Volleyball coaches 2013 preseason reports

Prairie won the 3A state championship last year under coach Andrea Doerfler (Tony Overman/The Olympian)

Prairie won the 3A state championship last year under coach Andrea Doerfler (Tony Overman/The Olympian)

Preseason outlooks as reported by area coaches

4A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE

BATTLE GROUND

Coach: Cheyanne Knight

Key players:  Brooke Van Sickle, so., OH/S; Hallie Wyles, jr., OH; Jossilyn Blackman, jr., MB.

Outlook: The Tigers remain young but talented. There are no seniors on the roster, but sophomore Van Sickle is one of the best players in the region. Last year, she was named one of the top 55 freshman in the country by the USA Volleyball Association.

CAMAS

Coach: Julie Nidick

Key players:  Lauren Harris, jr., OPP; Sophi Jacobsen, jr., MB; Cassie Bailie, sr., OH; Abby Young, sr., LIB.

Outlook: The Papermakers lost several key seniors from last year’s team that place fifth at state. But a talent group of juniors will look to step into the void, include all-state junior Lauren Harris.

EVERGREEN

No report provided

HERITAGE

No report provided

SKYVIEW

Coach: Kirsten Hoffman

Key players: Nicole Barth, sr., MH; Brinley Hadfield, sr., OH; Rachel Shirley, sr., OH; Jocelyn Adams, sr., OH; Shelby Swanson, sr., S; Olivia Coale, jr., DS/L; Maria Sloniker, jr., DS/L; Gen Lo, jr., M/RS; Kelsey Brown, jr., S; Georgia Romine-Black, so., MH.

Outlook: The Storm return strong seniors with varsity experience, including Adams, who had a knee injury that wiped away her junior year. Skyview expects to be one of the league favorites along with Camas and Union.

UNION

Coach: Tove Papenfuse

Key players:  Meghan Turner, sr., OH; Megan LaFond, sr., OH; Madeline Sutherland, sr., MH; Kaitlyn Goertzen, jr., S; Tessa VanBeek, so., L/DS.

Outlook: First-year coach Papefuse feels very good about her roster and expect to challenge Camas and Skyview for the league title.

3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE

COLUMBIA RIVER

Coach: Moe Melhart

Key players: Maggie Harshaw, sr., L; Morgan Bergerud, sr., OH; Trisha Johnson, sr., S; Evi Wilson, so., OH; Esti Wilson, so., MB; Ala Olson, jr., DS; Brooke Williams, jr., MB; Alexis Cartwright, sr., DS; Kelime Rae, sr., MB; Page Heller, so., S; Isabelle Crary, sr., OPP; Morgan Waite, sr., OH.

Outlook: The Chieftains will test themselves with a tough non-league schedule (Union, Skyview, Camas, Heritage) and travel to the Adidas Invitational in Auburn and the Spokane Crossovers in October.

FORT VANCOUVER

No report submitted

HUDSON’S BAY

Coach: Nya Gallardo

Key players: Aby Chalupa, sr., OH; Lauren Urke, sr., OPP; Meghan Wirth, sr., S; Maddy Newcomb, sr., DS; Kesley Woodling, sr., DS; Jade McDonald, so., DS; Sima Vaenuku, so., MH; Danae Lee, jr., MB; Tupou Vaenuku, fr., OH/MB.

Outlook: First-year coach Gallardo is excited about her Eagles. Junior Lee was one of the area’s top high jumpers in track last spring.

KELSO

Coach: Abby Guttormsen

Key players:  Kalena Gustin, sr., MB; Jamilee Iddings, jr., OH; Shelby Smart, so., OH/DS.

Outlook:The Hilanders have a couple of key returners in Gustin and Iddings, but biggest returner could by coach Guttormsen, who missed last season on maternity leave.

(Report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Coach: Michelle Burge

Key players: Kendall Johnson, Kimi Reed, Nina Durek, Bailey Gaspar, Kendra Bahr, Megan Gaeth, Christina Lundy, Jessica Moroye, Colleen Driscoll, Melisa Ljuca.

Outlook: None provided.

PRAIRIE

Coach: Paige Person

Key players: Kaylee Warren, sr; Malea Doerfler, sr.

Outlook: The defending state champions understand how to win. It is not about thinking about November now; it is about figuring out the best lineup and developing skills now. “So we can get better, so we can have the longest season possible,” Person said. “And that you peak at the right time.”

2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE

HOCKINSON

Coach: Holly Rodriguez

Key players:  Taylor Erickson, so., MH; Elle Tilkin, so., MH; Abby Melo, so., Opp/RS; Jaimee Reagan, sr., OH; Makenzie Blaylock, jr., OH; Emelia Vail, jr., S; Abbie Johnson, jr., S/RS; Brittany Mcguire, fr., MH/RS

Outlook: What the Hawks lack in returning starters, they make up with in height, teamwork and a great work ethic.

