Three Players Who Could be Key to King’s Returning to the 1A State Championship Match
The 2019 season ended two points short of perfect for King’s. The lost a heartbreaking fifth set against Chelan by a score of 15-17. It was the third time that Chelan and King’s had played each other for the 1A…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 season ended two points short of perfect for King’s. The lost a heartbreaking fifth set against Chelan by a score of 15-17. It was the third time that Chelan and King’s had played each other for the 1A state championship. It was the second year in a row that the King’s season ended in a two point loss in the fifth set. In 2018 they were knocked out of the state semifinals by Charles Wright Academy, 13-15.
Their last championship was in 2017, when they took down Cascade of Leavenworth in four sets to claim the title. Head coach Bart Foley has created a culture of success at King’s. In 2020, they will be faced with the huge challenge of replacing outside hitter Allie Hansen, setter Ava Mason and outside hitter Katy Rettenmier. Here are three players that can step up and get King’s back to the top of the 1A division.
Noelle Alberda, 5’11”, Middle/Outside, Class of 2021
Noelle spent her abbreviated club season with Sudden Impact. It will be interesting to see if she plays in the middle or at outside hitter for King’s in the fall. Most likely, she will be wherever coach Foley thinks that she can do the most to provide much needed offense to replace his graduating class.
Caitlin Ware, 5’ 11”, Outside Hitter/Middle, Class of 2021
Ware prefers to play outside hitter and that is likely the starting position she will be competing for in the fall. Her connection with setter Hannah Hawkins could see her used as a valuable asset in the middle if Abby Nelson is able to step into a productive outside hitter role.
Abby Nelson, 5’ 9”, Outside Hitter, Class of 2022
Nelson is unorthodox and will have to find consistency in her performance to earn a starting spot in the King’s lineup. If she is able to hit and pass at a high level, it will open up a wide variety of options for coach Foley and his offense. Nelson has the ability to be a contributor at the varsity level. Her ability to do it consistently could be the single biggest factor in King’s return to glory in 2020.
On October 7th King’s is scheduled to face Kingco 4A Powerhouse North Creek in a non-league match. After that challenge the King’s team will likely know what needs to be done for them to make a run to the state title.