Volleyball coaches 2013 preseason reports

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.