Season Preview: 2B and 1B Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season in Washington State has kicked off, with most teams leaping into pre-season schedules this week. Tuesday and Thursday both have over 100 matches scheduled around the state, and the B schools are the last division to preview before regular season coverage, players rankings, tournament coverage, and more begins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First the 2B contenders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LA CONNOR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The La Connor team is led by a big-time B school and any school talent, senior <strong>Elle Marble</strong>, the player of the year in 2021. Marble has been playing high-level club and has committed to play next year at Central Washington. It's her rocket of a right arm from the outside combined with great defense and feel for the game that puts La Connor in the driver's seat for another state title. Returning All-State selection <strong>Makayla Herrera</strong> has terrific size and is a great option as an attacker in the middle, and led the team in blocks last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493171' first='Morgan' last='Huizenga']</strong> is versatile and can swing from pin to pin and the middle when called upon. <strong>Josie Harper</strong> is another senior returning middle who is experienced as a blocker. The Braves will be putting a new setter in place, but with the attacker options available will be heavily favored to repeat in Yakima this November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COLFAX</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth place finishers a year ago, Colfax has a long tradition of state trophies and tremendous players to lean on. Junior setter/outside <strong>Lauryn York</strong> is the leader of the Bulldog attack going into this season. The rising junior is intense, fundamentally sound, and has a great motor, her effort and energy will pace the team. <strong>Brynn McGaughy</strong> is a rising sophomore with strength in the middle and should continue to excel as a blocker while improving as an offensive player. <strong>Jaisha Gibb</strong> returns as the libero and one of the leading defenders in the Northwest League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/73t-lIN47ac","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/73t-lIN47ac </div><figcaption>Lauryn York</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KALAMA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had just one senior on last year's state tournament team, hoping to finish in the top eight after going 1-2 last year at the SunDome. The Chinooks <strong>Rhegan O'Neil</strong> is just one of four All-League players returning, and the crafty setter is the engine for the team. She plays great defense, and is dynamic in her offensive game, scoring from the front row and on smart dumps and shots. <strong>Kendal Collins</strong> is a defender who always seems to get a hand on a ball just when it looks like it's going down for a point. She is solid in serve receive and will be a go-to attacker this season again, after being named to the All-State team a year ago. <strong>Irene Martinez</strong> is another returning attacker who plays big for the Chinooks. <strong>Alena Ross</strong> on the right side and libero <strong>Taylor Hoggatt</strong> return and lend even more experience to the squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhegan O'Neil Recruiting Profile: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kendal Collins Recruiting Profile: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OAKESDALE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only 3 seniors depart for the undefeated state champions of 2021, and player of the year <strong>Gianna Anderson </strong>will lead the way at outside hitter. She is a senior with extensive big game experience for the Nighthawks and is excellent in all phases of the game. Do everything setter/attacker <strong>Payton Davis</strong> is a tough matchup on the pin, she has a heavy arm when she swings, and sweet hands when running the offense. <strong>Jessie Reed</strong> is back for her senior season after an injury, she is uber-athletic and always brings the energy on the court. <strong>Marilla Hocket</strong> returns in the middle, and setter <strong>Samatha Holling</strong> runs the offense along with Davis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOSSYROCK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>336 kills, 367 digs, 57 aces, and 53 blocks thrown in just for good measure. Those are the numbers for returning player of the year <strong>Payton Torrey</strong>, but her influence on the Mossyrock squad is bigger than just stats can covey. She is a big-time performer when it counts and sets the winning tone for the Vikings. Her all-around game is a big reason Mossyrock should be in the hunt for a state trophy. <strong>Paige Houghtelling</strong> is her partner on the outside, with good size for the position and <strong>Hailey Brooks </strong>is athletic in the middle, giving the team another attacking option. Both setters return to run the 6-2,<strong> Caelyn Marshall</strong> and<strong> Erin Cournyer</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MARY WALKER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Audrey Wellhausen</strong> is back for the Chargers, and the now over 6' attacker will be used across the front line as the main offensive option. She has great length and will surprise teams with a good package of varied shots. <strong>Macey Gines</strong> is an experienced setter, she uses her smarts and quick feet to make plays all over the court. <strong>Kylie Erickson</strong> is the other 6' bookend for the team, giving Mary Walker impressive size along the pins. <strong>Tia Cates</strong> will see extensive time on the court and is a skilled passer, versatile enough to swing when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->