran coach TJ Schlatter has higher expectations this year, with four starters back, including high IQ sophomore setter Daisy Guijosa. Other starters back include libero Harmony Davies, OH Mady Olsen and MB Makayla Ford. Keep an eye on junior pin Geneva Diggles, a part-time starter in 2023. Schlatter said she is one of the most athletic players in the league and could make a massive impact for a scrappy team with great chemistry.

Eagle Point won a school-record-tying 14 matches last year and reached the state playoffs for the second consecutive year, the first time that’s happened in almost 20 years. Graduation and out-of-state relocations have hit the Eagles hard, but coach Jacob Schauffler will tap into a JV that has lost just five matches over the past two years to identify the next players to step up in an Eagle Point uniform. Look for senior MB Thianna Deng-Gomez to be a team leader and go-to performer. Others who may impact include libero Taylor Sheedy, outsides Karris Johnson and Blakely Schauffler and MB Kady Ledbetter. The Eagles are an athletic, versatile group with skills and the expectation to continue winning.

La Salle Prep has a history of winning state titles and last year was 18-9. DI middle Hailey Heytveit has graduated and the Falcons have a new coach in Julie Taylor Palmer, but there is a tradition of winning, the return of All-Conference setter Abby Maulding, along with four other varsity members;  and a dynamic freshman class. La Salle may not contend for a title in 2024, but if the youngsters are as good as touted, taking home hardware could happen as early as next year.   

Milwaukie enjoyed its first winning season in more than a decade last fall. Five seniors have graduated, but the Mustangs return 6-2 senior middle Harry Barry, an All-League pick; as well as OH Moe Bondo, setter Colby Braman, defender Shae Remoket and right side attackers Serenity Costello and Anna Bergman. Junior libero Jasmyn Spencer is an impact newcomer to the lineup. She is fast and steady and will help ensure that Carol York’s squad contends for a top-four finish in the NWOC this year.

Putnam won just nine matches in 2023 but still managed to make the state playoffs. The Kingsmen may be in a building phase this year, thanks to 18 graduating players over the past two seasons. Senior OH Zoey Bauer, junior libero Chloe Stearns, junior OH Lauren Weimer and sophomore middle Kennedy Brown are returning players with varsity experience for first-year head coach Nicole Mays, who predicted that her team would have the opportunity to make the state playoffs once again if the newcomers get their feet wet quickly.

Summit finished 11-11 in a 2023 season that saw the Storm upset Churchill to make the state tournament for the first time since 2019. With six starters graduating, this will be a building year for Summit. The good news for head coach Emily McMahon? There is talent in the fold. High IQ talent to boot! Players to watch include All-Conference libero Lucie Reynolds, a senior who will likely set this year; OH Sahalie Oceguera, MB Teagen McMahon, power pin Elli Guadalupe and quick defender Ruby Budz.

Thurston stood on the podium at State for the first time in 41 years after a third-place finish in 2023. That’s the good news. The challenging news for head coach David Natt is that he graduated every one of his starters. The Colts may be starting over in a sense, but they do so knowing what it takes to win and make ths state tournament. OH Addison Nelson and setters Amilyiah Proctor and Kendall Miller, reserves last year who have developed rapidly in the off-season, will lead the team. Two transfers, MB Kylee Skinner and OH/libero Mallory McGuire, should also make immediate impacts on a team eager to “compete fearlessly” in pursuit of their goals.

West Albany finished fourth at the state tournament last fall. The Bulldogs, who last won state in 2021, have long been playoff contenders. Coached by Megan Wallace, West Albany finds itself fairly young in 2024 after star OH Kendyl Arnett and both middles graduated, but this is a talented group. Senior OH Mylee Blake is the top returning player, with Ellie Grace and Zyon Moevao forming a strong defensive tandem. If junior setter Bryn Nieman and 6-2 freshman MB/OH Lily Hamblin have the impact expected, West Albany could well be back in trophy contention again this year.

Perennial power Wilsonville won league for the sixth straight year in 2023. The Wildcats, who have finished top three three times over the past four state tournaments, graduated five starters, but they return another five with starting experience. They include setter Ellis Underhill, pin hitters Emma Fauth and Lana Gillas, defender Emily Holmes and senior MB Sophia Brandes, whose 2023 season was cut short due to a knee injury. Look for freshman middle Karli Vannoy, sophomore OH Teagan Hamilton and junior defender Liv Clark to contribute as well for a team that coach Scott Thompson believes has the potential win a state tournament trophy.

Woodburn managed just four wins in 2023. Head coach Hannah Kinniburgh is convinced that she has a squad this fall with the potential to turn things around for the program. Libero Hannah Peterson leads the returning starters , with Ray Heide, Jamie Schiedler, Paola Barajas and Norma Rodriguez other experienced players to watch. The Bulldogs are deep, hardworking and will push one another to make the collective as good as it can be.

