Meet the #1 Recruits in Oregon

Oregon has a pretty incredible talent pool of elite volleyball players. These three athletes are at the top of their class, keep reading to find out why. 

Daley McClellan

Height: 5’11”

High School: Canby High School (Canby, OR)

Club: Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy (Beaverton, OR) 

College: University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) 

McClellan, a three-year Varsity starter at Canby High School, has helped the Cougars become a dominant program. Awarded Three Rivers First Team All-League all three years and winning Player of the Year 2019 for the Three Rivers League, she has solidified her legacy within the Canby volleyball program. With McClellan playing all six rotations for the Cougars, they advanced to the semi-finals in the State tournament, finishing 3rd, a first for Canby volleyball. “She is a workhorse on the court and a great teammate and is surprisingly humble. She is the kind of player that is dominant, but always makes the players around her better...Nobody on her team resented her for getting all the swings. That says a lot about her character and the kind of teammate she is,” said coach TJ Schlatter. At State, she was awarded First Team All-State for 6A. She is currently playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 18-1 National team along with two other juniors. Coming into her senior season for Canby, it will be exciting to watch her dominate one last time, before heading to the University of Oregon, where she is sure to make an impact.

Key Statistics (during playoffs)

Took 423 swings (.304)

Versus the rest of the team 522 swings (.228)

Semi-final match against Central Catholic: 

52 kills, 20 errors, and 115 swings (.278) 

Key Statistics (on the season)

1,236 swings (.313) 

46 ace serves 

Passed a .226

Why did you choose to play volleyball?

When I was growing up, I was exposed to a lot of volleyball. My mom and both sisters played and I guess they’re the true reason I started becoming infatuated with the game. I always went to my older sister’s practices when I was little and would mess around in the gym. I went to all of their games, played with them in the backyard, and started playing games as soon as I could. I knew it was a passion for me because I loved it so much and I never quite got tired of it. I did play other sports when I was little, but I never loved any of them quite like volleyball.

What is your favorite volleyball memory?

My favorite memory by far is the state tournament this year. To be honest, when we first started high school season, I would have never thought that we would make it to the state tournament. But we did. The feeling when we won our second playoff game against Sprague was indescribable. Making it to state was a goal for us, and it felt so good when that goal was reached. However, it couldn’t stop there. Our new goal was to give 110% every single game in the tournament and play to win. We wanted to show the other teams why we made it to where we were. Nobody expected us to win, we had nothing to lose, we were the Cinderella story.  And that made it 10x more fun because we just played for each other. The atmosphere was amazing. What gave me chills was when we walked into the gym before our first game against Mountainside and seeing all of our Canby fans. That just made me want to cry. It was such an amazing moment and I was so happy for my team that they got to experience this, especially the seniors. Our first game against Mountainside started off a little rocky. Losing the first and second set (we were down 17-0 the second set), we knew we couldn’t give up, we made it this far and our fans just motivated us more. We won the third set, then the fourth, then it all came down to the fifth. Before we started the fifth set, we told each other that nothing mattered more than this game, that we couldn’t give up, we needed to play for each other, and we needed to play for Canby. The set was close and both teams played their hearts out, but in the end, we had won. After that last point, I don’t think I could have been any happier. I turned to my best friend Ruby, who’s a senior and I hugged her because this was so special for her. And I looked at my team and they were so happy, I don’t think we could’ve screamed louder. We went over to sing the Canby fight song for our fans and it was just the greatest feeling ever, seeing them get so excited for us. Making it to the tournament was such a great experience in itself, but those memories will stay with me forever.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

I’ve been given many helpful pieces of advice throughout my volleyball career. But one thing that has stuck with me is not letting one play affect the rest of your game. If you let one play affect your game, there’s no doubt that your teammates will notice, and you could possibly drag your team down with you. Your body language and the expression on your face shows, even when you don’t think it’s showing. Your teammates see that, and that doesn’t go so well sometimes. When you make a mistake, you cannot dwell on it. It happened. You made a mistake. You have to move on and focus on the next play. I know that’s a very common saying, but it goes a long way. I am usually very hard on myself and I would get so frustrated, and still do when I make a mistake. It didn’t help anyone, not me or the team, and I realized it was selfish of me to dwell on those mistakes.

What are your goals for your volleyball career?

As I finish out my prep and club career, I mainly want to return to the state playoffs for high school. For the club season, my goal is to win Regionals and place high in Nationals. After I graduate, I will be going to the University of Oregon to play volleyball. Reaching that point has been a goal in itself and I’m so grateful that I’m getting this opportunity. As a whole, I want to become a better player. I want to work my butt off every day. I know that I’m an undersized hitter and if I want to play front row I know that I REALLY need to work for it. My goal is to earn a spot on the court, back row, or front row. I just want to be on the court contributing to the team. I will play beach volleyball there as well, and my goal is to earn a spot on one of the top teams. 

