Will Wilsonville win the 5A State title?

PrepDig Oregon released a poll awhile back asking everyone to vote on their prediction for the 5A State title winner. PrepDig is doing a write up on each of the top four vote getters, plus a bonus school we think will go far in the State tournament. Based on the results, Bend, Wilsonville, Summit, and West Albany received the highest number of votes; and, our 5A bonus school is Crescent Valley. All five programs are top-notch and will likely advance well into the State tournament. But, will one of these teams win it all? Time will tell.    Receiving the 2nd most votes at 64 was Wilsonville High School. In 2019 and again in 2021, the Wildcats had impressive runs and walked away with 2nd place trophies both years, but the program has yet to secure a State title. So if the Wildcats are able to secure a championship win this season, that would be a historic feat. Last season, they were knocked out of the State tournament at the semifinals by Bend High School in a four-set match. The Wildcats will undoubtedly be fighting for that State championship win this year.      Wilsonville lost five graduating seniors this year, including standout and 5A Co-Player of the Year Makenna Wiepert, and talented starters Emma Alewine and Kaylee Dresser. Despite those big losses, the team has done quite well this season, entering the State tournament with a 15-1 league record and a 17-6 overall record. An impressive aspect of the Wilsonville team is its well-roundedness; many of the athletes can go on the court and bring the Wildcats success. With the regular season coming to a close, we have been able to see this team in action and have some impressive players to highlight.   Typically hitting on the outside for six rotations is senior Ashlyn Hartford, whose steady all-around play has been imperative for the Wildcats this season. Offensively, Hartford is solid, using an explosive approach and strong court vision to put the ball on the ground consistently, and amassing 95 kills thus far. Hartford is also a consistent and dependable defensive player and has notched 83 digs. From the baseline, she is deadly, with 33 aces on the season. Playing opposite Hartford is senior Kate Gore and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='447991' first='Teagan' last='Hamilton'], who have lately been splitting the outside hitter position in some variation. Gore, who started the season strong, sustained an injury halfway through and missed a few weeks; nevertheless, she has managed to jump right back on the court effortlessly, bringing a steadiness to the court every time she plays. Gore has tallied an impressive 95 kills, 54 digs, and 13 aces this season, even despite her injury. Hamilton, too, has been an instrumental piece of the Wildcats lineup, an impressive feat as the team's lone freshman. She has a quick and powerful arm swing, racking up 96 kills and 21 aces this fall. From the right side, junior Lana Gillas is hard to stop offensively and puts up a big block that proves hard for other teams to hit around. She has posted 71 kills and a solid 27 blocks this season.    Two of the Wildcats' biggest offensive weapons are the middle hitters, junior [player_tooltip player_id='249599' first='Emma' last='Fauth'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='161982' first='Olivia' last='Lyons']. Each middle is quick, explosive, and deadly, often burying the ball with a powerful swing or making a smart play around the block. Fauth, a transfer from Tigard, is a powerhouse, tallying 143 kills this season with a 0.271 hitting percentage. She is a very solid blocker, too, leading her team with 44 blocks. From the baseline, Fauth has notched 23 aces. Lyons, who was a key part of the Wildcats' lineup last season, has posted 118 kills with an impressive 0.310 hitting percentage. She's also racked up 26 blocks and 19 aces.   Running a 6-2 and leading the team's offense, senior Cammy Gore and junior [player_tooltip player_id='161884' first='Ellis' last='Underhill'] both do an excellent job of spreading out their sets and including their many hitters in the offense, as is evidenced by the number of kills each hitter has notched. Both setters showcase great court vision and connect well with their attackers. Gore, who typically plays three rotations in the back row, has notched an amazing 394 assists and 60 aces. Underhill, who typically sets when in the back row and hits from the right side in the front row, has tallied a solid 214 assists, 60 aces, 99 kills, and 31 blocks, showing her all-around skill. Both Gore and Underhill have proved to be indispensable for the Wildcats.    Finally, commanding the Wilsonville back row are senior [player_tooltip player_id='126073' first='Mary' last='Matthews'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='268841' first='Emily' last='Holmes']. Matthews is an imperative piece of the Wildcats' lineup, whose consistency in the back row has been key for the Wilsonville offense to run as smoothly as it has. And, when one of her setters takes the first ball, Matthews does an excellent job of keeping her offense in play by making solid out-of-system sets. Matthews has racked up 276 digs, 62 aces, and 62 assists. Holmes, who sometimes plays back row for one of the outside hitters, is also a steady player who makes great plays to keep the ball alive. She has tallied 69 digs and 41 aces.   *The stats provided are through Oct 27, 2023.

PrepDig Oregon released a poll awhile back asking everyone to vote on their prediction for the 5A State title winner. PrepDig is doing a write up on each of the top four vote getters, plus a bonus school we think will go far in the State tournament. Based on the results, Bend, Wilsonville, Summit, and West Albany received the highest number of votes; and, our 5A bonus school is Crescent Valley. All five programs are top-notch and will likely advance well into the State tournament. But, will one of these teams win it all? Time will tell.