4A

Cascade won the Oregon West League for the third straight year in 2023 and came home with the third-place trophy at State. The Cougars graduated four regulars, but coach Cristina Williams insists that her team will be “young but mighty” going into 2024. OH Kamryn Sande and setter Irene Rocha Ibarra, both First Team All-League picks, will lead six returning players.

Marshfield won the state title in 2022 and finished as runner up a year ago. The Pirates graduated three very important pieces to their dynastic run, but return four others, led by senior setter Ava Ainsworth and senior OH Tatum Montiel, both All-State players. Two other seniors, MB Analise McCord and OH Alie Clarke, are back and will be supported by three juniors and freshman RS Caroline Knutson among the eight-player rotation. Head coach Tammie Montiel said that graduation may give her team a new look this year, but the goal remains to make the state tournament and come home with hardware.

Mazama took fifth in the state last year and won league for the third straight time. The Vikings graduated nine seniors and are looking at a building year. Conference POY Cali Bitzer, a 5-10 junior OH, does return, giving the team a great player to build around.

3A

Blanchet Catholic finished two games over .500 last year and made the state playoffs for the first time in five years. The Cavaliers graduated four senior starters and are moving up in classification, but coach Peter Piexoto believes his team is up for the challenge and should be in the mix for the playoffs once again. This will be a scrappy team with experience on the pins in the form of junior Lindsay Arritola and seniors Tatum Fleming and Molly Mucken. “We have the pieces to be really good this year,” Piexoto said. “It will just depend on the new players and the returning players coming together as a team.”

Burns was 27-7 in 2023, continuing its tradition of consistently being a state contender. The Hilanders graduated two impact players now on collegiate rosters, setter Ashley Wright and OH Mackenzie King, but veteran coach Paula Toney says she has players that will rise to the occasion to fill those big shoes. Burns does return big hitting senior Akylah Kaino, which is nice; plus libero Bailey Temple, OH Jocelyn Graham, MB Myah Rothwell, pin Danye Runnels and setter Chloe Rothwell. The team adds 6-1 senior middle Caitlyn Horrell, a power hitter who sat out last year; and 5-11 freshman middle Megan Weil, a player we’ll be writing about for the next four years.

Catlin Gabel was 14-10 last fall but graduated no starters. The Eagles are looking in 2024 to challenge for the top spot in the Lewis & Clark League behind All-League middle Hayley Schaaf, a junior who stands 6-3; and setters Rachel Cohrs and Maliha Rajan. Outside hitters Erin Chow and Lyla Wohlgemuth and libero Sofia Rada also return for CG, which will bolster its lineup with the arrival of 6-0 freshman Chase Zanon, who brings power and versatility to the front row. If you’re looking for a sleeper team in 3A, this could well be it.

The Lions of Jefferson won six matches last year. They have a new coach, Joyce Stringer, and a roster of players who get along and try hard. But with an average roster height of just 5-3, there will be challenges in the fall to compete against taller, more physical teams.

McLoughlin graduated just one starter from last year’s 7-12 team. The Pioneers are continuing to build and could take a big step in 2024 with six key players back, including senior setter Addy Brown, senior OH Lainie Ellis and 5-8 junior middle Miley Rhodes, a Second Team All-League performer. There are other players as well – strong servers and hitters – primed to make their presence felt as well.

Pleasant Hill reached the 3A championship match last year and could be the favorite to win it all in 2024 with five All-League players returning, including senior OH Cheyenne Green, one of the top attackers in the state. Setter Claire Crawford, libero Emily Knauss, MB Ruby Jackson and OH Anna Crawford also are back, forming the nucleus of a Billies team that won 24 matches last fall. Coach Jessica Crawford’s team, if healthy, should be at least that good again in 2024.

Sheridan won 10 matches and made the district playoffs a year ago. The Spartans’ starting setter is among two that have graduated, but Coach Chris Harmon says he will bring back a balanced team that will fight for a top-four spot in the PAC West Conference. Players to watch include middles Logan Watkins and Taylor Givens, OH Chloe Ayala and libero Kaylee Johnson. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a freshman, but the level of success Sheridan achieves in 2024 may well depend on how quickly Nahliya Santos integrates into the offense.

Siuslaw was a break-even 10-10 last year. The Vikings should be competitive in league under first-year head coach McKenzie Perry, an alumna. OH Kimberly Martinez-Munoz, S/RS Kylee Stinger and MB/OHs Mia Snider and Jolee Erickson are returning players to watch.

Sutherlin has a first-year head coach in Kim Martineau and a goal of turning a team that won six matches last year into a league champion. “These girls are so capable of beating and competing with some great teams,” the coach said. The Bulldogs return several starters, including senior middle Addyson Clark, junior OH Allison Waechter, junior setter Abigail Fultz and sophomore libero Kennedi Thiessens. This team could be underestimated due to results over the previous two seasons, but don’t be surprised if Sutherlin takes a big leap forward this year.

