Oregon’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best hitters

By René Ferrán

Over the following week, we’ll be taking a position-by-position have a look at a few of the prime gamers in Oregon highschool volleyball. Our fourth listing focuses on the surface and proper aspect hitters.

There are tons of of standout volleyball gamers in Oregon and these lists will not be supposed to be complete! Tell us about another hitters you assume must be added. 

Amyah Semau (West Linn) picture by Leon Neuschwander  

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OH Reagan Anderson, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Sr.

Anderson received Lewis & Clark League participant of the 12 months honors and was a first-team all-state choice final season, when she led the Hawks to the 3A quarterfinals. She had 99 kills within the first three weeks of this season earlier than an harm sidelined her.

OH Kendyl Arnett, West Albany, Jr.

Arnett performed reverse state co-player of the 12 months Hailey Heider final season, recording 143 kills in 52 units whereas hitting .338. The three-year varsity participant earned her nickname final 12 months at workforce camp, when she launched herself to the camp director, who misheard her identify. “We now lovingly name her Darrell any time she makes considered one of her loopy, behind her head, backward kills that she is known for,” Bulldogs coach Megan Wallace stated. “Kendyl is so enjoyable to look at. She reads the ball effectively and has an unimaginable understanding of the sport.”

OH Alize Bakker, Westview, Sr.

Bakker is a four-year varsity participant who has performed a giant half in this system’s turnaround from sub-.500 within the Metro her freshman 12 months to a 17-3 begin this season. She made the 6A all-state honorable point out listing final fall and leads the Wildcats this season in kills with 135 to go along with 106 digs and 14 aces. “She is considered one of our go-to hitters, a strong defensive participant within the again row, and a really good participant on the court docket,” coach Janelle Brandt stated. 

OH Ella Baley, Mazama, Sr.

Baley was an honorable point out all-Skyline choice final season and leads the workforce this fall with 109 kills (2.5 per set), 188 digs and 45 aces. She additionally was an all-conference choice in basketball and softball. “Ella is a competitor by and thru,” stated Vikings assistant coach Sam Fenner. “She is without doubt one of the greatest defensive gamers I’ve coached. She has discovered what it means to be a pacesetter and has grown exponentially this 12 months.” 

OH Lucretia Benolken, Cascade, Sr.

Benolken capped a 2021 season during which she earned first-team all-Oregon West and first-team 4A all-state honors with workforce highs of 18 kills and 10 digs in a five-set victory over Sisters within the state ultimate, main the Cougars to their first state title. “She is without doubt one of the greatest leaders for the workforce and is highly effective in every component she brings to the workforce,” coach Cristina Williams stated. “Her serve is hard, her hit is explosive, and her ball management is calm and picked up.”

OH Dallie Jo Bingham, Powder Valley, Sr.

Bingham performed on the precise aspect final season, when she was a first-team all-Outdated Oregon choice with 167 kills, 276 digs, 28 aces (93% serving) and 18 blocks. When she’s not on the court docket, she’s busy serving to on the household ranch, working cows and constructing fences. “Dallie is an incredible younger girl who’s form and compassionate to her teammates,” Badgers coach Marji Lind stated.

OH Kendra Bittle, Crater, Sr.

Bittle, the 6-2 youthful sister of College of Oregon basketball standout Nate Bittle, was a first-team all-Midwestern choice final 12 months, when she led the Comets with 308 kills and hit .357. She has a number of West Coast faculty gives, together with Cal Poly Pomona.

OH Mylee Blake, West Albany, So.

Blake transferred to West Albany this 12 months from Siuslaw, the place she was a second-team all-Sky Em choice as a freshman. Bulldogs coach Megan Wallace praised her ball management and stated “she is effectively on her technique to being an absolute power on the web. She might be a giant a part of our offense this 12 months.” 

OH Emma Brewer, Salem Academy, Fr.

