Class 2A: The One-Woman Shows
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 third week of our series, we present Class 2A.
The One-Woman Shows
One of the most interesting things about high school sports is that you won’t see super teams formed as often as you do in pro sports as players pick their schools based on their locations, not on higher salaries or better playing opportunities. That spreads the talent pool in a relatively wide way, making competition more entertaining and, in some cases, allows players to stand out in such a formidable way that they become true one-woman armies for their teams.
These are five players who were in this situation last season and will probably be again on the next one:
MiKayla Uhlenkott – Outside Hitter/Opposite – Senior – Pullman
Few players are as dangerous at the net as MiKhayla Uhlenkott. Capable of playing at both the outside hitter and opposite positions, the Pullman star is lethal from either spot, providing her team with a very reliable scoring option. The 6’1” hitter has a wide variety of shots and that was one of the elements that led her to be an All-State first-team selection.
Emma Swett Emma Swett 6'1" | MB Woodland | 2021 State WA – Middle-Blocker – Senior – Woodland
Emma Swett Emma Swett 6'1" | MB Woodland | 2021 State WA is another 6’1” prospect who does a lot for her team. The Woodland middle-blocker excelled in multiple categories for the Beavers in 2019, ending the season with 269 kills, 58 aces, 41 blocks and 196 digs. Such a great performance earned her an All-State team honorable mention and the third spot at prepdig.com’s class of 2021 ranking.
Ellie Lombard Ellie Lombard 6'2" | MB Mountlake Terrace | 2022 WA – Middle-Blocker/Right Sider – Junior – Mountlake Terrace
Size and versatility are two key elements of Ellie Lombard Ellie Lombard 6'2" | MB Mountlake Terrace | 2022 WA ’s game. Splitting time between middle-blocker and right sider duties, Lombard uses her 6’2” frame particularly well at the net, where she produced 142 blocking points for the Hawks in 2019 with multiple double-digit performances. The rest of her game is still a work in progress, but her blocking skills are a must-see and that’s why she’s part of prepdig.com’s class of 2022 watch list.
Raelyn Lowery – Setter/Right Sider – Senior – Highline
Raelyn Lowery played a prominent role in two of the most important areas of Highline’s game in 2019 as the senior led the team in assists with 191 (4.2) per set and ranked second in kills (64). An All-State team honorable mention nominee, the 5’8” prospect also offered significant contributions to the Pirates in other departments as she registered 54 blocks and 44 digs.
Emma Adams – Libero/Outside Hitter – Senior – Columbia River
Emma Adams is a defensive force for Columbia River. Also able to play at the net as an outside hitter, the 5’7” prospect is typically deployed as the team’s libero as has performed well enough to be considered one of the best in the division and receive an All-State team honorable mention last season, when she registered a career-high 473 digs for the Chieftains, averaging seven per set.