Emily Warmenhoven Emily Warmenhoven 5'10" | OH West Linn | 2022 State OR  

Height: 5’10”

High School: West Linn High School (West Linn, OR)

Club: Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy (Beaverton, OR) 

College: Uncommitted 

Being the only freshman to make the West Linn Lions Varsity squad in 2018, she came back her sophomore season with a vengeance. Spending the offseason playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 15-1 National team, which finished 2nd in the Region, she came back her sophomore season ready to tear it up. Warmenhoven helped the Lions finish 5th in the State of Oregon this past season and was awarded Three Rivers Second Team All-League. Currently, she is playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 16-1 National team where she is harnessing her skills in both the front and back row. “Emily our go-to hitter in both the front and back row. She takes the big swings for us at the big times,” said her club coach Steve Suttich. Coming up on her junior season, she has the makings of being a standout six rotation player for the Lions. The Lions will be a force to be reckoned with, having Warmenhoven alongside rising senior Audra Wilmes Audra Wilmes 6'2" | OH West Linn | 2021 State OR , a University of Washington commit, they have the chance to go very far in the State tournament again.  

Key Statistics

377 kills (.333)

35 blocks 

Why did you choose to play Volleyball?

As a kid my parents made me play every sport available to see which sport I’d fall in love with because they claimed I’d be playing one all through school in order to keep me active and teach me life lessons. I have an older sister who is an amazing volleyball setter and played competitively, so wanting to do what she does but better, I too chose volleyball as my sport of choice. 

What is your favorite volleyball memory?

My favorite volleyball memory is probably when I made the High School Varsity team as a rising Freshman. I was the only Freshman with all upperclassmen to make the team. Playing in the 6A Division with the team getting 3rd at State the year before, I felt a sense of accomplishment to be chosen to play with them. By the end of the season, I had earned a starting spot with our team finishing 3rd at State again!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

“You can’t control the other players on the court, you can only control yourself, so in order to make the biggest impact, you must do your job.” This was a good reminder that volleyball is a team sport. I can’t control what my teammates do, but I can help them by doing my job and giving 110%, communicating, encouraging, and being a team leader on and off the court.

What are your goals for your volleyball career?

My goal is and has always been to earn a scholarship at a university that I love and to play volleyball for them. I am looking for a well-rounded college experience that values both the student and the athlete.

Sophie Gregoire-Salagean Sophie Gregoire-Salagean 6'2" | OH Newberg | 2023 State #49 Nation OR

Height: 6’0”

High School: Newberg High School (Newberg, OR) 

Club: Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy (Beaverton, OR) 

College: Uncommitted

Being the only freshman on the Newberg High School Varsity team, Gregoire-Salagean did not let that stop her. Early on she became a six-rotation outside hitter for the Tigers. There were few freshmen to make an All-League First-team selection, but Gregoire-Salagean was one of the few. She was awarded Pacific Conference First Team All-League All-League and was a contender for the Pacific Conference Player of the Year. She was the leading scorer on the team in both kills and hitting percentage, she ranked second in serve receive, blocking and digs, and had the third-most assists. She is currently playing for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 15-1 National team and is working on becoming even more of a force. “In my mind, Sophia is the next big thing coming out of Oregon in her class. She is a smooth athlete and has the ability to continue to elevate as she is hitting, and she has developed great angles and shots. She is a complete player physically, and she is a leader on the floor. She works harder than anyone in the gym at every phase of her game, and she leads by example, with a fierce calmness that is inspiring,” said club coach TJ Schlatter. Still being fairly new to the high school volleyball scene, it will be exciting to see her continue to dominate throughout her prep and club career. 

Key Statistics

172 kills (.335) 

Averaged 14 kills per match 

91% serve percentage (21 aces)

136 digs (averaged 8.2 digs per match) 

Why did you choose to play volleyball?

We went on a family vacation two and a half years ago and played volleyball a bunch, and I fell in love with it. I was playing soccer, basketball, and track but wanted to try another sport. 

What is your favorite volleyball memory?

The most exciting memory is when my club team last season won against a rival team after they had beat us in pool play at the 2019 Regionals. Our team was so excited and really clicked as a team.  Later that day, we went on to take first place at Regionals.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

"When things get hard, you don’t give up, you finish through, believe in yourself" Coach Queen, Pro Volleyball Player at my high school Camp.  Coach Queen was inspirational and really encouraged us to never give up.   

What are your goals for your volleyball career?

I want to be a team leader and motivate my teammates. Later, I want to play in college and Internationally.