Photo courtesy of Oakesdale volleyball
Washington high school volleyball, Class 1A, 2B and 1B preseason rankings: Another Oakesdale title?
After talking to coaches around the state, SBLive WA is releasing it Class 1A-1B preseason Top-10 girls volleyball rankings heading into fall season:
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CLASS 1A RANKINGS
Photo courtesy of Cascade Christian athletics
1. Cascade Christian
Cougars had just one senior on the team that finished fourth last year, and 6-foot-2 hitter Layne Dent leads the chase for program’s first title.
2. Chelan
Goats graduated five players from third consecutive title team, but with deep tradition and all-state OH Brynn Hughbanks, the Goats will contend.
3. La Center
Trico League champions graduated three players from last year’s eighth-place squad but a strong junior class has Wildcats thinking big.
4. Freeman
Scotties fell a set short of the trophy round but return all-state duo of Ava Semprimoznik (S, 1A Northeast MVP) and Aspyn Reed (OH).
5. Annie Wright
The Gators, unbeaten in 1A Nisqually League, have plenty back after finishing second and fourth, respectively, in the past two tournaments.
6. Lynden Christian
Lyncs have placed in the top six in last nine state trips and feature a lineup with several players at or near 6-foot tall.
7. Castle Rock
Trico League runners-up graduated just two players, and will look to extend their state streak to seven consecutive trips, three with trophies.
8. Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls
1A Northeast regular-season runners-up and district champion missed out on a trophy for just the fifth time in 19 state berths.
9. Nooksack Valley
Pioneers took a set off champion Chelan in last year's state quarterfinal, and have a handful of players 5-10 or taller due back.
10. College Place
1A SCAC East champ and district runner-up has made back-to-back state tournaments and will look to add program’s first trophy this year.
Others: Cedar Park Christian, Connell, Eastside Prep, La Salle.
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CLASS 2B RANKINGS
Photo courtesy of Manson athletics
1. Manson
Last year’s third-place finisher figures to be title contender again with all-state juniors Stella Petersen (OH) and Genesis Torres (libero) back.
2. Adna
Fifth-place at state a year ago, the Pirates return several leaguers and are in a strong position in the always-tough 2B Central League.
3. Colfax
Bulldogs coach Megan Dorman eyes her first title to go with the 14 her mother, Sue Doering, won at the Whitman County school.
4. La Conner
Hall of Fame coach Suzanne Marble retired and three-time 2B MVP Ellie Marble is at CWU, but several returners and tradition should buoy Braves.
5. Toutle Lake
Ducks’ storied program (21 trophies, three titles) has plenty back after missing the medal round by one match the last two tourneys.
6. Kalama
Six players graduated from the team that took fourth at state, but 14 consecutive state trips say the Chinooks will be just fine.
7. Lind-Ritzville-Sprague
Broncos left with a sixth-place trophy at state after being seeded 11th, and have several players back for another deep run.
8. Napavine
Tigers return a handful of all-2B Central League honorees as they try to gain ground in the toughest 2B league in the state.
9. Goldendale
Timberwolves return several all-2B EWAC West players after sweeping through conference play unbeaten while dropping just two sets.
10. Walla Walla Valley Academy
Knights battled Tri-Cities Prep for the top spot in the 2B EWAC East, eventually tying for first after splitting two meetings.
Others: Brewster, Okanogan, Tri-Cities Prep.
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CLASS 1B RANKINGS
Photo courtesy of Oakesdale volleyball
1. Oakesdale
Nighthawks in search of third consecutive state title and seventh in the past eight tourneys with CWU recruit Payton Davis leading the way.
2. Mossyrock
Vikings won first 21 matches of 2022 before meeting Oakesdale in the finals and were runners-up for fifth time in past six tournaments.
3. Neah Bay
Red Devils had just two seniors on last year’s team which won the program’s second volleyball trophy (seventh) and first since 2008.
4. Odessa
Tigers left the SunDome with the sixth-place last November with a roster that had as many eighth-graders as it did seniors – two.
5. Mary Walker
Fourth-place state finisher after claiming regular season and district title in tough 1B Northeast and graduated just three players.
6. Entiat
'B' Central Washington champs had just three seniors on their state roster, and seven sophomores or ninth graders.
7. Darrington
Loggers, who turned a 19th seed into an eighth-place finish at state, are well-tested and tourney-prepped in rugged 2B/1B Northwest.
8. Naselle
Comets graduated five all-Columbia Valley selections but had five ninth graders on their roster that took third place at state.
9. Northport
Mustangs were runners-up in rugged 1B (four teams made state) and graduated three from state fifth-place finishers.
10. Orcas Island
Vikings had just one senior, with outside hitter Bethany Carter an honorable mention all-state as a junior.
Others: Liberty Christian, Grace Academy, Mount Vernon Christian.
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