MARK MORRIS

Coach: Marcy Gilchrist

Key players: Amber Olson, sr., MB; Alex McCoy, sr., DS; Marissa Hemberry, jr., S; Jamie Isaacson, jr., L; Kiana Scott, so., MB.

Outlook: Former Lower Columbia College coach Gilchrist takes over at Mark Morris this season. And the players and their coach are adjusting to each other.

(Report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

R.A. LONG

Coach: Jennifer Hefley

Key players: : Julia Leggett, sr. L; Natalie Wallace, jr. MH; Madison Vanderwerf, jr., DS; Ryleigh Dobbins, jr., MH; Mikala Fernandez, sr. S.

Outlook: After finishing 4-4 in the 2A GSHL, R.A. Long gets a boost with the return of Dobbins from a knee injury and the addition of Fernandez, a former Rainier (Ore.) player.

(report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

RIDGEFIELD

Coach: Sabrina Dobbs

Key players: Shannon Boyle, sr., OH; Marissa Morris, sr., MB; Karley Beattie, sr., DS; Sam Rice, jr., S; Paige Smith, jr., RS; Ali Serface, jr., MB; Shyanne Chandler, jr., DS; Julia Benville, jr., MB; Emily Parsons, so., OH, Sarena Bartley, fr., OH; Maddy Campbell, fr., DS.

Outlook: Behind first-team all-league performer Shannon Boyle, who Dobbs calls “the strongest outside hitter in the Vancouver area” the Spudders is looking to win the 2A GSHL title again.

WASHOUGAL

No report submitted

 

1A TRICO LEAGUE

CASTLE ROCK

Coach: Jeana Bayes

Key players:  Nicole Seidl, jr., S; Brooke Hoffman, jr., MB.

Outlook: The defending state champions lost several key players to graduation, but the biggest loss in the offseason was the tragic death of sophomore Harlie Desarmo. Coach Bayes says the team will dedicate its season to Desarmo’s memory.

(report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

ILWACO

Coach: Eric Cummins

Key players:  Hannah Ellsworth, so., MH; Darian Johnson, jr., DS/S; Noelle McPhail, sr., DS/S, Jasmine Coffin, jr., OH.

Outlook: The Fisherman’s roster consists of three returning players and 14 freshman and sophomores. Cummins is the fourth coach in four years at Ilwaco.

(report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

KALAMA

Coach: Jeni O’Neil

Key players:  Kallie Schmidt, sr., OH; Maggie West, sr., OH; Haley Bannister, jr., OH; Khloe Clark, jr, L; Averi Dyer, so., OH; Kaelyn Carlson-Shipley, fr., MH.

Outlook: The Chinooks’ return nearly every key contributor from last year’s state tournament team and adds senior Kira Niemi from Manhattan, Mont., and 6-0 freshman Carlson-Shipley.

(Report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN

No report submitted

LA CENTER

Coach: Heather Grotte

Key players:  Alyssa Carnes, sr., MH; Emma Yates, sr., S; Lydia Denney, sr., DS; Morgan Micheletti, sr., OH/DS; Kaela Carnes, jr., MH; Haley Wilson, jr., OH; Hannah McNeal, jr. DS; Carmella DeSean, jr., OH; Sierra Block, so., OH; Madisen Stimmel, fr., OH; Abby England, fr., DS.

Outlook: First-team all-leaguer Carnes leads the Wildcats in 2013.

SETON CATHOLIC

Coach: Kelly Adams

Key players: Ashley Watkins, so. MH/setter; Dore Lagvin, so., OH/RS; Natalie Pederson, so., OH/setter; Katryna Ahloo, jr., RS/DS.

Outlook: Still a young team, but with plenty of experience. With eight returners and four freshmen, Adams expects this to be a more cohesive unit.

STEVENSON

No report submitted

TOLEDO

Coach: Whitny Luchau

Key players: Jessica Kelly, jr., MB; Amanda Boone, jr., MB; Beth Demery, jr., OH; Sarah Subjeck, jr., L/OH; Karlee Coverdell, sr., OH; Darrian Kirkwood, jr., S.

Outlook: Luchau takes over a Toledo program that has just one win in the past three seasons. With several returning varsity players, there is hope for improvement.

(Report courtesy of the Longview Daily News)

WHITE SALMON

No report submitted

WOODLAND

Coach: Jeff Nesbitt

Key players: Nicolette Nesbit, sr., S; Madi Raymond, sr., OH; Haley Yoder, so., MH.

Outlook: The Beavers expect to battle Kalama for the top spot in the West Division as they aim to return to the state tournament.

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