Meet Paige Thies, #2 2025 Recruit
Name: Paige Thies Paige Thies 6'2" | OH Oregon City | 2025 State #39 Nation OR
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 5’11”
High School: Oregon City
Club: North Pacific Juniors
Flashback to club season a few years ago, when Paige Thies Paige Thies 6'2" | OH Oregon City | 2025 State #39 Nation OR was a lanky, powerful, 6th grader playing for NW Elite 12-1. Competing against this team was OJVA 12-2, coached by me. I could not help but look across the net and notice their outside hitter. She was unstoppable. After the match wrapped up and the tournament came to a close, I made a point to find this player. I introduced myself, and she introduced herself as Paige Thies Paige Thies 6'2" | OH Oregon City | 2025 State #39 Nation OR , with mom standing by. I had to tell them how impressed I was watching Paige, her athleticism, her power, and her positive energy on the court was hard to miss. I wished her luck and hoped to see her on the court in the future.
Three years later, Thies is dominating for North Pacific Juniors and Oregon City High School.
I knew this kid was going to have a bright future in the sport, she was a natural. I was excited to see where she would play club and where she would land for high school. I made sure to follow her volleyball journey because I knew she was going to be good. But to be THIS good, exceeded all expectations.
During her 8th grade club season, she actually played up an age group and competed with NPJ 15-1 National. She was the outside hitter that could not be kept off the court, she played all six rotations, doing everything and more offensively and defensively for the team.
For the high school season, she was determined to make it on the varsity squad for Oregon City, and she did. The only freshman to make varsity, she is contributing mightily to the team. She is a key component to this team’s success, a team that is currently sitting at #6 in State rankings.
I had the chance to email back and forth with Thies, and she answered some questions for us:
- Why did you choose to play volleyball?
My mom put me in a volleyball camp when I was in 2nd grade because I hadn’t really liked any of the other sports I had tried to play. The lady that ran the camp made it super fun and I loved being there. She then asked if I would be on her team for the rec season, so I thought “why not”. I had no idea that I would fall in love with the sport so fast. I realized that I picked up on volleyball faster than other sports, so that made it fun. When I decided to play club, volleyball got more competitive and I really liked that. My love for the sport grew, due to the intensity and competitiveness of club volleyball. Meeting new friends that have the same passion as me has been a bonus.
2. What is your favorite volleyball memory?
There are so many memories so it’s hard to choose just one. I remember making the highest level 12s team as a 10 year old, serving out a set at regionals that was 16-24 and winning the set, serving out a 25-0 set, and even my first travel tournament. However, one memory that always sticks out and makes me excited just thinking about it was my first trip to Nationals. It was so exciting to spend a week in Vegas with my teammates. We not only got to get dressed up and go out to a fancy restaurant, walk around and see all the cool stuff, but we also got to play against the best teams in the country. I’d been to many travel tournaments, and played against really good teams, but at Nationals they were ALL good teams, at all age levels, it was crazy. The intensity of the play, the excitement of the crowd, the level of passion we all had for the same sport was so cool. My team and I played our hearts out and gave everything, lots of sweat and tears, I had never experienced something so intense before. I’ll never forget it and I can’t wait to do it all again!
- What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
The best piece of advice I have been given was from my closest mentor. The key thing about sports, and volleyball, is LOVING THE SPORT. If you love the sport, you will grow as a player and a teammate. If you love the sport you will make memories that last forever. If you love the sport, you will fight for yourself, your team and never give up. If you love the sport then playing is for fun, not a chore and the outcome will always be in your favor. I love this advice because it’s true, enjoying what I do and truly being happy as soon as I step foot in a gym is what it’s all about. Everything else goes away when I play.
- What are your goals for your volleyball career?
My hope for the future is to continue to work hard and earn a spot on national teams and to earn a bid to Nationals as many years as possible. I would like to continue to be on Varsity and contribute to the team in the best possible way that would benefit the team and lead us to the highest level of competition possible. I hope to not only grow as a player, but also a teammate that others will be able to rely on and turn to when needed. My ultimate goal is to be able to play at a high collegiate level, with an amazing group of girls and have the experience of a lifetime.