Three 5A High School Programs to Watch in 2021
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With the high school season (FINALLY) right around the corner, these three 5A teams are sure to dominate their way to the 5A State Tournament. But just how far will they go? Photo: OSAA Ridgeview High School After placing second…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season (FINALLY) right around the corner, these three 5A teams are sure to dominate their way to the 5A State Tournament. But just how far will they go?
Ridgeview High School
After placing second in the 5A State tournament in 2018 and winning the 5A State Championship in 2019, the Ridgeview High School Ravens have a good shot at winning a state title in 2021. Although the Ravens lost six rotation powerhouse Rylee Troutman (now playing at Corban University), they are still returning some key players. Their starting libero last season, Ally Henry Ally Henry 5'4" | DS/L Ridgeview | 2021 State OR , who received both Intermountain First Team All-League as well as 5A Second Team All-State, will be returning having played for Central Oregon Volleyball Club during the off-season. They will also be returning one of their setters, Kennedy Buckner, who received Intermountain First Team All-League, running a 6-2 alongside then senior Allicitie Frost. In the front row, the will be returning middle blocker and captain Brooklyn DeChent, as well as three junior attackers (Jenna Albrecht, Sadie Green, and Kate West) and senior Paige Pentzer. Their coach Randi Viggiano was awarded Intermountain Conference Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to lead the Ravens this season. It will be exciting to see if they are able to make it to the 5A State finals for the third season in a row.
Key Players:
2021
Ally Henry Ally Henry 5'4" | DS/L Ridgeview | 2021 State OR , 5’4″, DS, Central Oregon Volleyball Club
Brooklynn DeChent Brooklynn DeChent 5'9" | MB Ridgeview | 2021 State OR , 5’9″, MB, North Pacific Juniors
Kennedy Buckner, 5’6”, S, Central Oregon Volleyball Club
West Albany High School
Although the West Albany High School Bulldogs placed fifth in the 5A State tournament last season, they only graduated three seniors last year so they have a good chance of making it further this season. The Bulldogs are returning all of their heavy hitters and only have one gap in their line-up: the libero. Last season this position was held by Sydney Backer, but with two defensive specialists already on their roster, the back row will be in good hands. Outside hitter 2021 Madie Dowell Madie Dowell 5'8" | OH West Albany | 2021 State OR , who received Mid-Willamette First Team All-League, and 5A Second Team All-State accolades, was a vital part of both their offense and defense. She be returning alongside 2022 Hailey Heider Hailey Heider 5'9" | OH West Albany | 2022 State OR , who originally was on the junior varsity team but was brought up to the Bulldogs varsity roster and made a huge impact on the team. Heider recently made the North Pacific Juniors 18-1 National team, one of two juniors on the team. In the middle, they will have four stellar options, 2022 Gracie Boeder Gracie Boeder 6'0" | MB West Albany | 2022 State OR , Mid-Willamette Second Team All-League, 2022 Grace Nealy Grace Nealy 6'0" | MB West Albany | 2022 State OR , 2022 Cadence Crumal Cadence Crumal 5'9" | MB West Albany | 2022 State OR , and 2021 Bella Marsh, Mid-Willamette Honorable Mention. Last season Boeder and Marsh were the starting middle blockers for the Bulldogs, however, Nealy and Crumal have made substantial improvements to their game during the offseason. Last season a bulk of the offense was run by 2021 Elijah Sanders Elijah Sanders 5'10" | S West Albany | 2021 State OR , a Mid-Willamette First Team All-League and 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection, with 2022 Sydney Harrington Sydney Harrington 5'10" | S West Albany | 2022 State OR stepping into the setters position when needed. Another impact player for the Bulldogs is their right side, Hannah Stadstad Hannah Stadstad 5'11" | RS West Albany | 2021 State OR , Mid-Willamette First Team All-League, and Southern Oregon University commit, who racked up 293 kills last season. Their coach Kelli Backer was awarded Mid-Willamette Conference Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to guide the Bulldogs this season. With a stacked roster, it will be exciting to see just how far the Bulldogs go.
Key Players:
2021
Elijah Sanders Elijah Sanders 5'10" | S West Albany | 2021 State OR , 5’10, S, North Pacific Juniors,
Hannah Stadstad Hannah Stadstad 5'11" | RS West Albany | 2021 State OR , Southern Oregon University
Bella Marsh, 5,11″, MB, North Pacific Juniors
Madie Dowell Madie Dowell 5'8" | OH West Albany | 2021 State OR , 5’8″, OH/DS, North Pacific Juniors
2022
Sydney Harrington Sydney Harrington 5'10" | S West Albany | 2022 State OR , 5’11″, S/RS, North Pacific Juniors,
Gracie Boeder Gracie Boeder 6'0" | MB West Albany | 2022 State OR , 5’11″, MB, North Pacific Juniors
Hailey Heider Hailey Heider 5'9" | OH West Albany | 2022 State OR , 5’9″, OH/DS, North Pacific Juniors
Wilsonville High School
Although falling to the Ridgeview High School Ravens in the 5A State finals last season, the Wilsonville High School Wildcats were dominant in league going 14-0. They have a good shot at making it far into the State tournament, if not all the way. Their two heavy hitters and all-around studs, 2021 Clarissa Klein Clarissa Klein 6'1" | OH Wilsonville | 2021 State OR and 2022 Ashli Edmiston Ashli Edmiston 5'8" | OH Wilsonville | 2022 State OR will be returning for the Wildcats. Klein is #6 in PrepDig rankings, who recently committed to St. Mary’s College, was awarded Northwest Oregon First Team All-League, and 5A Second Team All-State. Edmiston is #2 in PrepDig rankings and was awarded Northwest Oregon Second Team All-League. It is safe to say their outside will be in good hands. Also returning is starting middle blocker Tatum Lubisich who spent the offseason training alongside Edmiston with Athena 16-1 National. The two big holes in their line-up will be the starting libero (previously 2020 Gracie Thompson) and the starting setter (previously 2020 Kennedy Juranek) spots. Luckily, 2022 defensive specialist Sophia Kleckner has spent the offseason training for NW Elite and may be able to fulfill that role. The Wildcats also suited up one freshman last season, Makenna Wiepert Makenna Wiepert 5'11" | S Wilsonville | 2023 State OR , who made a big impact on the service line for them. However, with the setter’s position up for grabs, Wiepert may be able to take the reins, training as a setter/right side with Athena 15-1 National during the off-season. Their coach Nathan Blankenship was awarded Northwest Oregon Conference Co-Coach of the Year last season and will be returning to steer the Wildcats this season. With a dominant offense, the Wildcats have a great chance at making it all the way to the 5A State finals again.
Key Players:
2021
Clarissa Klein, 6’1″, OH/RS, Wilsonville High School, North Pacific Juniors, St. Mary’s College
2022
Ashli Edmiston, 5’8″, OH, Athena Volleyball Academy
Tatum Lubisich, 5’11″, MB, Athena Volleyball Academy
2023
Makenna Wiepert, 5’6″, S/RS, Athena Volleyball Academy