Oregon’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best middles
We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oregon high school volleyball. This list focuses on the middle blockers and middle hitters.
There are hundreds of standout volleyball players in Oregon and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other middles you think should be added.
Taelyn Bentley (Crescent Valley) photo by Blake Benard
—
MB Olivia Adamo, Oregon City, senior
Pioneers coach Erica Frafjord calls Adamo “one of the smartest middle blockers on the court.” She earned second-team all-Three Rivers League honors last season while hitting .346 with 233 kills and 29 blocks. “Her ability to find holes in the defense and exploit them to our team’s advantage makes her incredibly efficient,” Frafjord added. “She’s a very effective blocker and a great defensive player who is able to read and adjust to any situation on the court.”
MB Maeve Albert, Valley Catholic, freshman
Albert is one of several underclassmen joining the reigning 3A state champions that Valiants coach Becky Kemper is excited to see how they fare on the court this fall. “An athletic, high reach middle that has great blocking instincts and is going to make waves not only this season, but I can’t wait to see her reach her potential in the next few years,” Kemper said.
MB Danica Becerril, Summit, senior
Storm coach Emily McMahon called Becerril “a true middle” who had 93 kills and 33 blocks a year ago, when she was a second-team all-Intermountain Conference pick. “A solid hitter and strong blocker with fast transitioning,” McMahon added.
MH Taelyn Bentley, Crescent Valley, junior
Bentley had quite the sophomore season. First, she helped the Raiders win their first 5A state title, making the SBLive Oregon all-state second team while hitting .442 with 263 kills, a team-high 70 blocks and 89 digs. Then, she played on two club teams that qualified for nationals — NPJ Forefront and the NPJ 17 National team. “Tae will be a force at the net again this year,” said coach Troy Shorey. “After a club season playing for NPJ Forefront, her skills have gone to another level — not only offensively but defensively, putting up blocks that are difficult to get around.”
MB Lauren Bernt, West Albany, senior
Bernt played back row for the Bulldogs last season, making the all-Mid-Willamette Conference honorable mention list and finishing with 101 digs, 56 kills and 15 aces for the fourth-place finishers at the 5A state tournament. Coach Megan Wallace said Bernt is playing with more confidence at the net, making her a better fit up front this fall — especially after the graduation of SBLive Oregon first-team all-state middle Tessa Zimmerman. “Lauren’s leadership, work ethic and energy is something that helps lead this team,” Wallace said.
MB Cali Bitzer, Mazama, sophomore
Bitzer missed the second half of her freshman season after breaking her collarbone warming up for a Skyline Conference match against Klamath Union, yet she still earned second-team all-Skyline honors with 119 kills, 49 blocks and 25 aces. She returned in the spring to finish sixth in the javelin at the 4A state track and field meet — she had never thrown one before turning out.
MB Katie Brewer, Centennial, junior
Brewer was a second-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference selection last fall who Eagles coach Michael Wohlers said is looking to take her game to the next level this season as she hopes to lead them to their first state playoff appearance since 2010. “A great athlete who leads through her play,” Wohlers said.
MB Lillimae Brumble, Crook County, sophomore
Brumble was one of the most well-rounded freshman athletes in the state last school year. She started the year by making the all-Tri-Valley Conference second team and helping the Cowgirls place fourth at the 4A state volleyball tournament. In the winter, she qualified for the inaugural 4A/3A/2A/1A state wrestling meet, coming one win short of earning a medal, then ended the year by winning a sixth-place medal in the high jump at the state track meet.
MB Berylynn Carlson, Liberty, junior
Carlson split time in the middle with Kammy Mahlum last season, with each receiving all-Pacific Conference second-team recognition. Falcons coach Andy Levoe called her “an athletic force in the middle (who) will be counted on this season to anchor us both offensively and blocking at the net.”
MB Alie Clarke, Marshfield, junior
Clarke played middle for the first time last year on varsity, and while Pirates coach Tammie Montiel said it took her some time to learn the position, once she did, she thrived playing opposite all-state middle Kate Miles, earning all-Sky Em League honorable mention and finishing with 38 blocks, 39 kills, 42 aces and 102 digs. “Although she is undersized for a middle, she jumps well and has great timing on the block,” Montiel said. “Her attack progressed as the season went on and was a viable threat by the end of the season. She only continued to improve in the offseason, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her.”
MB/OH Allison Curtis, Santiam Christian, freshman
Eagles coach Kelli Fitzpatrick is struggling to determine Curtis’ best fit on the team — she started the season playing middle, but she could move to outside or right-side hitter — but Curtis will be playing somewhere. “She is doing a great job stepping up wherever I need her,” Fitzpatrick said.
