The Notable Nine: 2023 Athletes from SW Washington
These nine rising sophomores made waves at the next level their first year of high school volleyball. They are ready to dominate yet again. Names are in alphabetical order. Natalie Andrew, 5’11”, OH, Ridgefield High School, Excel NW Andrew spent…
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Continue ReadingThese nine rising sophomores made waves at the next level their first year of high school volleyball. They are ready to dominate yet again.
Names are in alphabetical order.
Natalie Andrew, 5’11”, OH, Ridgefield High School, Excel NW
Andrew spent the fall season for the Ridgefield High School Spudders swinging from Junior Varsity to Varsity. The Spudders are an incredibly strong program, winning the past two 2A state championships. She is a great all-around player with an impressive vertical. The younger sister of Ali Andrew, a Baylor commit, she is ready to step out of her sister’s shadow and pave her own path. Due to her birthday, this past club season she played for Excel NW 16-2 Gold instead of the 15-1 Rox team.
Alliyah Barnes Alliyah Barnes 6'2" | MB Camas | 2023 State WA , 6’1″, MH, Camas High School, Excel NW
Barnes had a stellar first season as the lone freshman on the Camas High School Papermaker Varsity squad. As a starting middle, helped the Papermaker finish first in the league and seventh in the 4A State tournament. She does an exceptional job of always making herself available to attack for her setters. Last club season she played for Excel NW 15-1 Rox.
, 5’11”, MH, Prairie High School, NW Reign
Conklin had an excellent first season for the Prairie High School Falcons as a starting middle for the team. She is a strong blocker and moves exceptionally well laterally. This past club season she played for NW Reign 15-1.
Drew Eggleston Drew Eggleston 5'11" | OH Union | 2023 State WA , 6’0”, OH/RS, Union High School, Excel NW
Eggleston had a strong freshman season for the Union High School Titans as a starter and outside hitter for their Varsity team. She has a powerful arm swing and an athletic attacker. Starting her club career she was trained as a setter and middle blocker, which has helped her become an incredibly well-rounded player. This past club season she played for Excel NW 15-1 Rox.
Rielee Gourde, 5’5, DS/S, Kelso High School, Excel NW
Gourde had a standout season for the Kelso High School Highlanders, being one of two freshmen on the Varsity roster. She did not let being a freshman stop her and was the starting Libero for the Highlanders. She set the single-match (38) and single-season (501) digs record, helping them finish third in the 3A State tournament. Gourde is incredibly athletic in the back row and is very consistent on serve receive. Last club season she was one of two freshmen on the roster for Excel 16-1 Rox and saw playing time as their Libero.
Annie Hite Annie Hite 5'8" | S Skyview | 2023 State WA , 5’8″, S/RS, Skyview High School, Excel NW
Hite spent the fall high school season swinging between Junior Varsity and Varsity for the Skyview High School Storm. She has an impressive jump set and locates the ball exceptionally well. This past club season she was a setter for Excel NW 15-1 Rox team.
Kelli Kraft, 6’0”, MH, Camas High School, Athena Volleyball Academy
Kraft spent the fall high school season playing for the Camas High School Papermakers Junior Varsity team. She is very consistent in the middle and has a wide range of shots and angles, keeping her opponents on their toes. This past club season she played for Athena Volleyball Academy 15-1 Gold.
Ella Schoene Ella Schoene 6'1" | OH La Center | 2023 State WA , 6’0″, OH/MH, Mountain View High School, Excel NW
Schoene had an exceptional first high school season as a starter for the Mountain View High School Thunder. She is an athletic attacker with a powerful arm swing. During the off-season, she played on the Varsity basketball team for the Thunder. Last club season she played for Excel NW 15-1 Rox.
Paige Stepaniuk Paige Stepaniuk 5'7" | DS/L Ridgefield | 2023 State WA , 5’7″, DS, Ridgefield High School, Excel NW
Stepaniuk had a breakout first season as the only freshman selected for the Ridgefield High School Spudders Varsity roster, the two time defending 2A defending State champions. She saw playing time as a defensive specialist, as her older sister Emilia Stepaniuk, a University of Colorado Boulder commit, is their starting Libero. She is an incredibly quick defender with the ability to cover the block with ease and has a tough jump float serve. Last club season she was one of two freshmen on the roster for Excel 16-1 Rox and saw playing time as their Libero.