Class 2A: Dark Horse – Steilacoom
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.
Steilacoom
Steilacoom has appeared in three of the last four editions of the State Championship and even if the team didn’t advance as further as it wanted in any of those occasions, it showed the program is moving forward. Good news for the Sentinels is that most of the players who stood out in their campaign last year – with the notable absence of libero Saisha Morales – will be back with more experience under their belts to hopefully take them further next season.
Their three key players are:
Danielle Faamausili – Setter – Junior
Danielle Faamausili was one of Steilacoom’s best players in 2019 and she earned an All-State team honorable mention for that. A tall setter at 5’9”, Faamausili did a great job in her main duty of coordinating the Sentinels’ offense as she dished out 884 assists (9.3 per set), but also contributed in other aspects of the game with the team’s second-best mark in both aces (50) and digs (302) and third in blocks (49).
Pomai Balderson – Outside Hitter – Senior
Another All-State team honorable mention nominee for Steilacoom, Pomai Balderson led the team’s offense with authority. The 5’11” outside hitter registered whopping 258 kills to her name, with an impressive kills percentage of 49 percent. Balderson also helped in other areas with 45 aces, 33 blocks and 276 digs.
Gabrielle Faamausili – Middle-Blocker – Junior
Danielle’s twin sister Gabrielle used all of their natural chemistry to become one of Steilacoom’s most effective offensive players as she ranked third in kills among the entire roster with 166. The 5’11” middle-blocker also took care of her duties at the net, leading the team with 106 blocks to go with her 49 aces and 128 digs.