Prep Season Preview: Small School Top Returning Setters
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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 with this final article to…
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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 with this final article to highlight the last group of top returning athletes playing for smaller schools.
Finally, the top setters from the 4A through 1A classification.
Ainsworth, who sets for Marshfield, the reigning 4A State Champions, has been an instrumental piece of the Pirates’ lineup. Ainsworth earned 4A Sky Em all-league second team and all-state second team accolades last season for her stellar job running her team’s offense. She does a great job of distributing her sets well, and utilizes her big hitters Bridget Gould Bridget Gould 5’11” | RS Marshfield | 2024 State OR and Tatum Montiel Tatum Montiel 5’11” | OH Marshfield | 2025 State OR super effectively. Ainsworth is also a weapon from the baseline, where her tough serve creates point-scoring opportunities for her team. Ainsworth will be looking to bring her team another championship win this season.
Arellano is a key player for the Valiants. After leading her team to its 3A State Championship win, Arellano was named to the 3A Lewis & Clark all-league second team. The senior setter has excellent court vision, which she uses not just to make smart sets to her attackers, but to also make point-scoring plays on two, finding court space to dump the ball to consistently. Arellano is also a solid player in other aspects, staying disciplined on defense to pick up digs and using her deadly float serve to ace opponents often. After her season with NPJ Portland 18 National, Arellano is well-prepared to lead her team to success this fall.
Highlights
Setting for Pleasant Hill, Crawford is an athletic and dynamic player who runs a fast, tough offense. Crawford received 3A Mountain Valley all-league first team and all-state third team honors for her excellent work leading her team. Not only is Crawford a solid setter, but she is also a steady defensive player and a very strong attacker, hitting from the middle when in the front row and racking up kills for her team. On the Webfoot 16-1 team, Crawford ran her team’s offense well, utilizing each of her hitters effectively and making smart decisions. She will play a major part in Pleasant Hill’s success this fall.
Highlights
Danika Goss
Danika Goss
Goss led Tillamook to a Cowapa League win last fall, earning 4A Cowapa all-league first team and all-state honorable mention accolades thanks to her talented setting. The setter showcases quick footwork, a soft touch on the ball, and great placement to her attackers. Goss also utilizes her big hitters well to create point-scoring opportunities for her team. After playing on the NPJ Salem 17 Elite team, Goss is in a great position to lead the Cheesemakers to another Cowapa League win.
Herber, who set for the 2A State Champions Salem Academy Crusaders last fall, transferred to Western Christian this season, where she is continuing to set a fast-tempo offense. Herber was awarded 2A Tri-River all-league second team and all-state first team honors, after notching an impressive 784 assists and 80 aces over the course of the season. Herber is quick to the ball, places her sets well, puts up a solid block, and has a deadly float serve from the baseline. Although Herber’s transfer is a loss for the Crusaders, her arrival to Western Christian is the Pioneers’ gain.
Rocha, the #2 setter for the class of 2026, also transferred schools this year, moving from Blanchet Catholic to Cascade. She was named to the 2A Tri-River all-league second team for her play for the Cavaliers last season. Rocha is an excellent setter, getting her hands on nearly every ball and placing her sets perfectly. She runs a fast offense and distributes her sets well, making sure to involve her entire front row and keeping opponent blockers on their toes. Rocha is a solid defender, too, and is quick to make plays and keep the ball alive, all of which she showcased on her NPJ 15 National team this past season. Rocha will be a huge asset to Cascade this season.
Highlights
Running a 6-2 for St. Paul, Koch is a solid all-around player and a steady setter, earning 1A Casco all-league first team and all-state second team accolades last season for her great play. Koch gets her feet to each ball well and places her sets nicely for her attackers, tallying 755 assists last fall. When in the front row, she is an offensive weapon, putting the ball away consistently from the right side. Koch is already leading her team well this season.
Haley Krieger
Haley Krieger
Krieger, who earned 2A Tri-River all-league third team honors last season, is entering her senior year ready to run Salem Academy’s offense, especially with Lexi Herber Lexi Herber 5’11” | RS Western Christian | 2025 State OR ‘s transfer. With a soft touch on the ball, Krieger makes smart setting decisions, utilizing her big attackers like Emma Brewer Emma Brewer 6’1″ | OH Salem Academy | 2026 State OR well. She is also a good defensive player and stays disciplined to make solid passes. The Crusaders will likely be relying heavily on Krieger this fall.
The Burns setter, Wright, has been a major key player for the Hilanders over the past few years. After receiving 3A Eastern Oregon all-league first team and all-state first team honors last season, Wright is well-positioned to lead her team to success this fall. Wright runs a super quick offense, and she jump sets with ease, notching an amazing 912 assists last season. She also has excellent court vision and makes smart plays on two to score for her team. In the front row, Wright puts up a solid block, and she uses her fast reactions to make impressive plays on defense. Wright will undoubtedly be an instrumental piece of the Burns lineup once more.