Week 1 High School Standouts

With high school season finally starting up here in Oregon, it is time to start highlighting some players who are contributing majorly to their high school team.   Below are the athletes from week one who stepped up and were a major factor in the team's success.   Haley Ayala l Sheridan High School l 2023 l 5'6” l OH/S    Ayala received a nod from another coach for her standout play for the Sheridan High School Spartans. A four-year varsity starter, she has juggled a few different positions over the course of her time on the team. This season she is being utilized as a six-rotation outside hitter. With a hammer of an arm and scrappy, all-out play, on the defensive end, her skills prove critical to the Spartans.    [player_tooltip player_id='162012' first='Natalie' last='Baker'] l Clatskanie High School l 2025 l 5'7” l MB l Pacwest Volleyball Academy   Baker is a vital aspect of the Clatskanie High School Tigers as an all-around middle blocker. In the team's season opener vs Warrenton, Baker has a huge match and posted some impressive numbers. She has 12 kills, 5 total blocks, 15 digs, and an average serve receive rating of 2.38, having to pass over a third of all the serves.    [player_tooltip player_id='268773' first='Ellie' last='Bartel'] l Crosshill Christian l 2026 l 5'11" l OH    Bartel is making a major impact as a freshman for the Crosshill Christian Eagles. Playing all-around as an outside hitter, she is taking charge and leading the team in both total swings and number of kills. During the Eagle's first week of play, she posted 16 kills, with a 30% kill rating, had 9 service aces, 9 digs, and had an average serve receive rating of 2.0.    Cassidy Bogatay l Klamath Union l 2024 l 5'9” l S l Basin Bombers Volleyball Club   <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/klamath-falls/klamath-union-high-school1/cassidy-bogatay">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Bogatay is shouldering a massive load this season, tasked with running a 5-1 for the Klamath Union High School Pelicans. In their season-opening match versus Bonanza, the junior setters posted an impressive 17 assists and 4 service aces.   [player_tooltip player_id='223230' first='Lily' last='Mae Buerkle'] l McDaniel High School l 2026 l 5'9” l S/OH l Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15949852/Lily-Mae-Buerkle">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Buerkle is making waves as a freshman for the McDaniel High School Mountain Lions. She takes the court with maturity, showcasing great leadership skills, a major feat for a 14-year-old. Rarely seen off the court, and relied on heavily, she brings consistency in every skill. Her coach commended her ability to consistently put the ball away, noting that out of 10 swings, 9 of them will result in a kill.   Nyah Johnson l McDaniel High School l 2023 l 5'9” l RS    <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/nyah-johnson/D6HMbysLEe2A0wqb9tl3hA/default.htm">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Johnson is relied on heavily for her stellar front-row play for the McDaniel High School Mountain Lions. As one of the team's strongest hitters and blockers, she does a lot of damage from the right side, and as a leftie, this is a natural fit. Her coach commended her ability to always bring energy to the court and for showcasing strong leadership skills not just for her team but for the entire Mountain Lion program.     [player_tooltip player_id='126070' first='Lilly' last='Lansing'] l Jesuit High School l 2024 l 5'11” l MB l [program_tooltip program_id='473247' first='Athena' last='Volleyball Academy']   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14137039/Lillian-Lansing">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Lansing is returning to the Jesuit High School Crusaders as their primary middle blocker, having to step up major this season with 2022 Tess Masingale having graduated. During week one of play, Lansing had incredible matches versus Sherwood and Oregon City. In their match versus Sherwood, she racked up 12 kills on 24 swings with just 3 errors, hitting a .375. She also had 4 blocks. Against Newberg, Lansing really showed up, posting 5 kills on 11 swings with no errors, hitting an impressive .455, and also had 4 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='505706' first='Jacie' last='Madden'] l Klamath Union l 2025 l 5'11” l MB l Basin Bombers Volleyball Club   Madden is an integral aspect to the Klamath Union Pelicans offense as one of their middle blockers. In their season-opening match versus Bonanza, the sophomore racked up a notable 9 kills.    [player_tooltip player_id='91335' first='Elsa' last='Mcdermott'] l Catlin Gabel School l 2023 l 5'7” l DS/OH l Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy   Committed: University of Pennsylvania    For the Catlin Gabel Eagles, McDermott takes the court as a six-rotation outside hitter. Although trained as a libero during club season, and heavily recruited as such, she serves as the anchor to the team's offense and serve receive, says her coach. Her volleyball IQ and consistent play have proven invaluable to the team thus far. During the first week of play for the Eagles, McDermott racked up some impressive statistics: 8 service aces, 2.12 average serve receive rating, 18 kills, and 39 digs, averaging 4.88 digs/set.    [player_tooltip player_id='492675' first='Gillian' last='Merhoff'] l Klamath Union l 2024 l 5'10” l OH l Basin Bombers Volleyball Club    <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/klamath-falls/klamath-union-high-school1/gillian-merhoff">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Merhoff is a major contributor for the Klamath Union Pelicans as their primary outside hitter. In their season-opening match versus Bonanza, the junior racked up an impressive 17 kills. She proved fairly unstoppable from the left pin.    [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Ceanna' last='O'Loughlin'] l Jesuit High School l 2023 l 5'11” l RS/OH l [program_tooltip program_id='473247' first='Athena' last='Volleyball Academy']    Committed: Colorado State University, Pueblo   O'Loughlin is relied on heavily for the Jesuit High School Crusaders, shouldering a massive offensive and defensive load alongside 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='91316' first='Isabel' last='Patterson']. Typically playing all-around, she posted some major numbers during the Crusader's first week of play. Across three matches, O'Loughlin racked up 49 kills on 114 swings with 13 errors, totaled up 24 digs, and was 29/31 on the service line with 4 aces.    [player_tooltip player_id='91316' first='Isabel' last='Patterson'] l Jesuit High School l 2023 l 5'9” l OH l [program_tooltip program_id='473247' first='Athena' last='Volleyball Academy']    Committed: University of Oregon (Court and Sand)    Patterson is a crucial aspect of the Jesuit High School Crusaders lineup, shouldering a massive offensive and defensive load alongside 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Ceanna' last='O'Loughlin']. Typically playing all-around, she posted some major numbers during the Crusader's first week of play. Across three matches, Patterson racked up 33 kills on 70 swings with 10 errors, totaled up 31 digs, and was 45/47 on the service line with 4 aces.    Macey Pine l McDaniel High School l 2023 l 5'10” l OH/MB l Metro Volleyball Club    <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/portland/madison-high-school25/macey-pine">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a>   Pine is depended on in all aspects of her game for the McDaniel High School Mountain Lions as one of their top all-around players. She has really honed in on her all-around skill this past year and has made the transition from middle blocker to all-around outside hitter.    Anna Riedmann l McKenzie High School l 2023 l 5'6” l S    Riedmann is back for the McKenzie High School Eagles after having to take two seasons off due to some unforeseen circumstances. A great attitude, a team player, and a captain, she is always ready to step in and do whatever is needed for the team, says her coach.

With high school season finally starting up here in Oregon, it is time to start highlighting some players who are contributing majorly to their high school team.