Class 1B: Dark Horse – Neah Bay
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 the second week, Class 1B will be in the spotlights.
Neah Bay
Neah Bay’s most recent appearances at the State Championship didn’t turn a lot of heads as the Red Devils won just one of their five matches in Yakima in 2018 and 2019. Those campaigns, however, helped the team maturing some of its young talented players, most notably libero Grace Buzzell and outside hitter Oceana Aguirre, who might lead the team to a better finish in the upcoming season.
Their three key players are:
Grace Buzzell – Libero – Senior
Grace Buzzell has been a bright spot for Neah Bay during each of her three years of high school volleyball and it’s fair to assume her game could be even better during her senior campaign. At 5’2”, the libero is extremely agile at the backcourt and is skilled enough to up balls over and over. Her strong play made of her an All-State second team member in each of the two last seasons.
Oceana Aguirre – Outside Hitter – Junior
If Buzzell is the rock that makes the Red Devils hard to score on, Oceana Aguirre plays an equally important role for Neah Bay at the net. The 5’8” outside hitter starter her high school career in 2018 and received an All-State team honorable mention in that year before moving up to the second team in 2019. She was also awarded as the North Olympic League Offensive MVP last year.
Ruth Greene – Middle-Blocker – Senior
One of the teammates Aguirre should get a lot of help from at the net is Ruth Greene. The 5’8” middle-blocker has a physical presence at the net and is very active on both offensive and defensive actions for Neah Bay. Greene was included at the North Olympic League All-League Volleyball Team last season and could make yet another jump for the Red Devils in the upcoming one.