Class 2B: Top Teams – LaConner
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. As our series reaches its fourth week, it’s time to address Class 2B.
LaConner
If there’s a volleyball team in the division which is able to retain its status as a favorite in the upcoming season despite the loss of three graduating All-State first-team members, that team is back-to-back champions LaConner. The Braves won’t have the Benson twins Justine and Joanie nor outside hitter Morgan Herrera, but 2019 Co-Player of the Year Ellie Marble is returning to just her second season of high school volleyball and her presence alone should be able to keep the team among the contenders for the next three seasons. So, there’s no reason not to believe in a three-peat.
Their three key players are:
Ellie Marble – Outside Hitter – Sophomore
Ellie Marble was the main force driving LaConner’s success in 2019. The Co-Player of the Year is a handful for opposing teams at the net as the six-foot outside hitter led the Braves in kills with 397. Hitting balls, however, was by no means her only contribution to the Braves as Marble also led the team in aces (58) and digs (410) and ranked second in passes (242) and fourth in blocks (21). And keep in the mind that these numbers are all likely to go up on her second season of high school volleyball.
Rachel Cram – Libero – Junior
Working quietly behind LaConner’s block, Rachel Cram played a pivotal role in the team’s last two State Championship titles. The 5’5” defender had been as solid as it gets for the Braves, averaging 355 digs, 276 passes and 31 aces over the last two campaigns. Her play was particularly important in 2019, when she offered invaluable defensive support to Marble, which landed her a spot in the All-State second team.
Katie Watkins – Middle-Blocker – Senior
Katie Watkins was another solid contributor to LaConner’s back-to-back championship-winning campaigns, but, unlike Cram, she’ll have a huge opportunity to put up bigger numbers when the next season starts. The Braves’ third-best blocker in 2019 with 29 points, the 5’9” Watkins ranked fifth in kills with 53 and should receive more sets in the team’s new offensive which will miss three graduated seniors.