Scott Swanson
Last year, Sweet Home’s volleyball team’s stated goal was to make it into the state playoffs.
That didn’t happen for the Huskies, but an influx of young talent – and height – has Head Coach Alicia Meier looking ahead with some optimism.
“This is a group that definitely has the skill level to go as far as they want to,” Meier said. “I’m excited about their potential.”
The last time Sweet Home made the playoffs was 2011, when they placed sixth with a team that had played together since most of the members were freshmen.
This year’s squad is more diversified, age-wise. Meier believes the potential is there, she said.
There’s reason for optimism. Last year’s eighth-grade volleyball program’s A and B teams finished 9-1 and 8-2 respectively, thanks to athleticism and club ball experience. It also had depth.
Junior high Coach Debbie Danielson, who preceded Meier as the high school coach, said some of 2013 junior high B team members “could have been on the A team, normally.”
“We had four girls who could set; normally, we would have one or two.”
The Tigers finished fourth in the Sprague Tournament, in a field that included mostly future 6A players.
“We competed well with them,” Danielson said.
Now that team has moved on to high school and two are starting the year on varsity – Kayley Lopez and Ally Tow. Also moving up to the varsity is sophomore Madisen Barringer, who played on the varsity as a freshman and also brings height to the floor.
Couple that with the experience back from last year’s squad, which finished 5-15 overall and 4-6 in league, but came close to making state simply by playing strong defense, and that explains the confidence now.
“This year is one of our first years in while where we have a good front line, where we can attack the ball,” Meier said. “Before, we just had to hit smarter. We had no front line to block. We’ve always had to defend, defend, defend. This is a nice change. It’s exciting for me.”
Back from last year’s team are seniors Jordan Miller, McKenzie Cochran, Carlie Somatis and Sierra Thayer.
Miller played every front-row position at some point in the season last year, leading the team with 58 kills. Cochran moved from backup center to libero, where she was able to make use of her passing abilities, and led the team from the service line at 94 percent. She is a “natural leader,” Meier said.
She said those two, plus Somatis, will provide a core of starters, with Thayer providing “all-around” support.
Also back are juniors Josie Knight and Molly Fisher, who played varsity last year. Barringer, Meier said, “came on strong as a blocker” last season and she expects the Huskies’ defense at the net to be vastly improved.
Moving up from the JV will be juniors Rebecca Wooley and Lola Wingo.
“We definitely have skill level,” Meier said. “Kayley Lopez is an amazing kid.”
It’s not just the varsity that has her excited, she said. As of last week 23 girls were playing JV ball in addition to the 12 varsity members, including 16 freshmen (counting Tow and Lopez).
“We have a really good freshman class, a lot of interest,” Meier said, noting that there are plenty of players to have both a JV and a JV2 team.
“It’s a whole new year with a totally new game plan, which is exciting for returning girls as well as incoming kids. I think we’ll have a very strong JV program as well. We have that growth that every coach wants, the future of the next few years.
“A lot of kids worked really hard. They played club and came to open gyms in the summer. For those kids that came, it really did help. They’re putting in a little extra effort, and that makes a difference and holds other people accountable.”
She said she believes the Huskies have what it takes to be competitive this year in the Sky-Em League.
She sees Sisters contending for the top spot, which is normal, and after that there will be some question marks, though some teams look strong on paper.
Elmira, which finished second last year behind the Outlaws, has lost Player of the Year Kelsey Shaw and all-leaguer Sara Kestling, leaving a lack of experience. Cottage Grove ended up in the playoffs after the Huskies missed out, and has all but two players returning. Sutherlin made it into the state tournament last year and returns its entire roster. Junction City, which was very competitive with Sweet Home last year, is expected to improve from a 3-14 record.
“It is going to be interesting with the new league, with Sutherlin in and La Pine out,” Meier said.
She said she would like to see the Huskies finish high in the league – “top two.”
“We’re still relatively young, but I feel like we’re stepping up to our potential. We may start out a little slow, because we’re young, but I’m fine with that. Peaking later in season is what we want.”
The only question will be team chemistry, but she said.
“So far I’ve been impressed with their communication, how they play together and how they treat each other.
“I feel like we just have a really strong team, with no real weak links. We just have people who don’t have a lot of playing time and experience, but they’re making each other better in practice.”