Standout Underclassmen at the State 1A Championships

<p>Chelan proved they had what it takes to continue their dominance of the 1A ranks, finding the right mix of underclassmen and seniors who had won it all before to take the State Championship again at the Sun Dome in Yakima. The Mountain Goats took a steady route from a group finding itself in early September to a no-doubt champion in November. We feature two of the champion players here along with other underclassmen who excelled at the 1A State Championship Tournament. </p>   <p><em><strong>Prep Dig is putting on the Washington Top 250 Expo for Class of 2024-27 prospects on Dec. 2 in Lynnwood</strong>. <a href="http://Click Here">https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/register/washington-top-250-expo</a> to sign up for the event. Check out the attendee list to see the great players from across the state already signed up.</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/attendees"><em> https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/atte</em></a><a href="http://attendees"><em>ndees</em></a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482602' first='Bailey' last='Espana'], So. S La Center</strong></h2>   <p>Espana has superior vision and feel for the game, she will play a ball to the corner off first contact as a setter catching defenses off guard for easy points. Taking swings as a right side, Espana delivered kills high off the block and down the line, doing tremendous work as a 5'8 attacker. Her serve is deep and accurate putting passers in a bind and deciding on playing a ball placed in the last few feet of the court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244107' first='Avery' last='Boswell'], So. OH/DS/L Freeman</strong></h2>   <p>Boswell is a versatile sophomore who stepped in at libero and helped the Scotties make a run to the Finals after the team was seeded sixth into the tournament. Freeman was loaded at the attacker positions, and Boswell was a part of that rotation at times during the season. The Scotties thrived at State with her stellar passing in serve receive and effort digging balls in the back row, before failing to Chelan 3-1 in the finals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486356' first='Lydia' last='Petersen'], Jr. OH Chelan </strong></h2>   <p>The explosive junior gave Chelan an excellent counterpoint to sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249310' first='Brynn' last='Hughbanks']</strong>, providing the team with a scoring punch from the OH2 spot. Petersen and Hughbanks have a similar skill set and allow Chelan to keep the offense consistent when one or the other is in the back row. The 5'7 2025 prospect is an excellent beach player and can get up off the floor easily and deliver a stinging swing for a kill. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elizabeth de Lange, Fr. MB Nooksak Valley</strong></h2>   <p>The 6'2 middle had a memorable first game in her state tournament career, recording 8 kills and two blocks versus Kings Way Christian. In the trophy round against Cedar Park Christian, De Lange turned a ball past a tough front line for a kill, utilizing a sharp angle that ate up the opposing libero. With De Lange and sophomore <strong>Grace DeHoog</strong> lined up side to side as towering blockers in several rotations, the Pioneers had opposing hitters searching for options of how to score. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lucy Mortimer, So. S/OH Kings</strong></h2>   <p>Mortimer was pinballing kills of The Bear Creek School defenders in the trophy round with an easy, loose arm swing and explosive takeoff on her approach. The sophomore stands 5'9 and has the athleticism to press up and over the net, and Mortimer delivered monster stuff blocks for points. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aubrey Frederickson, Jr. MB Cedar Park Christian</strong></h2>   <p>The junior middle tore into all four opponents the Eagles faced in Yakima. Frederickson can make any set she receives work, punching in a tight or low set, or tipping over a delivery that might be somewhat off target. Her ability to keep the ball in play, while still delivering a quality swing resulted in an outstanding hitting percentage of roughy; .450 for the four-game run. Frederickson helped the Eagles battle to the 5th place trophy over Nooksak Valley, delivering 14 big kills on just 25 swings. Both setters, junior <strong>Hannah Nance</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251054' first='Mikayla' last='Liljenquist']</strong> return next season, keeping the top-notch connection with Frederickson in place.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bella Tobeck, Fr. MB/OH Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls)</strong></h2>   <p>#10 for the Eagles provided the Eagles with critical swings, including a terrific kill against Nooksack Valley with the first set on the line at 20-22. Tobek is a dynamic multi-sport athlete who kept improving during the season and showed the effort and ability to play defense and deliver points as a pin hitter. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498765' first='Brooklyn' last='Foyle'], Fr. S Chelan</strong></h2>   <p>Foyle was up to the challenge of running the offense for the Mountain Goats as a young player, and the freshman helped the team deliver another state championship. At 6'0 tall with stellar hands and a high delivery, Foyle ran the pins and the pipe with equal accuracy and location. Her beach background shows in her defense and ability to make plays at the net on tight passes and jousts, and she delivered a hard-working stable block all tournament. Chelan returns all but two players next season, expect the run to continue!</p>

Chelan proved they had what it takes to continue their dominance of the 1A ranks, finding the right mix of underclassmen and seniors who had won it all before to take the State Championship again at the Sun Dome in Yakima. The Mountain Goats took a steady route from a group finding itself in early September to a no-doubt champion in November. We feature two of the champion players here along with other underclassmen who excelled at the 1A State Championship Tournament.