Sports Zone

Fall Sports Preview: Volleyball Capsules

COTTAGE GROVE LIONS
Head coach: Abby Ladd, 4th year, 27-29 overall
2022 season: 4-18, ranked #23, lost in play-in game to #12 Philomath
Schedule
8/29 Non-league vs. Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
8/31 Non-league vs. S. Umpqua, 6 p.m.
9/5 Non-league vs. Molalla, 6 p.m.
9/7 Non-league @ Hidden Vall., 6:30 p.m.
9/12 Non-league @ Cascade, 6 p.m.
9/14 Non-league vs. Klamath, 6:30 p.m.
9/19 @ Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
9/20 vs. North Bend, 6:30 p.m.
9/23 Tournament @ North Marion High
9/26 @ Junction City, 7 p.m.
9/28 vs. Marist Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
9/30 Tournament @ Creswell HS
10/5 vs. Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
10/9 @ North Bend, 6:30 p.m.
10/11 vs. Junction City, 7 p.m.
10/14 Tournament @ Marshfield High
10/17 @ Marist Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Notable newcomer
Jocelynn Joseph, freshman, 5-foot-11, #13 
Top opponents
■ Marshfield: Sept. 19 (away), Oct. 5 (home) 
■ Marist: Sept. 28 (home), Oct. 17 (away)
■ Creswell: Aug. 29 (home)

CRESWELL BULLDOGS
Head coach: Anna Baltrusch, 31st year, 549-207 overall
2022 season: 18-8, ranked #7, finished 7/8th at state tournament
Schedule
8/26 Tournament @ Cascade Christian, 9 a.m.
8/29 Non-league @ Cottage Gr., 6:30 p.m.
8/31 Non-league @ Monroe, 6 p.m.
9/5 vs. Harrisburg, 6:30 p.m.
9/7 @ Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m.
9/12 Non-league @ Santiam Chr., 6:30 p.m.
9/14 @ Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
9/18 @ Sisters, 6 p.m.
9/20 vs. La Pine, 6:30 p.m.
9/26 vs. Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
9/28 @ Harrisburg, 6:30 p.m.
9/30 Tournament @ Creswell, 8 a.m.
10/3 vs. Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m.
10/4 Non-league vs. Sutherlin, 6:30 p.m.
10/9 vs. Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
10/11 vs. Sisters, 6:30 p.m.
10/17 @ La Pine, 6 p.m.
10/19 @ Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
Top returners
Lizabelle Osborn, senior, 2022 3rd-team all-state
Ashelyn Sharkey, senior, 2022 league defensive player of the year
Kimberlee Kelsey, senior, 2022 2nd-team all-league
Top opponents
■ Pleasant Hill: Sept. 7 (away), Oct. 3 (hone)
■ Sisters: Sept. 18 (away), Oct. 11 (home)
■ Santiam Christian: Sept. 12 (away)

PLEASANT HILL BILLIES
Head coach: Jessica Crawford, 6th year, 41-44 overall
2022 season: 19-3, ranked #2, lost in 2nd round to #15 Siuslaw
State championships: 1 (1974)
Schedule
8/24 Non-league vs. Springfld., 6:45 p.m.
8/26 Tournament @ Cascade Chr., TBD
8/30 Non-league vs. Glide, 6 p.m.
9/5 @ La Pine, 6 p.m.
9/7 vs. Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
9/8 Non-league @ Valley Catholic, 6 p.m.
9/12 @ Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
9/14 vs. Sisters, 6:30 p.m.
9/19 vs. Harrisburg, 6:30 p.m.
9/23 Tournament @ Marist, TBD
9/26 @ Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
9/28 vs. La Pine, 6 p.m.
10/3 @ Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
10/5 vs. Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
10/7 Tournament @ Pleasant Hill, 9 a.m.
10/9 @ Sisters, 6 p.m.
10/12 @ Harrisburg, 6:30 p.m.
10/19 vs. Siuslaw, 6:30 p.m.
Top returners
Cheyenne Green, junior, 2022 2nd-team all-state
Claire Crawford, junior, 2022 3rd Team All-State
Top opponents
■ Creswell: Sept. 7 (home), Oct. 3 (away)
■ Sisters: Sept. 14 (home), Oct. 19 (away)
■ Valley Catholic: Sept. 8 (away)