Valley Catholic came within a touch of repeating as 3A champions a year ago. The Valiants, who are working on a league championship streak of eight straight, will be in the mix for league and state titles again in 2024 thanks to a potent pin attack that features seniors Addie Emerson and Wili Kayfes and junior Madison Sherby. Setter Jaya McGregor and MB Meave Albert are other key returning players on a well-balanced offensive team that plays with high energy and joy both front row and back.

2A

Clatskanie went 15-9 last year and qualified for the state tournament despite graduating eight seniors from the year before. This year’s team did not lose a single starter, meaning expectations are sky high for the Tigers, both in league, where they will have to battle defending champion Portland Christian; and again in the state, where defending champion Portland Christian obviously looms. Players to watch include senior middle Natalie Baker, last year’s team MVP; junior setter Joey Sizemore, junior OH Mya Jensen, sophomore MB Lacey Willis and sophomore libero McKinsey Doyle.

Crosshill Christian was 22-7 last fall and again made the state tournament. The Eagles graduated only a right side hitter, meaning Julie Bennett’s team is eying competing for hardware in 2024. The team returns four All-League players, including 6-0 junior OH Ellie Bartel, the team MVP since she set foot on campus as a freshman. Three other juniors, MBs Ryland Minnick and Zoey Baker and OH Sierra Poush, are part of a daunting front row that is tall for 2A. One newcomer to watch is Ella Remsburg, a transfer setter with experience.

Gervais was 5-14 in 2023, one year removed from an appearance in the state playoffs. The Cougars graduated two starters, but coach Molly McCargar believes she has adequate replacements that will blend with the experienced veterans to produce more wins in 2024. Three seniors, Addy McCargar, Alyssa Mendoza and Mariela Benevidas; and junior Sofia Egoroff are players to watch on a team that will hustle from first serve to the last point.

Grant Union went 25-8 last fall, repeated as league champs and placed fourth at state. Coach Mariah Moulton’s team graduated seven seniors, six of whom were starters. The Prospectors will rely on returning All-Conference performers Addy Northway at setter and Karly VanLoo on the right, but will need to find a go-to hitter and replace the leadership that graduated. There is loads of potential among the younger players, including jumping jack sophomore hitter Rillie Mitchell and heady libero Gracee Huekman, and what should be a vaunted class of 10 freshmen. Time will tell whether this team can scrap its way back to state in 2024.

Nestucca was 12-10 in 2023 and reached the district playoffs. The Bobcats had four seniors earn All-League accolades. They will be hard to replace. Libero Vanessa Perez and OH Rylee Armstrong, both seniors, will lead the way in 2024 for second-year head coach Megan Deam, whose team should be strong in the middle and in the back row.

Trinity Lutheran  was 27-5 in 2023 and finished fourth in the 1A state tournament, the highest finish ever for the Saints. A move to 2A for 2024 brings unknowns for head coach Kristin Bryan and her team, but the returning players, a key transfer and a couple of amazing freshmen have the Saints thinking big. Players to watch include MB Aubree Weisner and outsides Malia Hernandez and Charlotte Quinn. Defender Lucy McAllister transfers in from Damascus Christian and gives Trinity Lutheran a proven talent in the back row. Her sister, freshman Alea McAllister, is 5-10 and has power potential on the pin, as does 6-0 freshman Alivia Bryan, who sets and hits.

1A

North Clackamas Christian  was 20-9 a year ago and currently is riding a 12-year playoff streak. The Saints graduated All-State setter Olivia Woody and one other starter, but returns a more well-rounded team than last year, one that will be, in coach Grant Nelson’s words, “consistently scrappy.” Players to watch include middles Noe Kanui and Natalie Holzworth, setter Madalyn Minne and OH Lacey Nelson. Look for power hitting junior Keekee Dahlgreen to make an impact on the outside in her first year as a varsity regular.

North Douglas was 19-9 in the year following a two-year stretch in which the Warriors were state champions and state runners up. Coach Emily Reed goes into this fall season needing to replace stud middle Brooke McHaffie and two others who graduated. All-League setter Paige Decker and All-League OH Brooklyn Cyr, along with sophomore MB Presly Fry, are foundational players. Freshman OH Payton Rabuck will make an immediate impact on a team that will be scrappy and play with energy all season long.

South Wasco County was 23-12 last year and won an away road match in the state playoffs. The Redsides graduated both setters and a middle, but coach Shelley Iverson thinks her team is poised to surprise with senior middle Macy Bell, junior S/RS Jayda Iverson, junior pin Bailey Udey and junior libero Tayler Brittain returning. Look for sophomore middle Hailee Pechanec to be just one of several newcomers to make an impact on the floor. 

St. Paul won 26 matches in a season where the Buckaroos came within one win of being state champions. Coached by Les Hiller, St. Paul returns four starters, including 6-2 senior MB Audra Rose, one of the best players in the state regardless of classification. Rose, Josephine Edwards and Gabby Gleaves give the Buckaroos a strong hitting foundation. They will be surrounded by a young and skilled bunch of newcomers who will need to fill the gap left by three now playing collegiately, including setter Gracie Koch, the league Player of the Year in 2023.