The Crusaders wanted somebody to step into the hitting footwear of graduated all-state first-teamer Aubrey Smith, and Brewer has delivered. She is second on the workforce to all-state center blocker Aly Herber in kills (210) and aces (34) and had a team-high 191 digs by Sept. 26. 

OH Halsey Brummit, Clackamas, Sr.

Brummit was a second-team all-Mt. Hood choice as a junior, when she hit .282 with 394 kills and a 2.2 serve obtain ranking. She has dedicated to play subsequent 12 months at Dominion College of California, a Division II college in San Rafael. Cavaliers coach Nathan Blankenship referred to as her “a pacesetter in each facet on and off the court docket and a staunch supporter of her teammates. Halsey leads by instance and represents her workforce, college and neighborhood with honor and poise.” 

OH Thanvi Chilukuri, Sundown, Jr.

One other member of the Apollos’ robust junior class, she made the all-Metro third workforce as a sophomore center blocker. She moved outdoors this season, and thru Sept. 30, she led the workforce with 111 kills to go along with 11 blocks and 24 digs. 

OH Sara Davies, Sundown, Jr.

The third-team all-Metro choice has had a powerful all-around season for the Apollos, with 109 kills, 66 digs, 23 aces and 11 blocks by Sept. 30. 

OH Frances Eisenhardt, Valley Catholic, Sr.

Eisenhardt was named a Cowapa co-player of the 12 months and a first-team 4A all-state choice in main the Valiants to a fourth-place end on the 2021 state match. She not solely is a fearsome hitter, however she additionally led the workforce in aces (50) and was second in serve obtain passing (2.0 ranking) by the primary month of the season. “Fran is our senior captain and has develop into the participant we depend on, on and off the court docket, for consistency and power,” coach Becky Kemper stated.

OH Sadie Eisert, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Jr.

Eisert made the all-Lewis & Clark second workforce final season for the Hawks and had 107 kills throughout their 13-1 begin this season. She farms blueberries throughout the offseason.

OH Giana Elgaricao, Marist Catholic, So.

Elgaricao burst onto the scene as a freshman, making the all-Sky Em first workforce and main the Spartans to the 4A state playoffs. By the primary three weeks of league play this season, she had a team-high 196 kills, 15 blocks and 25 aces (.920 serving proportion). “Giana is calm underneath stress,” coach Shari Pimental stated. “She may be very coachable and keen to study.” 

RS Addie Emerson, Valley Catholic, So.

The all-Cowapa first-teamer as a freshman has develop into the workforce chief in kills (130 with a .295 hitting proportion) by the primary month of her sophomore season. She was third on the workforce with 29 aces. “Addie has the vertical and the quick left arm that has made her top-of-the-line hitters at any degree,” Valiants coach Becky Kemper stated. “She has labored arduous on her consistency and when to make photographs and when to pummel the ball.” 

OH Maddie Fields, Santiam Christian, Sr.

Fields final season was a second-team 3A all-state choice who helped lead the Eagles to the No. 1 seed within the state match. Coach Kelli Fitzpatrick praised how Fields “has gained much more management along with her hitting and protection since final 12 months. She may be very disciplined and generally overly centered on the court docket, so it’s enjoyable to attempt to get her to smile previous all her seriousness.”

OH Gwen Fife, Sheldon, Sr.

Fife, a College of Utah seaside volleyball commit, made the all-Southwest first workforce final fall and has a team-high 133 kills this season with 112 digs. “Gwen is a good child who likes to compete,” Irish coach Martine Wodke stated.

OH Emily Fulton, Sherwood, Jr.

Fulton was a second-team all-Pacific choice for the Bowmen final season, when she completed with 226 kills, 219 digs and 28 aces. When she’s not enjoying volleyball, she maintains an Instagram account for her canine, Poopy. 

OH Sofia Inexperienced, Mountainside, Sr.