SPRINGFIELD MILLERS
Head coach: Keri Green, 4th year, 7-43 overall
2022 season: 4-17, ranked #27, missed playoffs
Schedule
8/24 Non-league @ Pleasant Hill, 6:45 p.m.
8/26 Tournament @ Central HS, TBD
8/29 Non-league vs. Corvallis, 6:45 p.m.
8/31 Non-league @ Willamette, 6:45 p.m.
9/5 Non-league @ Marist, 6:45 p.m.
9/9 Tournament @ South Eugene, TBD
9/12 vs. North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
9/14 @ Ashland, 6:45 p.m.
9/15 Non-league vs. Mountain View, 6:45 p.m.
9/16 vs. Eagle Point, 2:15 p.m.
9/16 vs. Crater, 5 p.m.
9/19 @ Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
9/23 Tournament @ Marist, TBD
9/26 vs. Thurston, 6:45 p.m.
10/5 @ North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
10/7 Tournament @ Pleasant Hill, TBD
10/10 vs. Ashland, 6:45 p.m.
10/12 vs. Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
10/19 @ Thurston, 6:45 p.m.
10/21 @ Eagle Point, 2:15 p.m.
10/21 @ Crater, 5 p.m.
Top returners
Julissa Henderson, junior, #7, middle blocker, 75 kills, 63 blocks (12th overall for OSAA’s top blockers); missed four games. Coach says: “Julissa brings a court presence to the net that cannot be spoken about enough. She is unstoppable when it comes to helping us be a defensive threat.”
Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam, senior, #12, right side/setter, 2022 honorable mention all-league, 143 digs, 53 kills, and 77 assists for 2022. Coach: “Danaeja sets the tone for our offense and defense as a six-rotation player. In our 2022 season she hit right side when she was in the front row and set when she was in the back row. Her energy and determination are something that cannot be matched.” 
Emily Waddell, senior, #3, setter, 153 assists, 181 digs for the 2022 season. Coach: “Emily shared time with our other senior setter Danaeja, but helps create offensive opportunities for our hitters. Emily is what it means to be a calm-and-controlled teammate while keeping us in-system.”
Roster: 13 varsity players and 4 returning starters
Team strengths
■ Defense-orientated team!  
■ Large group of upperclassmen setting the stage for program improvement. 
Top opponents
■ Crater: Sept. 16 (home), Oct. 21 (away)
■ Thurston: Sept. 26 (home), Oct. 19 (away)
■ North Eugene: Sept. 12 (home), Oct. 5 (away)
■ Homecoming/senior night game: Oct. 13 vs. Churchill

2022 FILE PHOTO Springfield’s Juju Henderson spikes the ball during a match last season. Head coach Keri Green said Henderson, a junior, is one of Springfield’s key returners this year.

THURSTON COLTS
Head coach: David Natt, 4th year, 33-21 overall
2022 season: 13-9, ranked #10, lost in 1st round to #7 West Albany
Schedule
8/25 Tournament @ Mt.View HS, TBD
8/29 Non-league @ McKay, 4 p.m.
8/31 Non-league @ Lakeridge, 6:30 p.m.
9/5 Non-league vs. N. Salem, 6:45 p.m.
9/7 vs. Ashland, 6:45 p.m.
9/11 vs. Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
9/14 Non-league vs. Ridgeview, 6:45 p.m.
9/16 vs. Crater, 2:15 p.m.
9/16 vs. Eagle Point, 5 p.m.
9/19 @ North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
9/23 Tournament @ Marshfield, TBD
9/26 @ Springfield, 6:45 p.m.
10/3 @ Ashland, 6:45 p.m.
10/4 @ Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
10/10 Non-league vs. Willamette, 6:45 p.m.
10/12 vs. North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
10/19 vs. Springfield, 6:45 p.m.
10/21 @ Crater, 2:15 p.m.
10/21 @ Eagle Point, 5 p.m.
Top returners
Bailey Tovey, senior, 2022 2nd-team all-league
Scout Martin, senior, 2022 2nd-team all-league
Emily Buller, senior, 2022 honorable mention all-league
Top opponents
■ Sheldon: Aug. 25 at Mountain View Invitational
■ Crater: Sept. 16 (home), Oct. 21 (away)
■ North Eugene: Sept. 19 (away), Oct. 12 (home)

Pierre’s take
■ One of the most exciting volleyball league’s across the state this year will be the Mountain Valley Conference. The three-team race between defending league champs Sisters, Pleasant Hill, and Creswell will provide plenty of competitive drama throughout the year. Sisters returns the Class 3A player of the year in Gracie Vohs, but the Billies took down Sisters in one match last year and almost grabbed the league crown in the process. It’s never a good idea to count out the Bulldogs though, who return three of their top athletes that should all be hungry after a quarterfinal exit last season.

Your support helps The Chronicle Foundation uncover critical stories and strengthen our community. Donate today.

Eat Local

Support Local

Newsletter sign-up