Thursday Match to Watch: Wilbur-Creston-Keller vs Odessa

<p>It’s that time of the year again! The high school volleyball season is progressing at full pace in the state of Washington and we’re all enjoying all the exciting prospects of the Evergreen State in action once again.</p> <p>Twice a week, we’ll use this space to recommend some matches to keep and eye on and, most importantly, some of the most interesting prospects you’ll want to watch if you have an opportunity.</p> <p>Here goes our recommendation for Thursday, October 28:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Wilbur-Creston-Keller vs Odessa – 6pm</strong></p> <p>The Wildcats from the Wilbur-Creston-Keller High School in Creston are up to a solid campaign this season, having won eight and lost four matches so far. Head coach Brandi Maioho and her players rank fifth in the 1B Northeast District with six positive and three negative results in league play.</p> <p>The Lady Tigers from the Odessa High School are just one spot ahead, ranking fourth in the 1B Northeast District after they won nine times, including a sweep against the Wildcats less than two weeks ago, and lost just twice. Coach Suzie Deife and her players hold a solid 18-5 win record for the season at this point.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Players to Watch – Wilbur-Creston-Keller</strong></p> <p><strong>Karsen Brashears – Outside Hitter – 2024</strong></p> <p>Karsen Brashears has brought good value for the Wildcats in several areas of the game. A 5’7” outside hitter, she’s been in top form this season and has been checking all the boxes for a player in her position. Brashears leads the team in kills (53), aces (43) and blocks (15) and ranks second in digs (33) and third in passes (50).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kaidyn Maioho – Middle Blocker/Setter - 2025</strong></p> <p>Kaidyn Maioho is another example of a player who’s been contributing to Wilbur-Creston-Keller in a variety of different ways. A 5’9” freshman, she’s been splitting time between middle blocker and setter duties and has been doing a good job in both positions. Maioho has been solid on offense, with 51 kills and an impressive 50.5% kill rate, and also produced 31 aces, 11 blocks, 20 digs, 44 assists and 27 passes.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Players to Watch – Odessa</strong></p> <p><strong>Emily Scrupps – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Club: North Central Washington Volleyball Club – 2022</strong></p> <p>A six-footer who’s capable of playing as both an outside hitter or a middle blocker, Emily Scrupps is Odessa’s most important player when it comes to scoring points. She’s been leading the Lady Tigers in kills this season with 177 (2.9 per set) but is also helping the team in other areas, having generated 124 digs, 167 passes and 50 aces.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ashlyn Neilsen – Outside Hitter – 2023</strong></p> <p>A setter in her first season of high school volleyball, Ashlyn Neilsen has successfully transitioned to the outside hitter position and is now, alongside Scrupps, a key contributor all across the board for Odessa. The 5’7” prospect has also reached triple digits in three different skills, having tallied 131 kills, 137 digs and 218 passes to go with 68 aces, 13 blocks and 50 assists.</p>