MB Lainey Day, Nelson, sophomore
Day arrived from 1A state champion Damascus Christian, where she started in the final and had five kills, four digs and three blocks. Hawks coach Lisa Flaherty-McBee is excited to see how she fares against 6A competition this fall.
MB Joya Euhus, Santiam Christian, junior
Euhus followed a solid freshman season with a breakthrough campaign last fall, finishing with 247 kills, 39 blocks and 63 aces with a 2.9 serve receive rating in making the 3A all-state third team. “She’s a 4.0 student and a wonderful example of kindness and hard work on and off the court,” said Eagles coach Kelli Fitzpatrick.
MB Rory Fix, Forest Grove, senior
Vikings coach Jeff Leo called Fix “a consistent middle” last season, when she finished with 75 kills and 20 blocks. “She has put in significant time to become a focal point of our offense this year,” Leo said. “We expect big things from her.”
MB Bayley Gustaveson, Redmond, senior
Gustaveson enters her third year on the Panthers varsity and will be a key player in their attack this season. “Having a big, strong block and a soft touch in the middle, she can place it anywhere she wants,” said coach Travis Kandle.
MH/DS Kylee Jackson, Stanfield, junior
Jackson is a six-rotation middle who not only led the team with 47 blocks last season but also had 342 digs, 119 kills and 42 aces to help the Tigers take home a fourth-place trophy from the 2A state tournament — the best finish in program history.
MB/RS Jada Johnson, Jesuit, sophomore
Johnson will take on a bigger role this season for the Crusaders after making the all-Metro League third team as a freshman, finishing with 91 kills, 35 blocks and 30 digs. “She jumps out of the gym, and we want her to get the ball whenever possible,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee said.
MB Lauryn Johnson, West Salem, senior
Johnson established herself as one of the state’s top middle blockers last year, when she made the all-Central Valley Conference first team and committed to play for Arizona State. She finished with 309 kills (hitting .314), 258 digs, 41 blocks and 26 aces. “Lauryn is a physical presence,” said Titans coach Scott Coons. “I have coached many solid players, but Lauryn is more than solid — she is dominant, a true six-rotation player. This young woman’s play is jaw-dropping. She has massive explosiveness in her attacks and blocks and plays with speed and balance.”
MB Kate Klobas, Tillamook, senior
As a junior, Klobas won Cowapa League player of the year honors and was a second-team 4A all-state selection, finishing with 258 kills and committing to Western Oregon following the season. This year, first-year Cheesemakers coach Trina Goss plans to use her all six rotations. “She brings an explosive attack and amazing blocking skills,” Goss said.
MB/S Jenna Konzelman, West Albany, senior
Konzelman is the Bulldogs’ jack-of-all-trades, capable of playing middle (where she was an all-Mid-Willamette Conference honorable mention selection in 2022), outside or setter. She finished last season with 80 kills, 64 blocks and 11 aces. “Jenna is a phenomenal all-around athlete and excels at whatever she chooses to do,” coach Megan Wallace said.
MB Rylee Lemen, Putnam, senior
Lymen is a definite gym rat, although basketball will be her ticket to college — she’s currently choosing between Southern Utah, Weber State, Idaho, Northern Arizona and Texas Woman’s University. She also has been a standout on the volleyball team, making the all-Northwest Oregon Conference team each of her first three seasons, including the first team last fall when she hit .214 and served at a 98% clip. Lemen also runs cross country and track for Putnam, placing in three events at May’s 5A state track and field championships. “Rylee has a fire and work ethic that doesn’t compare to any other athlete,” coach Jasmine Varela said. “Her drive to improve and her tenacity on the court is contagious.”
MB Olivia Lyons, Wilsonville, senior
Lyons led the Wildcats with 48 blocks last season before sustaining a season-ending injury in their home match against La Salle Prep just before the 5A playoffs. “She is a force both offensively and defensively at the net, and we expect her to be a weapon from the service line as well,” coach Scott Thompson said of his all-NWOC honorable mention selection.
MB Olivia Madsen, Westview, junior
Madsen last season served as the Wildcats’ second middle behind all-Metro League blocker Halle Garrity, finishing third on the team in kills during league play with 70 to go with 12 solo blocks. “I felt that she didn’t get the recognition she deserved last year,” coach Janelle Brandt said. “At 6-2, she’s a big presence up at the net for us, very explosive and can hammer the ball on the quick set. She had a really good club season and has gotten better and more confident in the middle.”
