Prep Season Preview: Small School Top Returning Pins
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Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off! High school season is just beginning here in Oregon. With league play starting the week of September 4th, we are wrapping up our pre-season content. We have a couple articles…
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High school season is just beginning here in Oregon. With league play starting the week of September 4th, we are wrapping up our pre-season content. We have a couple articles still left in this series, highlighting more of the top returning athletes playing for smaller schools (4A to 1A classifications).
Next up, the top pins from the 4A through 1A classifications.
As the #3 outside hitter and #4 overall player for the class of 2026, Brewer was a huge pickup last season for the Salem Academy Crusaders, helping lead her team to its 2A State Championship win. She earned Tri-River all-league first team and 2A all-state first team honors as just a freshman. Brewer is super athletic with an impressive vertical and a quick arm swing, which she showcased on the NPJ 15 National team this past season. Brewer will undoubtedly be a key offensive player for Salem Academy this fall, especially with the graduation of Aly Herber.
Elgarico is a dynamic attacker, hitting from the outside for Marist Catholic and playing out of the middle for the NPJ 16 National team. An avid beach player, Elgarico’s athleticism and versatility earned her 4A all-state honorable mention accolades last fall. She is a quick and explosive attacker with a whip of an arm, burying the ball consistently and moving her attacks around the court. Whether she is playing on the pins or in the middle, Elgarico will continue to be a weapon for any team she’s on.
Highlights
Emerson, a left-handed right side hitter, has been an offensive power for Valley Catholic, which won the 3A State Championship last fall. Emerson was awarded 3A Lewis & Clark all-league second team honors due to her solid play. She has an explosive approach and a quick arm swing, and she dominates from the right pin. On the Athena 16-1 team, Emerson was utilized frequently on offense and was a huge part of the team’s success. Emerson will likely play a big role on Valley Catholic’s team this fall.
Highlights
Gould, an Oregon commit, was imperative in Marshfield’s 4A State Championship win last fall. She was named to the 4A Sky Em all-league first team, the all-state first team, and was dubbed the 4A Co-Player of the Year. The lefty attacker is an incredibly dynamic player; she can hit from anywhere on the court, and she has been utilized by her teams, including the formidable NPJ 18 Forefront team, on both pins and in the middle. Gould’s quick approach, her fast, powerful arm swing, and her ability to drill the ball down the line or cross court make her nearly impossible to defend against. The Pirates will be relying heavily on Gould once more this fall.
Searle has been a key player for Scappoose, evidenced by her role as a team captain this fall and by her 4A Cowapa all-league first team honors last season. Searle shoulders a big offensive load for Scappoose, using her versatility from both the outside and the middle to put the ball away. On the Athena 16-3 Onyx team, Searle was critical in her team’s success, thanks to her athleticism, quickness, and energy. She will continue to lead Scappoose this year.
Kayfes is another multifaceted player, able to successfully hit from the middle for Valley Catholic and from the outside as a six-rotation pin hitter on the OJVA 16-1 team. Kayfes was awarded 3A Lewis & Clark all-league second team honors last season after helping the Valiants win the 3A State Championship match. Kayfes is a physical player, using her height and powerful arm to swing deep into the court. She also moves the ball around and through the block effortlessly. Kayfes will be important for the Valiants as they seek another State win.
King, an outside hitter for the Burns Hilanders, was named the 3A Eastern Oregon all-league Co-Player of the Year and was listed on the all-state first team. King is a stellar all-around player, made clear by her 325 kills and 81 aces last season. She turns the ball down the line so effortlessly when attacking, and on serve receive she is controlled and steady. King played for the COVC 18-1 team last season, where she racked up points from the outside. With only one more year at Burns, King will be dominant for the Hilanders.
Montiel was a huge piece of Marshfield’s success last fall. She was named to the 4A Sky Em all-league first team, the all-state first team, and was dubbed the 4A Co-Player of the Year alongside Gould. The six-rotation outside hitter, who notched an impressive 338 kills last season, has a hammer of an arm, which, combined with her explosive approach, allows her to put the ball away down the line or cross court. Montiel is also deadly from the baseline, and tallied an astounding 110 aces last fall. Luckily for the Pirates, Montiel still has another two years to be an offensive weapon for Marshfield.
Pinheiro played middle for the Valiants last fall, and her offensive skills and consistent blocks were important for Valley Catholic’s 3A State Championship win. Where Pinheiro really shone this year, though, was on her Athena 16-1 team. Pinheiro stepped in as an outside hitter when Maddie Andrews got injured toward the end of the season, and she played excellently from the pins throughout the season, flying through the air and putting the ball away effortlessly. No matter what position Pinheiro plays in for the Valiants this fall, she is sure to excel.
Sherby transferred to Valley Catholic this year, after playing one season for the Hillsboro Spartans and earning 5A Northwest Oregon all-league honorable mention accolades as a freshman. Sherby is a high level outside hitter with a big vertical, a fast arm swing, and a wide hitting range; she moves the ball around the court seamlessly. On serve receive and defense, Sherby is disciplined and controlled, putting up perfect passes consistently. Sherby had a great season with the Athena 15-1 team this past season. She will be a huge offensive weapon for the Valiants this fall.
Highlights
Jade Snyder
Jade Snyder
Snyder, an outside hitter for Oakridge, had a standout season last fall and was named to the 2A all-state second team as a result of her excellent play. Snyder tallied an amazing 403 kills and 339 digs, showing that she is an impressive all-around player and a top scorer for Oakridge. Her skills on both offensive and defensive will be key for her team this fall.
Outside hitter Tegner is a super athletic and physical player for Jefferson, and was awarded 3A Pacwest all-league second team honors last season. Tegner is an avid beach player, and her beach play translates very well to her indoor game: She is super fast, jumps out of the gym, and picks up practically every ball on defense, due in part to her training in the sand. Tegner played for the G3 18-1 team this past season, where she showcased her strong and quick defense. With two more years of high school, Tegner will continue to lead Jefferson to success.