Season Preview: 3A Teams to Watch
The 3A Division in Washington State regularly produces teams that win matchups head to head against their 4A counterparts. These four teams all bring back experience from the state tournament last year, and the players, coaching, and winning DNA to…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 3A Division in Washington State regularly produces teams that win matchups head to head against their 4A counterparts. These four teams all bring back experience from the state tournament last year, and the players, coaching, and winning DNA to finish with a trophy again in November.
MEAD
The Panthers from the north side of Spokane lose the 3A Player of the year, team leader, and setter in Maddi Zorn, who is now playing in the WCC at St. Marys. They have several pieces back to help fill the gaps, starting with all-state performer Cassie Moeller on the outside. Moeller is versatile with a big arm and recently signed with Western Washington along with returning MB Danikah Johnson. Johnson has a high contact point and was critical in the team’s late-season success. Brielle Wilson is a lefty setter who has plenty of experience running the show and can swing from the right side as well. Rising sophomore Ava Durgan will give the team another lengthy, explosive option coming out of the middle position. Mead travels to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix at the end of September.
KELSO
Rielee Gourde is an outstanding defender for the Hilanders, and gives the team an effective option as an attacker as well. The GSHL all-league performer is just one of the returners who will be called upon to replace the departed Bella Hadaller along the front line. Presley Nippert brings height and power to the court, a 6’1 lefty who plays above the net with power- she will be a tough matchup for any opponent this season. Annalee Johnson is another rock-solid defender, and Olivia Chilton is an imposing blocker who showed well at times last season.
MT. SPOKANE
The era of the Allen sisters has come to a close at Mt. Spokane, with standout Teila Allen headed to play her freshman season at San Jose State. Sister Tia Allen is now a sophomore at St. Martins. In the five years they spent at Mt. Spokane, the team won two state titles in the only two years they were together on the court, with the third year being lost to pandemic restrictions in 2020. The other two years produced a third and fifth place trophy. That is an amazing five-year run!
Lina Ama will lead the way this year for the Wildcats. The setter/right side has signed with Chaminade for next year and has sweet hands to go along with excellent defense and volleyball IQ. She should have a huge year with league MVP a possibility. Maggie Degenhart is an athletic outside who can fill in at any position along the front line. Willow Almquist was excellent in the DS/Libero spot and should take the role full-time. Jordyn Williams will be asked to provide firepower along the front line and the excellent beach player should provide terminal swings from either the middle or the pin.
LAKESIDE
A roster full of returning stars is in place for the Lions out of the 3A Metro league. Yazzy Muhammad is the overwhelming force in the middle at 6’2 with a real fire to her game. Emily Dean patrols the back line in the libero spot, and do everything outside Rebecca DePencier is another returning all-state performer. DePencier is a tough, skilled six-rotation player who plays gritty defense. Sophia Broesamle is a competitive, athletic pin who played against some of the best teams in the nation during the club season. Don’t be surprised if the loaded Lakeside team ends up in the top three at state this year.