MB Malena Mathis, South Salem, senior
Mathis hit .206 as a junior with 115 kills and 40 blocks, making the all-Central Valley Conference second team. Saxons coach Matthew Leichty said she came to camp “looking very good. She has improved both offensively and defensively and will be a strong senior leader for us this season.”
MB Ellianna McMoore, David Douglas, senior
McMoore averaged 1.8 blocks per set last season for the Scots and made the all-Mt. Hood Conference honorable mention list. “She was also a go-to hitter,” coach Janeen Rainey said. “Ellianna is extremely coachable and brings a positive attitude every time she is on the court.”
MB Julissa Pernsteiner, St. Mary’s Academy, senior
Blues coach Wendy Stammer called Pernsteiner “probably our most flexible player in the front row.” While Pernsteiner plays right side for her club team, Stammer uses her in the middle, where she was an all-Three Rivers League first-team selection last year, when she had 239 kills (hitting .214) and 47 blocks (seven solo). “She’s not very tall, but she can put up a dynamic block, and there’s such range in her hitting,” Stammer said.
MB Annabelle Peterson, Cascade, senior
Peterson made the 4A all-state second team last year, when the four-year starter led the Cougars with 275 kills and helped them make it back to the state final, where they fell to Marshfield to end their title defense. “Annabelle is so comfortable in that middle position and just takes control,” said coach Cristina Williams. “She is also more confident this year and is one of our fierce competitors.”
MB Gracee Robertson, Sheldon, senior
Robertson played behind SBLive Oregon second-team all-state middle Kait Wood last season, hitting .241 with 96 kills and 58 blocks (seven solo) in earning all-Southwest Conference honorable mention for the first-time 6A state champions. “What’s unique about Gracee as a middle is how active she is on out-of-system plays,” said Irish coach Martine Wodke. “She puts up a great ball and has lots of energy.”
MB Ann Roesinger, Grant, junior
Roesinger led the Generals in blocks last year, and coach Erin Cole looks for even more from her this season. “She’s quick and can jump,” Cole said. “She’s one of our strongest hitters this season and will be a force in the front row.”
MB Audra Rose, St. Paul, junior
Rose had a solid sophomore season for the Buckaroos, hitting .427 (150 kills) and making the all-league team, and with all-state first-teamer Stella Koch relegated to officiating practices (out for the season with a torn ACL), her importance to the team becomes magnified. “She hits quicks, shoots, back slides, and is a very strong server,” coach Les Hiller said.
MB Avy Roundy, Marist Catholic, junior
Roundy made the all-Sky Em second team last fall for the Spartans, and coach Shari Pimental believes the Grand Canyon University commit is ready for a breakthrough season. “She has greatly improved in every aspect of her game,” Pimental said. “She looks to make an impact this year.”
MB Hayley Schaaf, Catlin Gabel, sophomore
Schaaf distinguished herself as a freshman for the Eagles, making the 3A all-state third team and finishing with 165 kills (.254 hitting), 38 blocks, 21 aces (serving .908) and 42 digs. “Hayley is fearless defensively as a blocker,” coach Jeannette Lee said. “Her attack is unlike anyone else in the gym for us. We’re excited to get back to work this year.”
MB Islee Siliga, Century, senior
Siliga arrived on campus this year from Kentridge High School in Washington and already has made an impact with her new team. “She has been a very strong addition to the team,” Jaguars coach Career Mickelsen said.
MH Carly Straub, Wells, senior
Straub stands only 5-9, but she has made herself into one of the PIL’s top middle blockers, earning first-team all-PIL honors last season. Guardians coach Mark Mendak loves her all-around versatility, saying she could even set a rotation or two. “Talent-wise, it’s there. She’s the best middle in the league,” he said. “She’s agile and moves around well, and she can play the back row and pass the ball.”
MB Brooke Williams, Oregon City, senior
Williams was an underrated member of the Pioneers’ fourth-place finisher at last year’s 6A state tournament. She made the all-Three Rivers League second team, and the Seattle Pacific commit hit .353 with 248 kills and a team-high 51 blocks. “Brooke commands the court with her presence,” coach Erica Frafjord said. “She is a force to be reckoned with and a powerful offensive weapon in the front row. She can shut down our opponent’s offense with her blocking and runs a very efficient middle attack. She has great court sense and finds openings in the defense.”
MB Drew Williams, Grant Union, senior
Williams made the 2A all-state second team last year, when she led the Prospectors with 303 kills to go with 188 digs and 88 aces. “Drew is a leader vocally and by example on the court,” coach Mariah Moulton said. “I envision her being the top hitter in our district this season.”
