Area high school volleyball leagues previews

Greater Spokane League

Gonzaga Prep returns eight lettermen, including third-year varsity starters and seniors Sophie West (M) and Maria Adams (M), a second-team, all-league selection. “The Bullpups players have worked hard together all summer to put themselves in a position to challenge for the GSL championship and beyond,” coach Jill Benson said. Patience O’Neal (RS), a second-team pick as a freshman, moved to western Washington. … Central Valley, last year’s league, District 8 4A and regional champion, returns first-team all-leaguers Keann White (M) and Jade Rockwood (S), both seniors, for new coach Laurie Quigley. “Our attack through the middle will be a key for us this year with returning setters and middles who have played together for a long time,” Quigley said. … New Mead coach Shawn Wilson, a veteran in the Panthers’ system, welcomes back first-team libero Payton Douglass, a senior, and five other lettermen. “This team will get stronger and stronger as the year progresses,” Wilson said. “As we gain experience, our athleticism will begin to pay off.” … University’s starting unit was hit hard by graduation, but coach Mike Summers returns five lettermen, including second-team choice Daryn Griffith (RS/MB), a senior. “We hope to be the team that some overlook and surprise,” Griffith said. “We have the talent and ability to be among the top teams again this year.” … Shadle Park coach Brooke Meyer welcomes back nine lettermen, including junior S/RS Josie Walser, a second-team pick. “We graduated Emily Rector, who was our libero for the past three years, so we need to focus on strengthening our back row,” said Meyer, who listed front-row depth as a bonus. … Four-year letterman Adrienne Dotson (RS), a second-team pick, leads the five returners for defending District 8 3A champion Mt. Spokane. “We should make another run at qualifying for state,” Wildcats coach Dave Whitehead said. “I’m excited with our potential.” … Ferris returns five starters and 10 lettermen for coach Kenny Davis. “Really positive from where the program was at five years ago,” Davis said. … The roster for second-year Lewis and Clark coach CherryAnn Coballes is comprised of seven seniors, four sophomores and one freshman. … Rogers coach Rhett Lashbook welcomes back five lettermen, including two starters. … North Central features five returners for coach Pat Rausch.

Inland Empire League 5A

Coeur d’Alene, runner-up to Idaho Falls at last year’s 5A State tournament, suffered a big blow when all-league returner Megan Ramseyer (S/OH), a University of Idaho recruit, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. Senior Missy Huddleston (OH), another all-leaguer, returns for IEL Coach of the Year Dee Pottenger. … New Lake City coach Brian Hosfeld greets five lettermen but just one returning starter. “We’ll see how fast this group can pull together and play at a high level with some of the older teams,” Hosfeld said.

Great Northern League

Senior OH Jordan Phelan, last year’s league MVP, returns for East Valley, as does senior Brooklyn Juris, a first-team libero. … Cheney returns junior OHs Rylie Pease and Taylor Gould, both second-team picks. The Blackhawks, under new coach Heather Zorrozua, opened the league season by defeating EV. … Pullman returns senior OH Melissa Langerveld, a second-teamer last season, but Chelsea Bone, a first-team setter as a sophomore, didn’t return. “We have a strong group of returners that had a great deal of playing time last year,” Greyhounds coach Jill Nelson said. … Clarkston returns senior libero Kayla Snyder, a second-team selection. … Senior MH Taija Williams helps lead West Valley.

NEA

Freeman, seeking its fifth consecutive state appearance, returns senior OH Alisha Straw, a first-team pick, and junior OH Hayley Damon, a second-teamer. “Our team should contend for league and district titles,” Scotties coach Eva Windlin-Jansen said. “We hope to make a deep run into the playoffs.” … Lakeside, which has 13 state appearances and 11 trophies for coach Kara Moffatt, returns senior Shannon Gallagher, a second-team setter, and three other starters. “We’re pretty solid in every position,” Moffatt said. “We’re good defensively and our offense is stepping up.” … Kennedy Zima is a top hitter for Colville, which began the season with a sweep of Idaho 5A Lewiston. … Deer Park returns six starters, including senior OH/L Callie Bostic, a second-team choice. “This may well be the best Deer Park team in nearly two decades,” Stags coach Jack Wood said. … Newport returns senior Hadley Stratton, a first-team all-leaguer. … Junior Maggie Cobb, a second-team choice, is back for Chewelah and last year’s coach of the year, Shirley Baker. … Kari Knowlton takes over at Medical Lake and welcomes five returning starters. “We are looking to build a strong program emphasizing the importance of volleyball skills,” Knowlton said. … Riverside returns four players, but no starters, for new coach Phil Stime.

B leagues

Northeast 2B: Defending State 2B champion Colfax returns all-league MH Scout Cai, a senior, and Carmen Gfeller for power at the net. … Junior all-league M Christine Denny returns for Liberty, now coached by EWU grad Molly Carr. … All-league MH Jessi Reed returns for Wilbur-Creston.

Northeast 1B: Almira/Coulee-Hartline, second at state last year, returns senior all-leaguers Brenna Oliver (S) and Emma Dingman (MB) and junior all-leaguer Berlyn Hunt, the co-MVP. … Odessa-Harrington, which made the state field last season, returns first-teamers Katie DeWulf (OH) and Casey Schlomer (MH). Both are seniors. … Republic, also at state last year, returns senior all-leaguers Haley McRae (S) and Demi Jo Vaughn (OH). … Valley Christian returns senior Adrienne Valenti, an all-league setter. … All-league senior S Kaleigh Driver returns for Cusick.

Southeast 1B: Defending state champion Pomeroy returns four starters, including all-leaguers Ireland Mayfield, senior S, and Kacey Halbert, junior DS/MH. … Oakesdale, state champs from 2011-13 as Tekoa-Oakesdale, returns all-leaguers Corynn Anderson, senior OH; Lindsey Lindgren, junior M/RS; and Jacey Johnson, junior OH.

Chris Derrick