Three 5A High School Programs to Watch in 2021

With the high school season (FINALLY) right around the corner, these three 5A teams are sure to dominate their way to the 5A State Tournament. But just how far will they go? [caption id="attachment_130261" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-130261" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Ridgeview-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Ridgeview High School After placing second in the 5A State tournament in 2018 and winning the 5A State Championship in 2019, the Ridgeview High School Ravens have a good shot at winning a state title in 2021. Although the Ravens lost six rotation powerhouse Rylee Troutman (now playing at Corban University), they are still returning some key players. Their starting libero last season, [player_tooltip player_id="91169" first="Ally" last="Henry"], who received both Intermountain First Team All-League as well as 5A Second Team All-State, will be returning having played for Central Oregon Volleyball Club during the off-season. They will also be returning one of their setters, Kennedy Buckner, who received Intermountain First Team All-League, running a 6-2 alongside then senior Allicitie Frost. In the front row, the will be returning middle blocker and captain Brooklyn DeChent, as well as three junior attackers (Jenna Albrecht, Sadie Green, and Kate West) and senior Paige Pentzer. Their coach Randi Viggiano was awarded Intermountain Conference Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to lead the Ravens this season. It will be exciting to see if they are able to make it to the 5A State finals for the third season in a row. Key Players: 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91169" first="Ally" last="Henry"], 5’4", DS, Central Oregon Volleyball Club [player_tooltip player_id="91141" first="Brooklyn" last="DeChent"], 5’9", MB, North Pacific Juniors Kennedy Buckner, 5’6”, S, Central Oregon Volleyball Club [caption id="attachment_132772" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-132772" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/west-albany-logo-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] West Albany High School Although the West Albany High School Bulldogs placed fifth in the 5A State tournament last season, they only graduated three seniors last year so they have a good chance of making it further this season. The Bulldogs are returning all of their heavy hitters and only have one gap in their line-up: the libero. Last season this position was held by Sydney Backer, but with two defensive specialists already on their roster, the back row will be in good hands. Outside hitter 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91144" first="Madie" last="Dowell"], who received Mid-Willamette First Team All-League, and 5A Second Team All-State accolades, was a vital part of both their offense and defense. She be returning alongside 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91217" first="Hailey" last="Heider"], who originally was on the junior varsity team but was brought up to the Bulldogs varsity roster and made a huge impact on the team. Heider recently made the North Pacific Juniors 18-1 National team, one of two juniors on the team. In the middle, they will have four stellar options, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91239" first="Gracie" last="Boeder"], Mid-Willamette Second Team All-League, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91298" first="Grace" last="Nealy"], 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="116501" first="Cadence" last="Crumal"], and 2021 Bella Marsh, Mid-Willamette Honorable Mention. Last season Boeder and Marsh were the starting middle blockers for the Bulldogs, however, Nealy and Crumal have made substantial improvements to their game during the offseason. Last season a bulk of the offense was run by 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91122" first="Elijah" last="Sanders"], a Mid-Willamette First Team All-League and 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection, with 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91243" first="Sydney" last="Harrington"] stepping into the setters position when needed. Another impact player for the Bulldogs is their right side, [player_tooltip player_id="91165" first="Hannah" last="Stadstad"], Mid-Willamette First Team All-League, and Southern Oregon University commit, who racked up 293 kills last season. Their coach Kelli Backer was awarded Mid-Willamette Conference Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to guide the Bulldogs this season. With a stacked roster, it will be exciting to see just how far the Bulldogs go. Key Players: 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91122" first="Elijah" last="Sanders"], 5’10, S, North Pacific Juniors, [player_tooltip player_id="91165" first="Hannah" last="Stadstad"], Southern Oregon University Bella Marsh, 5,11", MB, North Pacific Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="91144" first="Madie" last="Dowell"], 5’8", OH/DS, North Pacific Juniors 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91243" first="Sydney" last="Harrington"], 5’11", S/RS, North Pacific Juniors, [player_tooltip player_id="91239" first="Gracie" last="Boeder"], 5’11", MB, North Pacific Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="91217" first="Hailey" last="Heider"], 5’9", OH/DS, North Pacific Juniors [caption id="attachment_130265" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-130265" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Wilsonville-e1613365915957-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Wilsonville High School Although falling to the Ridgeview High School Ravens in the 5A State finals last season, the Wilsonville High School Wildcats were dominant in league going 14-0. They have a good shot at making it far into the State tournament, if not all the way. Their two heavy hitters and all-around studs, 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91111" first="Clarissa" last="Klein"] and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91206" first="Ashli" last="Edmiston"] will be returning for the Wildcats. Klein is #6 in PrepDig rankings, who recently committed to St. Mary’s College, was awarded Northwest Oregon First Team All-League, and 5A Second Team All-State. Edmiston is #2 in PrepDig rankings and was awarded Northwest Oregon Second Team All-League. It is safe to say their outside will be in good hands. Also returning is starting middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="91247" first="Tatum" last="Lubisich"] who spent the offseason training alongside Edmiston with Athena 16-1 National. The two big holes in their line-up will be the starting libero (previously 2020 Gracie Thompson) and the starting setter (previously 2020 Kennedy Juranek) spots. Luckily, 2022 defensive specialist Sophia Kleckner has spent the offseason training for NW Elite and may be able to fulfill that role. The Wildcats also suited up one freshman last season, [player_tooltip player_id="91318" first="Makenna" last="Wiepert"], who made a big impact on the service line for them. However, with the setter’s position up for grabs, Wiepert may be able to take the reins, training as a setter/right side with Athena 15-1 National during the off-season. Their coach Nathan Blankenship was awarded Northwest Oregon Conference Co-Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to steer the Wildcats this season. With a dominant offense, the Wildcats have a great chance at making it all the way to the 5A State finals again. Key Players: 2021 Clarissa Klein, 6’1", OH/RS, Wilsonville High School, North Pacific Juniors, St. Mary’s College 2022 Ashli Edmiston, 5’8", OH, Athena Volleyball Academy Tatum Lubisich, 5’11", MB, Athena Volleyball Academy 2023 Makenna Wiepert, 5’6", S/RS, Athena Volleyball Academy