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

By René Ferrán 

Over the following week, we’ll be taking a position-by-position have a look at a number of the prime gamers in Oregon highschool volleyball. Our first listing focuses on the setters.

There are a whole lot of standout volleyball gamers in Oregon and these lists usually are not meant to be complete! Tell us about every other setters you assume needs to be added.

Jackie Carle (Jesuit) picture by Leon Neuschwander 

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S Katiya Arellano, Valley Catholic, Jr.

Arellano made the 4A all-state honorable point out listing as a sophomore, when she took over because the beginning setter for the Cowapa League champion and fourth-place finisher on the state event. She had 290 assists throughout the first month of this season. “Katiya has grown into a robust, assured setter, and he or she runs a stable offense,” stated coach Becky Kemper. “She has a ardour for the sport of volleyball that I really like!”

S/OH Abbigayle Bailey, Damascus Christian, Sr.

Bailey performs reverse Valley 10 participant of the yr Sierra Hale within the rotation, incomes first-team all-league honors final fall, when she had 306 assists, 165 kills and 48 aces. By 15 matches this season, she had 131 assists, 104 kills and 40 aces.

S Hannah Brown, Sherwood, Jr.

Brown shared setting duties with all-state choose Alyssa Kapuniai-Ryan final season, ending with 310 assists, 151 digs and 46 aces. The previous gymnast, who nonetheless can throw a again handspring at apply, has taken over because the No. 1 setter this yr.

S/OH Beaux Bruegman, Sheldon, Sr.

Bruegman is without doubt one of the prime multisport athletes within the state. In addition to being named Southwest participant of the yr and a 6A first-team all-state choice in volleyball as a junior, she additionally was a first-team all-SWC wing for the basketball group. She leads the group with 224 assists and 43 aces, is second in kills (112) and ranks third in digs (99). “She is a participant you need on the courtroom always,” coach Martine Wodke stated. “She is a participant who finds a means.” 

S Jackie Carle, Jesuit, So.

Carle took over because the No. 1 setter as a freshman, making the all-Metro first group. This season, she’s averaging 10.8 assists per set, with simply 36 errors in additional than 1,350 touches. She additionally has 167 digs and 15 aces whereas serving .943. “Jackie is way improved over final season,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee stated. “She’s tenacious on offense and protection.” 

S Meah Carley, Sr., Cascade

Carley final season was a key contributor to the Cougars’ first state championship, making the all-Oregon West and 4A all-tournament first groups. She moved from outdoors hitter to setter this yr to exchange all-state choice Kenna Coleman, and coach Cristina Williams stated, “it seems to be like she has been setting for years. Meah’s athletic capability is one-of-a-kind — she is a pure and only a beast of an athlete — and her volleyball IQ is certainly her robust go well with.” 

S Olivia Doel, West Linn, Jr.

Doel took over for second-team 6A all-state setter Shealyn Cecil this yr and has stored the Lions offense buzzing, operating a 5-1. “Olivia has stepped up in a serious means, being an enormous chief for everybody on the courtroom,” coach Emilie Wilmes stated. “I can’t wait to see how she retains creating all through this yr and into subsequent.” 

S Kensi Erion, Newberg, Sr.

Erion was a second-team all-Pacific choice final season, when she had 502 assists and served at a .930 clip with 30 aces. She’s averaged greater than 20 assists per match this season, once more feeding the state’s No. 1 recruit, outdoors hitter Sophie Gregoire. “Kensi is aware of when to set her go-to hitters, however she’s additionally good sufficient to maneuver the ball round and mess with the protection,” coach Thomas Salness stated. “This yr, her again row play has actually improved, and her passing on D is superb.”

S Hannah Fendall, Sisters, Sr.

Fendall, an all-Oregon West honorable point out choose a yr in the past, returns for final yr’s 4A runner-up and has the Outlaws off to a 19-2 begin after dropping to 3A. “She runs a fast-paced offense with a really gifted entrance line,” coach Rory Rush stated. “She is the vitality on the ground and a frontrunner along with her teammates. She sees the ground effectively and likewise performs nice protection.” 

S/RS Dannika Goss, Tillamook, Jr.

Cheesemakers coach Lavonne Rawe calls Goss the consummate health club rat, “that woman who wouldn’t go house if you happen to didn’t make her. She is wise, hard-working and devoted.”

S/RS Taylor Guerra, Westview, Jr.

Guerra began as a freshman throughout the COVID season and has turn out to be a key member of the assault, setting within the again row and hitting from the correct facet within the entrance row. She made the all-Metro second group final yr and has a team-high 239 assists to go together with 99 digs, 39 kills and 37 aces this season. 

S/MB Asvery Guijosa Gonzalez, Molalla, Sr.

