Prep Season Preview: 6A Top Returning Pins
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Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off! High school season is right around the corner. Tryouts have been set for the week of August 14th, and league play starting the week of September 4th. As usual, Prep…
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High school season is right around the corner. Tryouts have been set for the week of August 14th, and league play starting the week of September 4th.
As usual, Prep Dig will be following the action. But until it starts, we will highlight the top players returning in each position.
First up, the top pin hitters from the 6A classification.
The 2026 standout Andrews has spent the club season training with Athena 16-1 Gold and saw a lot of court time. As a six-rotation pin, she was critical in this team’s success. Her backrow play is more refined, and her attacking range has continued to grow. Receiving Mt. Hood First Team All-League, she was dominant from the pin and was vital in the Nelson Hawks long run in the State tournament. Returning to Nelson after her breakout freshman campaign, all eyes will be on Andrews, with Lukovich graduating.
Brown did not receive any all-league or all-state accolades last season. However, she had an impressive club season with Excel 18-1 Rox and will be a major impact on the Barlow Bruins for her senior season. She saw plenty of court time last season for the Bruins as a dominant outside hitter. For Excel, she was seen as a defensive specialist more often than not. So she is coming into this high school season prepared to play six rotations.
Chilukuri, a rising senior, has traded in her Sunset High School jersey for a Westview High School jersey. Transferring into a program that graduated ten seniors, it is safe to assume Chilukuri will be able to make an immediate impact. The Metro Second Team All-League selection spent her club season training with Athena 17-1 Gold, a team that won the 17 American division at USAV Nationals. She primarily saw court time as a right-side hitter and has the ability to be a terminal pin for the Wildcats.
Davies, a Metro Second Team All-League selection, found ways to contribute from the pins last season for Sunset High School. With six players graduating and Thanvi Chilukuri transferring, the Apollos will rely on Davies all around. On the attack, she is smart and utilizes the block to create point-scoring opportunities for herself. Playing for Athena 18-2 Black this season, she took on a larger load than in seasons past. She is entering high school season well-prepared to dominate.
A Beligum, Germany transplant, DeRoo will be a vital piece of the Sunset Apollos success this season. The Apollos will rely on DeRoo heavily, with six players graduating, and Thanvi Chilukuri transferring. Playing with OJVA 17-1 Gold, she made huge strides in her game. She has become a much more technical and refined player.
Fairbairn was an offensive weapon for Roseburg High School last season and was critical in their 6th-place finish at State. This past club season, she was an integral piece of the Webfoot 18-1 Elite’s success. With an explosive approach and a hammer of an arm, she proves lethal from anywhere on the court. As Fairbairn enters her senior season, she will be an exciting athlete to watch lead the Roseburg team.
Friesen was an asset all-around last season for Sprague High School. Her offensive power and relentless pursuit on defense were critical in the Olympians strong showing at State, including an exciting five-set thriller versus Jesuit. That match was some of the most electrifying volleyball I saw all season! She shouldered a similar load on her club team, NPJ 17-1 National. She enters her senior campaign with a commitment to play Western Oregon University.
Highlights
Fulton, a Pacific First Team All-League selection, was a contributor her junior year and is sure to be one for her senior year. Playing for Athena’s 17-1 Gold team this club season, she saw significant court time as an outside hitter. Her ability to be terminal out of system has improved greatly. She has a killer line shot, but moves the ball around nicely to create point-scoring opportunities for herself. The Bowmen will be looking for Fulton to contribute all-around.
Highlights
Hoesing has been an essential piece of the lineup for Franklin High School. A PIL First Team All-League selection, she took on a huge load for the Lightning, finding ways to contribute. Competing with Athena 17-2 Black this season, she was dominant as a right side. An explosive leftie with a whip of an arm, she can do damage from anywhere on the court. She is sure to be a major piece of the lineup for her senior campaign.
Hunt has been an integral part of the Central Catholic’s lineup since her freshman season. The #2 overall recruit in her class can do it all, setting during club season and playing as an all-around pin during high school season. She has been MIA for a bit, recovering from an injury. But we hope she can rehab to 100% and make an impact at the high school level. With Mia Starr graduating, there may be a spot for her in the lineup as a setter.
Johnson is sure to be an impact on the West Salem Titans for her senior season. An Arizona State commit, she was a significant contributor to the NPJ Forefront 18-1 team that finished 9th in the Nation. Although playing primarily in the middle for NPJ, she is versatile and typically swings on the pins during the high school season. High flying with a booming swing, she will be doing some serious damage this fall.
Mathis had a breakout freshman campaign for South Salem High School, receiving Central Valley Honorable Mention honors. During club season, she was a huge factor in the NPJ 15-1 National team’s success. She is high-flying and has a whip of an arm, proving terminal from anywhere on the court. With Brooksie Isham and Kayleigh Carpenter graduating, the Saxons will look to the sophomore for her offensive power.
McKibben saw significant court time last high school season for State champs Sheldon High School. The Irish looked to the junior outside hitter to put the ball away and was a major proponent of their success. Competing for Webfoot 18-1 Elite, she continued to improve her all-around skills. With seven seniors graduating, most of which were starters, she should take on a more prominent role as a six-rotation pin.
Although Hill’s playing time last high school season was limited, Hill had a very successful club season and will be an impact for the Hawks. Playing club with OJVA 16-1 she improved leaps and bounds, especially in her ability to be terminal out of system. With Lukovich graduating, the Nelson Hawks will be needing Hill’s offensive power. With 2026 Madi Andrews also returning, the pair could make for an incredibly lethal combo.
Highlights
Mish, a 2022 PIL First Team Selection, is returning to Wells for her senior season ready to make a splash. Spending her club season with Athena 17 Black primarily as a DS/L, she has continued fine-tuning her backrow play. She is coming into the season well-prepared to dominate as a six-rotation outside hitter for the Guardians. Losing six seniors, Mish is sure to take on a significant load and be integral to their success. She recently committed to play at Hawaii Pacific University.
Highlights
Peterson was a major impact for Grant High School last season, receiving PIL First Team All-League nods. A utility attacker, she can do it all for the Generals. High-flying and explosive, she proves terminal on the swing. During club season she was primarily utilized as a defensive specialist/libero, with consistent serve receive and an all-out mentality on defense. Entering her senior campaign, she is sure to be a significant impact for the Generals.
Highlights
The reigning Three Rivers League Player of the Year and the only non-senior to receive Second Team All-State nods, Thies, will be a major factor in the Oregon City Pioneers’ success this season. Shouldering a huge load since her freshman season, it is safe to assume for her junior campaign she will only be that much more dominant. She recently committed to the University of Arizona, a testament to her skill as a high-level player.
Highlights
Walker was a critical piece of the Tigard High School’s line-up and was utilized all around as a six-rotation pin. She competed with OJVA 17-1 Gold this past club season and took on a larger as one of their outside hitters. Her attacking range has grown significantly, getting smarter about which swing and shot to use to result in a kill. Given her improvement, there is no doubt she will be a huge contributor for the Tigers.
Wilson, a Central Valley First Team All-League selection, was a commanding force from the outside. Playing opposite Lauryn Williams, the pair made for a deadly combo. She competed with NPJ 17-1 National this past club season and saw court time primarily on the right side. Also a competitive beach player, her ability to see holes and create point-scoring opportunities for herself translates well to the court.