The Elite Eight: 2021 Athletes Making A Name for Themselves
These eight rising seniors have one final season left to dominate before heading off to college where they are sure to make an impact. Allie Andrew Allie Andrew 6'4" | MB Ridgefield | 2021 State WA , 6’4″, MH, Ridgefield…
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Continue ReadingThese eight rising seniors have one final season left to dominate before heading off to college where they are sure to make an impact.
Allie Andrew Allie Andrew 6'4" | MB Ridgefield | 2021 State WA , 6’4″, MH, Ridgefield High School, Excel NW, Baylor
Andrew helped the Ridgefield Spudders dominate this past season, going undefeated all season and winning the state championship for the second year in a row. While her 6’4” stature is impressive, even more impressive is how quickly she is able to move, making herself ready to attack in transition. Last season she played for Excel NW 18 Rox. Oh, and she has committed to play at Baylor University, you know that little school in Texas that spent a majority of the season at #1 in the country.
Emma Swett, 6’1″, MH, Woodland High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
Swett had another impressive season for the Woodland High School Beavers. She was awarded 2A Greater St. Helens First Team All-League for her impeccable play. Incredibly quick on her feet coupled with a fast arm swing, she is lethal in the middle. She recently received a full-ride athletic scholarship from Western Washington University, but no decisions have been made. Last season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 National team.
Emilea Stepaniuk Emilea Stepaniuk 5'7" | DS/L Ridgefield | 2021 State WA , 5’7″, DS, Ridgefield High School, Excel NW, University of Colorado-Boulder
Stepaniuk, the team captain of the Ridgefield Spudders, helped them annihilate the competition going undefeated all season and winning the state championship for the second year in a row. As the team’s libero she was awarded 2A Greater St. Helens First Team All-League as a sophomore and junior, as well as, Second Team All-State as a sophomore and junior. A steady defender, she reads the attack very well and keeps her team as in system as possible. This past club season she played for Excel NW 18 Rox. She has committed to play at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Lia Hawken Lia Hawken 5'11" | OH Skyview | 2021 State WA , 5’11”, OH, Skyview High School, Portland Volleyball Club, Dayton
Hawken had another solid season, helping the Skyview Storm with a first-place league finish. She received 4A Greater St. Helens First Team All-League as both a sophomore and junior for her play. Hawken is a bouncy outside hitter with a fast arm swing, who has many different shots and angles in order to put the ball away. Hawken verbally committed to play at the University of Dayton at the end of her Sophomore year. Last club season she played for Portland Volleyball Club 18-1 team.
Mackenzie Gilchrist Mackenzie Gilchrist 5'10" | DS/L Ridgefield | 2021 State WA , 5’10”, DS, Ridgefield High School, NW Reign
Gilchrist had a great season for the Ridgefield Spudders helping them go undefeated all season and winning the state championship for the second year in a row. While she is on the taller side for a defensive specialist, she has the ability to cover more court. Her ball control and quick feet make her indispensable in the backrow. She was placed on the AVCA Phenom List and participated in the USA Volleyball’s High Performance. This past season she played for NW Reign’s 18-1 National team.
Alison Dreves, 5’10”, OH/RS, Columbia River High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
Dreves helped the Columbia River Chieftans finish seventh in State. Coming into her junior season, she was in unfamiliar territory as a transfer from Tigard High School. She was the Tigers team captain as a sophomore and received Three Rivers Second Team All-League as an outside hitter. However, the change of scenery did not stop her from making an immediate impact for the Chieftans. Dreves is the definition of a versatile athlete. Starting out her career, she was the libero for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 14-1 National, and after a growth-spurt made the transition to an all-around outside hitter seamlessly. This past season, the Chieftans needed her to play right-side hitter, and she did so with ease. Given her height and incredible court sense, she has even stepped into the middle from time to time. She is also a competitive tennis player. Dreves played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 National team this past club season.
Tiffany Chandler Tiffany Chandler 5'10" | OH La Center | 2021 State WA , 5’10”, OH/DS, La Center, Excel NW
Chandler is a three-year Varsity starter for the La Center Wildcats. As a Junior, she hit an impressive .365 on the season with 354 total swings. Not only does she have an explosive attack but a great court sense making her an indispensable all-around player. For La Center, Chandler is their go-to attacker, who is not afraid to take big swings in both the front and back row. Last season she played for Excel NW 18-1 Rox.
Jazi Smith, 5’11”, MH, Woodland High School, North Pacific Juniors
Smith is new to the state of Washington, playing for McMinnville High School the past three seasons. For her senior season, she will be playing at Woodland High School, alongside dominant middle blocker Emma Swett Emma Swett 6'1" | MB Woodland | 2021 State WA . At McMinnville, she helped the Grizzlies win their conference and reach the second round of 6A State playoffs. She received Pacific First Team All-League for her play. An athletic middle with a strong block, it will be exciting to see the impact she makes at Woodland. She played for North Pacific Juniors 17-1 National last club season.