Tuesday Match to Watch: Steilacoom vs White River
It’s that time of the year again! The high school volleyball season is progressing at full pace in the state of Washington and we’re all enjoying all the exciting prospects of the Evergreen State in action once again. Twice a…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s that time of the year again! The high school volleyball season is progressing at full pace in the state of Washington and we’re all enjoying all the exciting prospects of the Evergreen State in action once again.
Twice a week, we’ll use this space to recommend some matches to keep and eye on and, most importantly, some of the most interesting prospects you’ll want to watch if you have an opportunity.
This our match to watch on Tuesday, October 19th:
Steilacoom vs White River – 7.15pm
The Sentinels from the Steilacoom High School are among the top performers in the entire state so far, with ten victories and just two losses – one of which to White River almost a month ago. Outside from one positive result, all these matches were for district play and the 9-2 win record places head coach Blair Suek and his players in second at the 2A South Puget Sound District.
The Hornets from the White River High School in Buckley are right behind their next opponents, ranking third in the 2A South Puget Sound District with eight victories and three losses. The team led by head coach Gressa Eide has performed even better outside of pool play, holding a 14-4 season record so far.
Players to Watch – Steilacoom
Gabrielle Faamausili – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Club: Puyallup Juniors – 2022
A middle blocker in her first three seasons of high school volleyball, Gabrielle Faamausili moved to the outside hitter position this year. The 5’9” prospect has been able to keep her efficiency level really high in the new position and is by far Steilacoom’s top scorer in 2021 with 161 kills (4.5 per set) and a 39.8% kill rate. Her blocking game continues on point, as she leads the Sentinels in that area too with 18 stuffs, and she’s proven to be a capable defender as well, having dug 104 balls already.
Danielle Faamausili – Setter/Right Sider – Club: Puyallup Juniors – 2022
Unlike her twin sister, Danielle Faamausili remained in her original setter position in her final year of high school volleyball, but her role with the team changed a bit too. Last year’s district’s MVP, Danielle continues to be Steilacoom’s top ball-handler, having tallied 293 assists (8.1 per set) already, but she’s also taken on a more effective scoring role with the team. The 5’9”, left-handed setter has produced the team’s third-highest mark of 56 kills and has also helped the Sentinels with 98 digs and a team-high 28 aces.
Players to Watch – White River
Elle Thomas – Outside Hitter – 2022
Part of the district’s first team last season, Elle Thomas returned even stronger in 2021 and has turned into a real scoring machine for White River. The 6’1” outside hitter has produced alone nearly half of the team’s 507 kills at 245 (4.5 per set) and has done so with an extremely effective kill rate of 41.7%. Thomas is much more than a hitter, though, as she also amassed 152 digs, 176 passes, 29 aces and 11 blocks.
Marissa Dahl – Setter – Club: Puyallup Juniors – 2022
The duel between two highly-productive setters who are teammates in the club teams will certainly be an interesting storyline for this match. Marissa Dahl has been doing a great job in running White River’s offense as she assisted her Hornets’ teammates 468 times already this season, to an average of nine per set. The 5’4” Dahl has also been productive from the service line with a team-high 40 aces and on defense with 126 digs.