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<p>With September coming to a close, we take a closer look at ten players who have their teams off to a great start, leading the way with their play and energy on the court. </p>
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<p>Coaches, parents, and players - I encourage you (to encourage the coaches/managers) to enter your team statistics into MaxPreps. It's a great way for fans, parents, and writers to see the awesome performances across the state. You are likely already keeping statistics; it's time to share them with the world! In an interesting twist, Idaho, I say again, Idaho, requires the entry of varsity rosters, schedules, pictures, and scores on MaxPreps, and I would dare say Idaho coaches do an excellent job getting the statistics in as well.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244061' first='Noella' last='Migliuri'], Sr. S, Gonzaga Prep</strong></h2>
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<p>Gonzaga Prep has notched two early-season tournament victories, and senior setter Migliuri has led the way with excellent decision-making and athletic play at the net. She is stuffing the stat sheet playing a 5-1 system, posting double-digit digs and throwing in blocks, kills, and aces to help the squad to wins in the Sundome Festival and Sheriodn Welch Crossover tournaments. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='333217' first='Kinley' last='Smith'], Jr. OH Timberline</strong></h2>
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<p>Timberline has a roster that could challenge for a state trophy, and the Blazers are off to a solid 5-1 start behind junior outside Smith. The 5'10" 2027 attacker is going to take a rip when a match is on the line. She has the experience, grit, and moxie to score when it's a crucial moment on the court. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='461185' first='Macie' last='Smart'], Jr. RS, Cashmere</strong></h2>
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<p>The lefty attacker is hitting .415 on the season and is as tough as anyone in the state to stop on the pin. Smart has a whip-like arm and the length and verticality to terminate at a high level. Cashmere will face a stiff test tonight against local rival Chelan, a matchup that both programs eagerly anticipate. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499395' first='Shannara' last='Peebles'], Jr</strong>.<strong> OH, Monroe</strong></h2>
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<p>Junior Peebles is playing with tremendous confidence and has Monroe off to an undefeated start. The Bearcats will be tough to beat in the 3A Wesco, and the explosive outside will be a go-to when the team needs to close out a match. Peebles is a finisher; you don't want to see her get a swing when Monroe has a set point. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499386' first='Avery' last='Beck'], Jr. DS/L Kamiakin</strong></h2>
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<p>Kamiakin is trending as the team to beat in the 4A division of the MCC. Beck has been a varsity player since late in her freshman season and is a steady force in the Braves' back line. She is steady on serve receive and covers the court well; the Braves are off to a 6-0 start and will be vying with Mead and Gonzaga Prep, among others, when the district title is on the line later in the season. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662553' first='Izzie' last='Stephan'], So. S, Lynden</strong></h2>
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<p>A solid multi-sport athlete, Stephan has size and athleticism at the setter position. She has Lynden out to an early 6-0 undefeated record, and the Lions will be a tough team to beat this season. Stephan has a high assists per set average- she is locating her talented and tall attackers in good match-ups, and they are delivering kills at a tremendous rate. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513926' first='Gianna' last='Greenlaw'], Sr. DS/L, Cedar Park Christian</strong></h2>
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<p>Cedar Park is one of the favorites in the 1A Emerald Sound and is off to a 4-0 league record. Greenlaw covers ground and takes up space in serve receive- she is confident handling balls outside her platform and cutting off a swing for a dig when she has the angle. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459078' first='Kaylin' last='Gines'], Jr. OH, Mary Walker</strong></h2>
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<p>Just a junior, Gines is in her fourth year on the varsity team. She started racking up kills for Mary Walker as an eighth grader, and is currently hitting a blistering .663. It will be a fun test when she faces off against Manson, Colfax, and Oakesdale later in the season; the 6'2" Gines is not easily stopped, no matter the level of competition. </p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499403' first='Samantha' last='Pirillis'], Jr. DS/L, Puyallup</strong></h2>