Inexperienced has damaged by this 12 months to develop into one of many Mavericks’ prime offensive weapons, averaging 6.9 kills and a couple of.9 aces per match whereas hitting .256 over the primary month of the season. She can also be a budding felony psychologist who has studiously watched each episode of CSI. “Sofia is an athletic participant with a heavy hand hitting and a strong serve,” coach Lena Chan stated. “Sofia loves enjoying volleyball and aspires to be higher every day she enters the gymnasium.” 

OH Sophie Gregoire, Newberg, Sr.

Gregoire has been one of many state’s prime hitters for the previous three seasons, successful Pacific Convention participant of the 12 months and receiving second-team 6A all-state honors a 12 months in the past, when she had 328 kills, 35 aces, 42 blocks and a 2.2 passer ranking. The 6-3 Gregoire, who can contact a basketball rim along with her method, has dedicated to the College of Oregon. “Her volleyball IQ is off the charts,” Tigers coach Thomas Salness stated. “She is a brilliant participant who’s studying to out-think her opponents. When she’s on the court docket, she is a menace wherever, and she or he is our workforce’s chief — her workforce follows her every night time into battle.” 

RS Bridget Gould, Marshfield, Jr.

It was fairly a coup when Gould, the Midwestern League participant of the 12 months and a first-team 5A all-state choice for North Bend in main the Bulldogs to their first league title final season, transferred down the street to hitch the Pirates this season. Gould has dedicated to the College of Oregon. 

OH Sydney Hamlin, Lakeridge, Jr.

Hamlin was a first-team all-Three Rivers choice final season for the Pacers. Former coach Wendy Stammer, now at TRL rival St. Mary’s Academy, recalled how “Sydney is without doubt one of the kindest, hardest-working gamers, a pure chief on the court docket and an especially proficient outdoors hitter.”

OH Halsie Hempfling, St. Paul, Sr.

Hempfling returns to the Buckaroos lineup after making the all-Casco second workforce final fall — and coach Les Hiller is grateful as a result of Hempfling fortunately organizes all of the workforce actions. On the court docket, she had 147 kills and a 92% service charge. 

OH Addie Hoover, West Linn, Sr.

Hoover made the 6A all-state honorable point out listing as a right-side hitter final season, however she has moved this 12 months to workforce with Belmont commit Amyah Semau as a robust 1-2 combo outdoors. “Addie is without doubt one of the smartest gamers on the court docket relating to the place to put the ball on the opposite aspect,” Lions coach Emilie Wilmes stated.

OH Hallee Hughes, Willamina, Sr.

Hughes is a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs, having received 3A state titles within the discus and javelin final spring and incomes Coastal Vary participant of the 12 months and second-team all-state honors whereas averaging 18 kills and eight digs per match. She’s additionally an avid gamer, along with her favorites together with Minecraft, Zombies and Ark. “Her skill to organize for competitors within the weight room and through observe exhibits her versatility of athletic abilities past any athlete on the 3A degree,” stated her coach and mom, Heather Hughes. “She competes fiercely and raises her teammates round her with assist and fixed optimistic suggestions.”

OH Bella Jacobson, Crescent Valley, So.

Jacobson was considered one of three freshmen who performed vital roles in main the Raiders to a fourth-place end on the 5A state match, making the all-state second workforce. She has a team-high 162 kills (3.6 per set) and 38 aces this season with 137 digs. “She has actually improved her serving this 12 months by getting extra aces and serving extra from the road,” coach Troy Shorey stated. “She is a perfectionist, so she pushes herself to be at her greatest always.”

OH Mackenzie King, Burns, Jr.

King was a first-team all-state choice for the 3A state champion Hilanders final fall, when she had 377 kills and 43 blocks. She has battled harm and sickness this season, enjoying in solely 35 of 61 units, however when she’s been on the court docket, she’s been an offensive power — 148 kills (4.2 per set), 18 blocks, 29 aces and 81 digs. “She positively brings the workforce extra confidence when she’s on the court docket,” coach Paula Toney stated.

OH Madison Kocina, Crater, Sr.

