Class 1A: Top Teams – Lakeside
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.
Lakeside
A four-time State Championship winner, Lakeside has last lifted a trophy in 2016, but they haven’t been too far removed from doing it again in the past few years as the Eagles finished third in 2019 and reached the quarterfinals the year before. For the next season, the team will need to make up for the absences of two of their three All-State team members last season, setter Hannah Stires and 6’2” middle-blocker Mia Pakootas, who are among the five graduates from last year.
Their three key players are:
Jamie Kennedy – Middle-Blocker/Outside Hitter – Senior
Jamie Kennedy is the only All-State team member returning to Lakeside after their third-place campaign at last year’s All-State Championship. The six-footer was a revelation for the Eagles and formed an outstanding middle-blocker duo with Pakootas, which was one of the team’s best assets in 2019. Without her partner and in her final year of high school volleyball, she’ll be even more important to the team.
Jessie Stires – Outside Hitter – Junior
Jessie Stires came up big when Lakeside most needed as she was the team’s most efficient offensive weapon in the match that placed the Eagles as the third-best side in the division, a 3-1 victory over Freeman in which she registered 16 kills. The 5’8” outside hitter seems ready to an even bigger role next season.
Mamiko Patterson – Libero – Junior
Mamiko Patterson was solid as the backcourt general for the Eagles in 2019. The 5’6” libero stepped up to her role in her sophomore season and helped to make her team one of the toughest to beat in the division. Her performance at the third-place match, when she registered 32 digs against Freeman, is a good example of how influential she can be on the court.