Tuesday Match to Watch: Jackson vs Lake Stevens

Guilherme Torres November 2, 2021 @ 11:45 AM

The high school volleyball season is progressing at full pace in the state of Washington and we’re all enjoying all the exciting prospects of the Evergreen State in action once again. The regular season is coming to an end and the playoffs quickly approach, bringing the best time of the year when it comes to exciting matches. Twice a week, we’ve been using this space to recommend some matches to keep and eye on and, most importantly, some of the most interesting prospects you’ll want to watch if you have an opportunity. This is what we have in mind for Tuesday, November 2:   Jackson vs Lake Stevens – 7pm The Timberwolves from the Jackson High School from Mill Creek enter the match on a four-game winning streak. Ranked second in the 4A Wesco district with five wins and two losses, the team coached by Mindy Staudinger holds a 12-6 overall record in the season. The Lady Vikings from the Lake Stevens High School sit at the top of the standings of the 4A Wesco district with their perfect 7-0 record. Head coach Kyle Hoglund and his player have lost just twice in the season and won as many as 14 matches, including all last nine.   Players to Watch – Jackson [player_tooltip player_id="97061" first="Ellina" last="Powell"] – Right Sider – Club: Washington Volleyball Academy – 2022 After playing as a setter in her first three years of high school volleyball, [player_tooltip player_id="97061" first="Ellina" last="Powell"] has taken over offensive duties with the Timberwolves this year. Her 6’1” frame certainly helps and she’s been thriving on her new role as a right sider, leading the team’s offense with 135 kills. She continues to contribute all across the board to Jackson, though, as she also leads the team in aces (31) and blocks (25) and ranks second in assists (143) and third in digs (100). <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ylc7mC8DDEs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   Reece Nelson – Outside Hitter - 2023 Not many undersized players get to contribute as much to their teams as Reece Nelson has been able to. Despite her 5’4” frame, the junior outside hitter moved to the varsity team last season and has been on top of her game in 2021. Nelson is Jackson’s second-best scorer with 119 kills and has also significantly contributed in other areas of the game, ranking second in digs (125) and passes (191) and third in aces (26).   Players to Watch – Lake Stevens Isabella Christensen – Outside Hitter – Club: Washington Volleyball Academy – 2023 A 6’2” outside hitter with huge length and superior physical tools, Isabella Christensen is a handful to deal with at the net. She scores at ease at the pin and has been unceremoniously doing so, having already tallied 123 kills for Lake Stevens. Her defensive contribution has been more modest, at 38 passes and 11 digs, but her sky-high potential has attracted suitors and the United States Air Force Academy is where she’ll give the next steps on her career. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14092492/6179452490ef610ccc5cb38b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   Hayli Tri – Middle Blocker: Club: Washington Volleyball Academy – 2023 Hayli Tri is following in the footsteps of her older sister, former Lake Stevens star Karli, who also played middle and graduated this year. A six-footer like her sister, Hayli has been dominated the net for the Lady Vikings this season, showing great balance between offense and defense with 83 kills and 35 blocks to her name. She’s also fired a team-high 19 aces. Hayli will continue her career at the collegiate level at Western Washington, just like her sister did. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15731895/617bb93abd6a2e11641aac38" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>