District 6 & 7 1A Playoff Preview
The Caribou Trail League and the Northeast 1A will battle it out and determine who captures two prized berths in the state tournament. Here are the top teams and players to watch as the playoffs begin. The two leagues start…
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Continue ReadingThe Caribou Trail League and the Northeast 1A will battle it out and determine who captures two prized berths in the state tournament. Here are the top teams and players to watch as the playoffs begin. The two leagues start tournament play this week and finish with four teams battling for two spots on November 5th.
CHELAN- Caribou Trail
Olivia Strandberg
Olivia Strandberg
The Goats are undefeated in league and have had an impressive showing through non-league and tournament play as well. Strandberg is the senior leader and can do everything on a volleyball court at a high level. She has a wonderful volleyball IQ, and all the skills acquired through her time in the sand and the big matches she has played in for Chelan over the last four years. The outside hitter will get an early look at NEA foe and rival Freeman this weekend as the teams match up at Freeman for a nonleague duel in what could be a preview of the final match at the District 6/7 crossover.
FREEMAN- Northeast 1A
The Freeman Scotties have deployed a season-long 5-1 offense, and the junior setter has been on the court continuously dishing it to her experienced group of attackers. She is willing to take chances and reverse the flow and continues to grow her offensive game in the front row. Freeman separated themselves this year from the rest of the NEA, and racked up some nice wins versus higher classification opponents, but have not seen a 1A caliber opponent like Chelan. A freshman, Avery Boswell is emerging as a critical part of the Scottie’s team, look for her to make her mark in the playoffs bringing smart defense and pinpoint serving to the squad.
Highlights
OMAK- Caribou Trail
Paityn Richter
Paityn Richter
The Pioneers have an athletic team, and multiple sports athletes dot the roster at many positions. The team works together well, and it’s not easy to get a ball down against their scrappy defense. Just a freshman, Richter has good size and strength for a setter, and like the rest of the team is willing to get on the floor for a gritty dig. She can push the ball to both pins and is a tough server. It’s not easy to run the show as a 9th grader, and she has helped the squad pile up 10 wins on the season, a nice testament to her making the team better from the setter spot.
COLVILLE- Northeast 1A
Bayley Benson
Bayley Benson
The Colville roster is loaded with an upperclassman, eleven of twelve total are juniors or seniors. The Crimson Hawks faced off against Omak earlier this year, dropping a four-set battle, so there is familiarity between the NEA and the Caribou Trail leagues. Benson is a leader offensively, with a high contact point from her outside spot. Given the chance, she can turn a ball down the line, and she has good feel for scoring in a variety of ways. Jordyn True at 6’1 is a very good blocker, the senior changes the opposing teams plan when she is in at middle blocker.
CASHMERE- Caribou Trail
Leah Kunz Leah Kunz 6'0" | MB Cashmere | 2025 WA
Leah Kunz Leah Kunz 6'0" | MB Cashmere | 2025 WA
Cashmere is peaking at just the right time, and sophomore Kunz has a whippy swing and good bounce out of the middle. Several balls were hammered near the 10-foot line or exploded into defenders in a recent match versus Omak. There is still a great deal of growth available in her overall game, but she has the length, athleticism, and good arm swing to be a devastating attacker at this level and beyond. One to watch! The Bulldogs have excellent offensive options with outside Rylie Harnden and senior middle Maddie Hammond, and could be the team to surprise in the crossover tournament.
Leah Kunz Leah Kunz 6’0″ | MB Cashmere | 2025 WA “>http://www.hudl.com/v/2JAQ0r
LAKESIDE (9 MILE)- Northeast 1A
The Eagles have had great success against any team not named Freeman this year. Haff is a middle during club but is handling the outside spot admirably for Lakeside this season. Lakeside is smart in finding her for attacks from both pins, and down the middle to take advantage of her familiarity with the position. Defensively she passes well and has worked hard on her ability to dig hard shots. Gabriella Rodriguez has elevated her game as outside for the team this year, the senior is a deadly server and an athletic finisher from the outside. With the team losing several high-level seniors from last year, they have had to find their own identity, and the one-two punch of Haff and Rodriguez has led the way.