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<p>Pirillis is playing with energy, quickness, and anticipation for the Vikings. She had an excellent night against Curtis in the early-season matchup of two tough programs. The junior libero is a tone setter; her hustle and playmaking keep her team fired up, and she can deliver an acrobatic dig that frustrates opposing attackers.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243687' first='Jenica' last='Walling'], Sr. OH, Cascade Christian</strong></h2>
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<p>Seniors are always ready to step up and get it done- Walling is no exception and has a tremendous all-around game. She is among the state leaders in kills, hitting over .300, and a solid bet to average nearly a double-double (kills, digs). It's exciting to see what a small school player can accomplish against a larger school opponent. When 1A Cascade Christian took on 4A Puyallup, Walling posted 17 kills, 21 digs, and 2 aces in 3 sets. </p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left">**The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Lynwood, WA, on December 13th for all interested 2026-2029 prospects (from Any State) following the 2025 fall season. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2023/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-washington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Click here to register</em></a>, and use promo code “<em>EtterPD25</em>” to get $10 off your registration.**</h3>
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<p>Here is a list of registered athletes as of September 29th- we can't wait to see you there!</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='769742' first='Lana' last='Villarin'] 2027 Kentlake<br>[player_tooltip player_id='890095' first='Maggie' last='Shernoff'] 2029 Lincoln<br>[player_tooltip player_id='785410' first='Eva' last='Orozco'] 2029 Emerald Ridge<br>[player_tooltip player_id='534519' first='Sarah' last='Box'] 2028 Glacier Peak<br>[player_tooltip player_id='534518' first='Alyssa' last='Box'] 2028 Glacier Peak<br>[player_tooltip player_id='726103' first='Presley' last='Messersmith'] 2029 Curtis<br>[player_tooltip player_id='499757' first='Erin' last='Hofmeister'] 2027 Bishop Blanchet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='763056' first='Avery' last='Cowan'] 2028 Liberty Christian<br>Aniston Stoll 2029 Glacier<br>[player_tooltip player_id='755125' first='Julia' last='Dewland'] 2028 Tahoma<br>[player_tooltip player_id='778850' first='Harmony' last='Ajayi'] 2028 Auburn<br>[player_tooltip player_id='727388' first='Ava' last='Burton'] 2028 Mount Vernon<br>[player_tooltip player_id='886638' first='Elliott' last='(Ellie) Eide'] 2029 Bellevue<br>[player_tooltip player_id='434974' first='Maddy' last='Conner'] 2027 Seattle Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='745599' first='Kennedy' last='Guinn'] 2028 Puyallup<br>[player_tooltip player_id='534587' first='Natalie' last='Naness'] 2027 University Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='711121' first='Wakelea' last='Barkema'] 2028 Cedar Park Christian<br>[player_tooltip player_id='499497' first='Rilyn' last='Kerlee'] 2027 Puyallup<br>[player_tooltip player_id='725897' first='Melayna' last='Volkman'] 2028 Puyallup<br>[player_tooltip player_id='529137' first='Harper' last='Friedman'] 2028 University Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='624033' first='Hannah' last='Evans'] 2028 Lincoln<br>[player_tooltip player_id='740407' first='Emma' last='Mcauliff'] 2026 Archbishop Murphy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='851606' first='Mckenna' last='Miller'] 2028 North Creek<br>[player_tooltip player_id='746446' first='Bronwyn' last='Jones'] 2027 Squalicum<br>[player_tooltip player_id='753412' first='Keira' last='Trask'] 2028 Glacier Peak<br>[player_tooltip player_id='571372' first='Violet' last='Dougherty'] 2028 Juanita<br>[player_tooltip player_id='807801' first='Vivienne' last='Shea'] 2027 Mercer Island<br>[player_tooltip player_id='725393' first='Ella' last='Eberhardt'] 2028 Bishop Blanchet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='885567' first='Mia' last='Sivadasan'] 2029 Mount Si<br>[player_tooltip player_id='882222' first='Greta' last='Skinner'] 2028 Ingraham<br>[player_tooltip player_id='849094' first='Lillian' last='Wardlow'] 2027 Kingston</p>
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With September coming to a close, we take a closer look at ten players who have their teams off to a great start, leading the way with their play and energy on the court.
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