Class 2B: Top Teams – Tri-Cities Prep
The next high school volleyball season won’t start in Washington until March 2021, but there’s absolutely no reason why we should wait until there to know more about the best teams in each class. In this series, we’ll dissect each…
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Continue ReadingThe next high school volleyball season won’t start in Washington until March 2021, but there’s absolutely no reason why we should wait until there to know more about the best teams in each class. In this series, we’ll dissect each of the state’s six divisions by analyzing the top teams and the most promising players and what we can expect from them when the balls are finally allowed to fly. As our series reaches its fourth week, it’s time to address Class 2B.
Tri-Cities Prep
Back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the last two editions of the State Championships have cemented Tri-Cities Prep’s condition as one of the top teams in the division. The Lady Jaguars will have a tough job in replacing the outstanding production of graduated middle-blocker and last year’s All-State first-team member Emily Dickson at the net, but they seem to have the tools to remain competitive for another season.
Their three key players are:
Mariah Valencia – Setter – Senior
Mariah Valencia was the setter who guided Tri-Cities Prep to back-to-back State Championship semifinal appearances and she did that by showing the precision and the leadership you would expect to see from an elite player on her position. Her play for the Lady Jaguars in 2019 was particularly impressive and it landed her an All-State second-team selection, but the 5’3” setter, who’s also a good basketball player, will be challenged in the next season as she’ll need to re-structure the team’s offense without Dixon.
Makenna Brandner – Outside Hitter – Senior
Makenna Brandner is the obvious candidate to replace Dixon’s offensive production for Tri-Cities Prep in the upcoming season. At 6’1”, the outside hitter certainly has the physical tools to do so and she already helped the departed senior in carrying the team’s offensive load in several matches last season, giving the Lady Jaguars the hope she’s up for the task.
Sophie Dilly – Libero/Defensive Specialist – Senior
If Tri-Cities Prep’s offense will need to go through some noticeable changes in the upcoming season, their defensive system should continue as good as it’s recently been as libero Sophie Dolly will remain for another season. The 5’6” defender has been extremely solid for the Lady Jaguars and is expected to, at the very least, keep the great level in her last season of high school volleyball.