Guijosa Gonzalez made the all-Tri-Valley second group final season, when she had 137 assists, 87 digs and a team-high 38 aces whereas serving .930. She has needed to cut up time between setting and taking part in center blocker this yr due to a season-ending damage to one of many group’s middles. She is ASB President and a senior officer with Future Enterprise Leaders of America. “Asvery is without doubt one of the most gifted volleyball gamers I’ve coached,” stated coach Lauree Nelzen. “Together with her peak (5-10) and setting capability, she is a drive to be reckoned with.” 

S/OH Sierra Hale, Damascus Christian, Sr.

Hale gained Valley 10 participant of the yr honors and was a unanimous choice to the 1A all-tournament group final season, when the Eagles positioned third and he or she completed with 343 kills (4 per set), 328 assists (3.8 per set), 315 digs (3.7) and 106 aces. She led the group in 4 classes by the Eagles’ 15-0 begin — aces (64), kills (128), assists (189) and digs (109). “Her volleyball IQ is extraordinarily excessive, and he or she has an unbelievable drive to win,” coach Emily Russau stated. “She additionally competes at a excessive stage in basketball and monitor, however her love is volleyball, and Sierra has been a frontrunner by instance on this group.” 

S Lexi Herber, Salem Academy, So.

Herber, the youthful sister of all-state center blocker Aly Herber, backed up one other first-team all-state choose in Bailey Pedersen final season, nonetheless making the all-Tri-River third group. This season, she had 333 assists, 113 digs and 33 aces by 15 matches. “Lexi works onerous to put the ball the place her hitters want it,” stated Crusaders coach Melissa Holman. “In addition to her experience as a setter, she constantly ranks within the prime three for aces, digs and kills.” 

S Alexis Haury, Silverton, Jr.

Haury is without doubt one of the Northwest’s prime class of 2024 recruits, already committing to the College of Washington, the place she plans to check drugs with the objective of changing into an anesthesiologist. She led the group in assists (147), digs (163), serving (20 aces, .982 proportion) and hitting proportion (.317 with 73 kills) by the primary month of the season. “Alexis is a tremendous athlete with top-notch onerous work and management, however she is a fair higher younger girl,” stated Foxes coach Reilly-Jane Rosecrans. “She is a caring and passionate one who is at all times working onerous for herself and others.” 

S Gracie Koch, St. Paul, Jr.

Koch was a setting machine for the 1A runner-up Buckaroos final season, recording 832 assists on 2,423 makes an attempt and serving an ace on 26% of her serves (95 of 361). Coach Les Hiller joked that she thinks the first-team all-Casco choice and her twin sister, Stella, “have twin ESP, as a result of what Stella needs to hit, she doesn’t even name it. Gracie simply is aware of.” 

S/OH Marli Lind, Powder Valley, So.

Lind shined as a freshman for the Badgers final season, ending with 228 assists, 233 digs, 85 aces and 78 kills and incomes all-Outdated Oregon honorable point out. Her mom and coach, Marji, is aware of the place to search out her when she’s not taking part in volleyball — simply head to any pond within the close by Blue Mountains and search for Marli holding a fishing pole. “Marli places her coronary heart and soul into the game of volleyball and her group,” Marji stated. “However she is happiest when her teammates are succeeding and celebrates their accomplishments lengthy earlier than her personal.” 

S/RS Alexia Lowe, Mazama, Jr.

Lowe has stepped into the sneakers of two-time Skyline participant of the yr Bridget Fenner, taking part in setter and right-side for the Vikings and main the group with 207 assists (4.7 per set), 44 kills and 29 aces (.939 serving proportion). Assistant coach Sam Fenner praised how Lowe has additionally taken over the management function Bridget crammed final season. “She is studying discover her voice,” Sam Fenner stated. “Alexia is a pushed participant who is an exceptional defender.” 

S Sam McDonald, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Jr.

McDonald acquired 3A all-state honorable point out and first-team all-Lewis & Clark recognition final season, a part of a Hawks youth motion that additionally contains twin sister Ellie at right-side hitter. Sam, who had 254 assists by Sept. 30, additionally ran on two relays on the state monitor meet in Could, inserting seventh within the 4×400. 

S Kamden Mitchell, Crescent Valley, So.

Mitchell shared time at setter with Madison Heagney final season, making the all-Mid-Willamette honorable point out listing and main the Raiders in assists. With Heagney having graduated, Mitchell is now the clear No. 1 on the place, with 382 assists (7.6 per set), 137 digs, 57 kills and 29 aces. “Kam does issues on offense that aren’t seen in a setter her age,” coach Troy Shorey stated. “She is beginning to broaden her setting abilities and full offensive performs that fireside her group up and permit her hitters to achieve success.” 

S/OH Haley Moreschi, David Douglas, Jr.