As a junior, Kocina led the Comets in hitting proportion (.363) with 196 kills in incomes all-Midwestern first-team honors. She has a suggestion from Southern Oregon.

OH Kaytlyn Lebeck, Westview, Sr.

Wildcats coach Janelle Brandt referred to as Lebeck, who made the all-Metro second workforce final fall, “a really constant participant on the court docket” who has 67 kills this season.

OH Elise Linderman, Santiam Christian, Sr.

Linderman was captain for a younger Eagles squad final season, and now she serves as captain of an skilled group that began this season 13-3. “She has finished an unimaginable job of conserving the workforce on observe on and off the court docket,” coach Kelli Fitzpatrick stated. “She’s excellent at attending to unimaginable balls and making it look straightforward. She loves this sport and makes everybody round her higher due to it.” 

OH Lily Lindsey, Weston-McEwen, Sr.

Lindsey is a two-way menace for the TigerScots, making the all-Blue Mountain honorable point out listing as a junior with 323 digs, 125 kills and 34 aces. “Lily is athletic and really dynamic each as a defender and hitter,” coach Shawn White stated.

OH Isabella Lowe, Mazama, Jr.

Lowe has benefitted from most of the units delivered by twin sister Alexia this season, rating second on the workforce in kills (80) to go along with 91 digs and 19 aces. “Isabella has labored arduous to include an array of assaults from the surface place,” stated assistant coach Sam Fenner. “She is an unimaginable defender, very like her sister, and no ball is ever out of attain.”

OH Finley Marine, Portland Christian, Fr.

Marine has the right final identify for the work ethic she has displayed throughout the first month of her varsity profession. For instance, sooner or later, because the Royals toiled in a scorching gymnasium with no air-con, first-year coach Denetia Chimuku deliberate a lightweight observe schedule. As an alternative, Marine volunteered your entire workforce to run laps on the observe. “The ladies weren’t so pleased about it, however Finley was probably the most excited,” Chimuku recalled. “Finley is a fierce and pushed athlete who has a lot potential. I can not wait to see what these 4 years have in retailer for her.” 

OH Elsa McDermott, Catlin Gabel, Sr.

McDermott is a two-time all-Lewis & Clark first-team choice who made the 3A all-state first workforce final fall, when the Penn commit completed with 267 kills, 245 digs, 71 aces and a 2.09 serve-receive ranking in main the Eagles to a third-place end on the state match. Within the spring, her membership workforce completed fifth at nationals, whereas McDermott additionally performed her technique to the 4A/3A/2A/1A state tennis match with doubles accomplice Mia Rumsfeld, successful the comfort title regardless of restricted observe and coaching. “Elsa’s excessive sport IQ and all-around talents make her a useful a part of Eagles volleyball and simply one of many prime gamers in 3A,” coach Jeannette Lee stated. “I all the time stay up for seeing what she pulls out of her bag of methods.”

RS Ellie McDonald, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Jr.

Hawks coach Jay Lazaro referred to as McDonald, a first-team all-Lewis & Clark choice final season, “our only server and statistical hitter” and predicted she’ll be a lawyer sooner or later.

OH Tatum Montiel, Marshfield, So.

Montiel made the all-Sky Em first workforce as a freshman, ending with 387 kills, 200 digs and 66 aces in 19 matches. An opposing coach instructed Pirates coach (and Montiel’s mom) Tammie Montiel, “I’d not wish to be on the opposite aspect of the online from Tatum. She is so highly effective, however she additionally sees the court docket and is a brilliant participant.”

OH Gracelyn Myhre, Sisters, Jr.

Myhre took on a much bigger function final season when all-state hitter Greta Davis went down with an harm, ending the 12 months with a 10-kill, 10-dig efficiency in a five-set loss to Cascade within the 4A state ultimate. Outlaws coach Rory Rush described her as “a well-rounded participant who provides a lot to our workforce. She has a robust assault however can see the ground effectively and use the various instruments in her toolbox to place the ball down. She’s additionally top-of-the-line defenders and servers within the league.”

