RPI Report: Top Teams and the Players Who Power Them
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The RPI in Washington State is used for seeding purposes for the state tournament bracket in November. Per the WIAA “the RPI will be one tool utilized by the seeding committees to determine first-round bracket pairings into the State Tournaments”. With the 1A/2B/1B tournament running November 10th-12th, and the 4A/3A/2A the following weekend, the RPI begins to matter for teams working towards a top seed in Yakima. Having that high seed, in theory, insures you don’t run up against one of the other top 4 seeds to the semi-finals. Here is a look at the top RPI team in each classification, and the players that have propelled them this season.
4A- PUYALLUP
The Vikings have many outstanding platers that have contributed to a 13-0 RPI record, but Brown is a player that makes everyone else better around her. Defensively she can come up with a huge block at anytime to turn momentum around, and offensively she draws a crowd from opposing blockers. She has a huge range for her setter Reese Shephard to find her, it doesnt take a perfect pass to feed it in for a solid swing.
Highlights
DONT OVERLOOK: JACKSON
The Timberwolves have one of the tougher Strength of Schedule (SOS) ratings in the RPI. Aaliyah Lutali Aaliyah Lutali 5'4" | S Jackson | 2023 State WA in the backrow and Ravenna Coleman in the middle provide great defense, something you need to have in the difficult WESCO league.
3A- NORTH THURSTON
Ellison Spencer
Ellison Spencer
Spencer does a great job in the Rams 6-2 system, staying dynamic in her setting and attacking from both pins and the back row. She’s a stat stuffer, piling up the digs and never leaving the floor. The Ram’s signature win is a road victory over Peninsula, and they will need to take care of Peninsula again at home before the season is over. Addison Connor is a 6’1 freshman OH who can put it down when the Rams need a big kill, keep an eye on her moving forward.
DONT OVERLOOK: MEADOWDALE
The big test will come gains 2A Archbishop Murphy in a few weeks for the Mavericks. Tanna Kollen is a senior outside and helps lead the offensive attack.
2A- COLUMBIA RIVER
The Rapids have done everything you need to earn that big RPI number, playing high-quality opponents, who also play solid competition, and most of all win! Undefeated and tested, they deserve to be in the conversation among the best teams in the state in any classification. DeJong is another excellent player who is a strong blocker and attacker who gives the team another option when defenders (deservedly so) are focused on the Dreves sisters.
DONT OVERLOOK: WASHINGTON
The Patriots have been playing tough all season, and have some big wins to show for it. OH Sirena Peredo is 5’5, and extremely skilled. The stat stuffing all-state player has been special for the team from Tacoma her entire career.
1A- CHELAN
Josie Garfoot
Josie Garfoot
Chelan has multiple contests scheduled against difficult non-league foes to end the regular season. Along with Cashmere, they will face Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) and Freeman in what has become an annual battle between the two teams from the Caribou Trail and the Northeast League. Then Elle Marble and La Connor come calling in late October to finish it off. Garfoot has proven to be a reliable scorer for the goats, she has a motor that wont quit and plays hard pin to pin.
DONT OVERLOOK: LYNDEN CHRISTIAN
Senior outside hitter Reganne Arnold is an offensive force for the Lyncs, and the team will be ready for a rugged postseason after playing in the difficult Northwest league. Regularly competing against 2A and 3A squads always builds the team’s confidence heading into the race for a state berth.
2B- KALAMA
Rhegan O’Neil
Rhegan O’Neil
The senior leader and the coach on the floor for the Chinooks, O’Neil is crafty and an elite server. The team is on a mission this year, with six seniors all trying to push the squad to a state title in Coach Jeni O’Neil’s final season. Ella Capen has been coming on strong in the middle, proving to be a game-changing blocker at times. An undefeated regular season seems likely, and the Kalama team will look to make a deep run in the post season.
DONT OVERLOOK: COLFAX
The Bulldogs have elite size in the middle, and a tradition of winning in the post season. Two tough non-league games playing up in classification remain and will show how much the team has improved since facing bigger schools at the Crossover tournament in Spokane.
1B- OAKESDALE
Gianna Anderson
Gianna Anderson
The Nighthawks are rolling through an undefeated league season, and Anderson is hitting over .400 from her outside spot. She is the main cog in the serve-receive game as well, along with Jessi Reed. The senior is looking for another state title and Oakesdale has the pieces around her to make it a reality. Staying sharp before facing other top-ranked teams at state will be a key for the team.
DONT OVERLOOK: Mossyrock
The Vikings are undefeated as well, and at some point these two teams should meet in a repeat of last years state tournament final.