Moreschi added an attacking function to her setting duties this season, main the Scots in kills and posting a hitting common constantly above 2.0. “Together with being our go-to hitter on the skin, she is a stable setter with nice palms and a really robust server,” coach Janeen Rainey stated. 

S Adrienne Nguyen, St. Mary’s Academy, Jr.

Nguyen has performed on the varsity since her freshman season, incomes second-team all-Three Rivers honors a yr in the past. She performs defensive specialist for her membership group however units all the best way round for the Blues. First-year coach Wendy Stammer credited her protection as “a game-changer for us” and stated “her vitality is infectious. She actually celebrates each level as if it was the state championship.” 

S Adeline Northway, Grant Union, So.

Northway tagged alongside along with her mother, Shanna, to each apply and match when she was Prospectors coach. She put the data she picked up shagging balls on daily basis to efficient use final yr as a freshman, incomes all-Blue Mountain honorable point out and serving to lead the group to a fourth-place end on the 2A state event. “Adeline is an all-around nice volleyball participant,” coach Mariah Moulton stated. “She has been within the health club her entire life, and it reveals on the courtroom.” 

S Natalie Perez, Westview, Sr.

Perez is a part of a deep senior class for the Wildcats which has helped the group begin 17-3. She was a first-team all-Metro choice as a junior and has 178 assists, 61 digs, 20 kills and 19 aces this season. “Natalie has improved her protection and quickness to the ball tremendously,” coach Janelle Brandt stated. “She’s a really good participant on the ground and a robust server.” 

S Hayden Pinard, Roseburg, Sr.

Pinard has been a drive in revving up Roseburg’s assault this season after making the all-Southwest second group a yr in the past. She is averaging 11.7 assists, 2.7 digs and a couple of.2 kills per set whereas serving 98% and main the group in aces. She’s had two matches with 50-plus assists, together with a season-high 53 in a five-set defeat at South Medford.

S Mia Starr, Central Catholic, Sr.

Starr dedicated to UC Davis after a junior season wherein she turned the Rams’ major ball-handler, making the all-Mt. Hood second group and ending with 488 assists, 201 digs, 41 blocks and 78 kills whereas serving at a .956 clip (45 aces). The Rams have struggled with accidents this season, however Starr has been a gradual drive, averaging 6.3 assists per set (208 whole) with simply three errors in her first 501 makes an attempt by Sept. 20. She has a .956 serving proportion (17 aces) and 43 kills. “Mia is an exceptional athlete, teammate and individual,” coach Kayla Hambley stated. “Her expertise is backed up by an unbelievable work ethic and a humble angle.” 

S Kate Stidham, Crater, Sr.

Stidham is a three-time all-Midwestern first-team choice who had 672 assists, 55 kills (.317 hitting proportion), 157 digs and 50 aces as a junior. She has dedicated to Central Washington.

S/OH Nevaeh Thew, Jr., Echo

Thew served because the group’s water woman since grade college, begging to affix the excessive schoolers on the courtroom throughout practices run by her mother, Des. Now, she performs all six rotations for the Cougars, alternating between outdoors and center when she’s not setting. She had 68 kills, 145 assists, 48 aces and 91 digs final season, when she was a first-team all-Large Sky choice, and he or she leads the group in kills this fall — all whereas plying her teammates with baked items she stays up half the night time making. “There are only a few gamers who can do the job she does on the courtroom,” Des Thew stated. 

S/RS Akela Utu, Caldera, So.

The Wolfpack are of their first season as a varsity program, and Utu entered this system as one in all its youngest gamers. Coach Alicia Roe-Rudloff stated that “she has managed to search out her voice and resolve to set the usual for what onerous work, communication and willpower appeared like. She’s the coach when Coach isn’t round — and he or she’s most likely harder.” 

S/OH Lily Wallis, Echo, Sr.

Wallis performs reverse Nevaeh Thew within the Cougars’ 6-2 system, incomes second-team all-Large Sky honors for the convention champion final season whereas ending with 66 kills, 91 digs and 25 aces. She leads the group in assists, blocks and aces this season. Coach Des Thew referred to as her “a sleeper,” however not for her play on the courtroom. “Now we have a common understanding on our group that you just by no means wake Lily up from a nap,” she defined. “Lily is the glue on our group. She is such a constructive chief. She by no means provides up on herself or her teammates.” 

S Ashley Wright, Burns, Jr.

Wright deftly directed the Hilanders assault final season to a 3A state championship, incomes second-team all-state honors. This yr, she has 488 assists (8.4 per set), 101 digs, a team-high 56 aces and 22 blocks. 

S Leila Yazd, Sundown, Jr.

The Apollos haven’t missed a beat following the commencement of first-team all-Metro setter Kayla Than because of Yazd’s emergence. By Sept. 30, she led the group in serving (.936 proportion, 39 aces) and had dished out 184 assists (4.1 per set) whereas sharing setting duties with Chloe Rule.