OH Ceanna O’Loughlin, Jesuit, Sr.

O’Loughlin was a first-team all-Metro choice for final 12 months’s 6A runner-up and leads the Crusaders in kills (227) and hitting proportion (.327) this season, including 126 digs and 17 aces whereas serving .917. She has dedicated to Colorado State College at Pueblo. “She has been phenomenal attacking for us this season,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee stated. 

OH Isabel Patterson, Jesuit, Sr.

Patterson made the all-state second workforce final fall and is an all-around weapon for the Crusaders throughout their 19-0 begin this season. The College of Oregon commit for each indoor and seaside has 151 kills, 162 digs and 30 aces with a team-high .969 serving proportion. “Isabel has been super for us,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee stated. “She and Ceanna give us a strong, constant, dynamic duo for different groups to need to give attention to.” 

OH Macey Pine, McDaniel, Sr.

Pine made the all-PIL second workforce final season and led the Mountain Lions to a 10-5 begin this season as they chase their first playoff berth since 2009. “Macey is without doubt one of the most nonchalant gamers,” coach Kyla Henry stated. “She all the time has a one-liner in her again pocket that actually catches me unexpectedly. However she is an incredible athlete — you may put her in any place on the court docket, and she or he might be profitable.” 

OH Rowan Reilly, Silverton, Sr.

Reilly moved outdoors from the center (the place she made the all-Mid-Willamette honorable point out listing final fall), and she or he had a team-high 86 kills and 127 digs within the season’s first month. “Rowan is continually wanting to enhance and by no means takes a rep or observe with no consideration,” Foxes coach Reilly-Jane Rosecrans stated. “She is a selfless chief who’s keen to place her workforce over herself.”

OH Amyah Semau, West Linn, Sr.

Semau performed reverse 6A participant of the 12 months Emily Warmenhoven on final 12 months’s state championship workforce, incomes all-Three Rivers honorable point out. She’s going to comply with Warmenhoven to Belmont College. “Amyah has been an incredible chief on the workforce this 12 months,” Lions coach Emilie Wilmes stated. “She has stepped up right into a six-rotation participant and has a big effect on offense and protection.”

OH Madison Sherby, Hillsboro, Fr.

Sherby already has carved out a number one function for the Spartans. She averages 10 kills per match (with a season excessive of 25), is without doubt one of the workforce’s prime serve receivers, and regardless of by no means setting beforehand stepped into the breach after the workforce’s beginning setter sustained an harm. “Madison stepped up and performed a place she by no means had and led our workforce,” coach Suzan Hopman stated. 

OH Paige Theis, Oregon Metropolis, So.

Theis was a second-team all-Three Rivers choice as a freshman, serving to the Pioneers attain the 6A quarterfinals for the primary time since 2010. By Sept. 29, she was hitting .415 with 234 kills for the TRL leaders. “Paige is a dynamic participant each on and off the court docket,” coach Erica Frafjord stated. “Her skill to finish factors rapidly has actually helped our workforce achieve success this season.” 

OH Gracie Vohs, Sisters, Jr.

In spite of everything-state hitter Greta Davis went down with an harm final season, the Outlaws turned to Vohs to develop into their foremost menace within the assault — and she or he delivered, main the workforce to the 4A state ultimate (the place she was named participant of the match in a five-set loss to Cascade) and making the all-state first workforce. “Gracie is a dynamic and highly effective hitter on the surface,” coach Rory Rush stated. “She is a game-changer and a go-to after we want a ball put away.” 

OH/MB Hannah Wilborn, Mountainside, Sr.

Wilborn acquired all-Metro third-team honors final fall, when she confirmed marked enchancment over the second half of the season. Throughout the first month of this season, she averaged 6.3 kills per match whereas hitting .252. “Hannah provides nice power to our workforce,” Mavericks coach Lena Chan stated. “She is all the time searching for methods to pump her workforce up.”