GSL Preview Volleyball
The new-look league is a combination of six 4A teams and five 3A teams after Shadle Park and Rogers dropped down a classification. As a result, the stakes will change come playoff time, but for now mu
They can dig it
It’s hard to say if LC senior Oceana Bush is better in the front or back row, but there’s no doubt that through the years she has proven her savvy on defense. Shadle also has some scrappy players in the back row, including libero Kaylee Rector. EV libero Kirsten Kelly is another player to watch, along with teammate Justine Simpson. Mead, as always, has a strong core of defensive-minded hitters, including junior Madison Dahlstrom.
It was a set-up
The league lost two invaluable setters last season – Mead’s Karyn Mockel and LC’s Laurie Yearout. Shadle’s Lindsay Niemeier is one of the top setters in the league, and watch for junior Emma Barrington to step in and lead the Panthers to another run at the title and senior Hilary Koenigs to do the same for LC. The up-and-coming EV offense will be run by senior Kelsey Kurtz.
Hitting it hard
The front-runners – Mead and LC – both have some weapons at the net. The most explosive hitter in the league is 5-foot-7 Bush, while the most exciting player to watch is Mead junior middle blocker Alexis Olgard, who towers above the rest of the league at 6-5 and recently gave her oral commitment to play for Pac-10 power USC. They are the only two returning players from last year’s All-GSL first team. Another force in the middle is LC senior Chloe Rowand. EV’s Allie Riggin is also an impact player at the net.
A family affair
Three coaches have daughters on their varsity rosters this season – including Mead coach Judy Kight and sophomore daughter Kaely Kight. Sophomore Alyssa Dorr made dad Jim Dorr’s squad at EV, and sophomore Kenzie Reid did the same thing for dad John Reid at Mt. Spokane. … Other players to watch: Mead’s Erica Norris (senior outside hitter), University’s Chenise Pakootas (junior outside hitter), Rogers’ Kayee Xiong (sophomore libero), G-Prep’s Shelby Wendt (senior outside hitter), CV’s Shannon Giusti (junior setter), EV’s Amanda Hiebert (senior middle blocker), NC’s Ashley Sillivan (senior middle blocker), LC’s Mariah Westlake (senior libero), Shadle’s Amy Before (senior outside hitter), Mt. Spokane’s Amie DeWolf (senior outside hitter) and Ferris’ Kiley Kamitomo (sophomore outside hitter).