2025 Prospects that Ruled State
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The 2025 class is rich in talent, and that was on display during the WIAA Championships at the Yakima SunDome. Sophomores may be appearing for the first time at state, but some have had a one-year run to get their…
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Continue ReadingThe 2025 class is rich in talent, and that was on display during the WIAA Championships at the Yakima SunDome. Sophomores may be appearing for the first time at state, but some have had a one-year run to get their feet wet if their team made it through in 2021. This group comes in all sizes, positions, and school sizes, and they all excelled when it mattered most.
The super sophomore from Wenatchee is a sensation on the beach and did not disappoint indoors for the Panthers this season, In the SunDome, she showed her advanced feel and quick arm, terminating from either pin. Her defense is extremely solid and she has an easy touch and tempo when she takes free balls, helping Wenatchee set up its quick offensive attack. Wenatchee has a strong group of returners coming back for 2023, expect this group to work into the trophy games next season.
Tyler Gildersleeves-Stiles
Tyler Gildersleeves-Stiles
An excellent hooper, Gildersleeves-Stiles has a quick move to either pin as a middle blocker, then she can hang and stuff block the attacker. She is developing as an attacker, some of her best moments happen when she floats in and sends a sharp tip to the angle or sweeps a set down for a kill. Her transitions are quick and when she goes up with power she can drive a ball hard through or off the block. A fun player to watch when she is flying around the net for monster blocks.
Aubrey Fredrickson
Aubrey Fredrickson
When setter Mikayla Liljenquist Mikayla Liljenquist 5’8″ | S Cedar Park Christian | 2026 State WA started finding Fredrickson with shoot sets on the outside, Cedar Park hit their stride. Fredrickson is an aggressive attacker, who does not get cheated on her swings. She had three of her highest kill totals of the season in the closing three games of the season at State, all victories for Cedar Park. The outside seems to be a great match for her skill set, she has the prototypical size and athleticism to excel in a pin hitter role.
Eastwood is a classic setter/opposite, posting great assist numbers while putting away kills when she rotates to the front row. Senior setter Aaliyah Lutali looks for her when she has a good matchup. Her serve is hard-driven and behaves like a mix of a float and topspin. Opponents had a tough time with it when Eastwood hit it accurately. Her quickness lets her get feet to the ball and she has soft hands when dishing out to her Jackson attackers.
Highlights
Lily Starkel
Lily Starkel
An honorable mention all-state selection a year ago, the sophomore middle just kept rolling for the Tigers this season. She has great length and does eye work watching and identifying where the offense is aiming to go. She is athletic enough to run on threes and skilled enough that when a second ball comes her way she can bump set it accurately to the pin. Her calling card is a cat-quick jump that goth’s her up off the floor in rapid fashion. She rarely loses a joust at the net.
Claire Wright
Claire Wright
The state trophy for the Loggers capped a huge season for Wright. The sophomore earned 1st team all-league, racking up season totals of 185 kills and 207 digs. She became a strong two-way player, moving well in the back row and dominating conference play at the net. During the run at state, Wright showed a hard line swing, most opponents did not have an answer for her power when she cranked it up.
Kendall Humphrey
Kendall Humphrey
Adna racked up their second straight trophy, and Humphrey led the way in the finale with 16 kills. A strong attacker, she never hesitated to bring the heat when she had a favorable matchup on the block. She tools defenders consistently, and she has a quick transition without a great deal of wasted movement. The Pirates are a gritty bunch, pulling off the reverse sweep in their last match of the year.