Class 1A: Dark Horse – Overlake
The next high school volleyball season won’t start in Washington until March 2021, but there’s absolutely no reason why we should wait until there to know more about the best teams in each class. In this series, we’ll dissect each…
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Continue ReadingThe next high school volleyball season won’t start in Washington until March 2021, but there’s absolutely no reason why we should wait until there to know more about the best teams in each class. In this series, we’ll dissect each of the state’s six divisions by analyzing the top teams and the most promising players and what we can expect from them when the balls are finally allowed to fly. In our opening week, we’ll bring some info on the Class 1A.
Overlake
Overlake is yet to win its first State Championship title and the Owls haven’t been particularly close to fulfilling that dream recently, but there’s reason to believe next season could be when it finally changes for them. Overlake won’t have its best player from 2019, graduated outside hitter Marusia Levanidova, but three All-State team honorable mention nominees will be back, forming a strong core to put the team in the conversation about the best in the division.
Their three key players are:
Sydney Goad – Outside Hitter/Libero – Senior
A 5’6” outside hitter, Sydney Goad is as good as it gets on the defensive side of the game. The prospect was extremely solid for Overlake in the backcourt but also held her own at the net, especially because of her great vision and her ability to find unlikely angles to avoid the block. She was exceptional at the service line registering 85 aces. Her game didn’t take the Owls as far as she hoped last year, but it earned her an All-State team honorable mention.
Diya Mishra – Middle-Blocker – Junior
Diya Mishra was Overlake’s second-best offensive weapon, just behind Levanidova. The 5’10” middle-blocker was very reliable at the net, adding 132 kills for the Owls to go with 63 aces. She also had good numbers with her blocking (26) and passing (101), making the perfect case for her to receive an All-State team honorable mention.
Ryma Patil – Libero – Sophomore
Ryma Patil was a great addition to Overlake in the 2019 season. Then a freshman, the libero made an instant impact for the Owls at the backcourt leading the team defensive efforts. An All-State team honorable mention in her first year of high school volleyball, the 5’4” Patil led her team in both digs (53) and passes (264).