Set For Competition Ferris Brings Experience, Depth To Volleyball Season; Lewis And Clark Building After Losing Seven Players

GSL volleyball

For some of the Greater Spokane League’s best volleyball one needs to look no farther than the South Side, as both Ferris and Lewis and Clark enter the season with high expectations. Again.

Ferris aiming for GSL crown

The Saxons, last season’s undefeated league champs, are hoping to do it again. After finishing sixth in the State AAA tourney last season, the Saxons are expecting an early first-place ranking in the state’s coaches poll.

But for coach Stacey Ward, the hype just isn’t important.

“It doesn’t really mean anything,” she said. “The kids think it’s kind of cool, but we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it.”

Of course, with her lineup, Ward really doesn’t have to worry about the rankings.

The Saxons boast two returning all-league players in 5-foot-11 middle blocker Missy Blackshire and 5-11 setter Janelle Morrisette. Blackshire, a four-year letter winner, is Washington State University-bound after nailing an incredible 119 aces last season. Morrisette, a highly recruited player, has yet to sign with a school.

Senior Amy George, an outside hitter, joins juniors Julie Weatherred and Elissa Ross to round out an experienced starting lineup. Both Weatherred and Ross were starters by the end of last season.

Ferris’ roster is as deep as it is experienced. Senior backups Holly Kirschke, Katie Lee and Erin Beaumont are all solid subs. Beaumont pulls double duty; she’s also a cheerleader and gives her team an emotional lift.

Defensive specialist Courtney Gates, who Ward says moves “like a cat in the back row,” fellow junior Kasey Carlson and sophomore Shayla Bush round out the varsity roster.

“Defense is the key,” Ward said of what it will take to win the GSL. “Defense distinguishes good teams from great teams.”

Ward sees the primary challenge for the GSL crown coming from either LC or Mead, although she expects Rogers, Shadle Park, University and Gonzaga Prep to be in the hunt.

LC wants into playoffs

Lewis and Clark entered the season with high expectations, as well.

The Tigers lost seven players from a year ago, including four starters.

“If the youngsters come along and fill in the shoes, we will be competitive. If not, we’re in trouble,” said coach Buzzie Welch.

“We’re just untested; we’ll see how it goes.”

So far, it’s been mixed results for the Tigers, as they recently won the Richland Jamboree. Although no other GSL school played at the jamboree, LC beat several Big Nine schools, some of whom the Tigers may see at the regional tournament.

LC’s first match after the jamboree wasn’t quite as lucky.

Ferris beat LC 3-0. The Tigers have four seniors: Katie Querna, Gretchen Haight, Erin Naipo and Carlin Oeljen. Welch is concerned with depth in the middle, specifically finding somebody to back up Oeljen.

LC is in deep in setters, with junior Kelsey Williams starting.

Junior Alicia Wendle and sophomores Liz Huntington, Amy Kaupilla and Abby Hamre fill out the roster.

“I like my team this year,” said Welch. “They’re enthusiastic and working pretty hard.”

Although Ferris is highly ranked entering the season, Welch’s concern is in making it to state rather than winning the GSL. For Welch, the focus is on making the playoffs and getting into regionals.

For him it’s more important to be playing on the final day of the season.

, DataTimes