CRESWELL – When Covid hit in 2020, Sarah Hanson and her daughter, Piper, had to turn their home into a volleyball court.
“I would go over there and they are in the living room, Sarah hammering balls at Piper,” recalled Anna Baltrusch, Sarah’s mom. “I said, ‘How are you not hitting that fan with glass light bulbs, how are they not broken by now?’”
As the Covid pandemic dragged on, the answer to that question changed.
“Ever since Piper was little, we would hit balls off the wall and during Covid, that was all we could do,” Hanson said. “But we did break the light in the living room a couple of times.”
Sarah and Piper were willing to do whatever it took to continue the family tradition that has centered around Creswell volleyball for nearly three decades and three generations.
Baltrusch
Baltrusch joined the Bulldogs’ coaching staff in 1993 and took over as head coach in 1996, making this her 32nd season leading the program. She coached both of her daughters and now her granddaughter as well. Hanson, who took over as coach during the one year when Baltrusch took a break, is one of her mom’s assistants.
“It just feels normal to me, like it’s always been,” Hanson said.
Piper Hanson is one of the top volleyball players in the state and was contacted by TCU, Arizona, Gonzaga and more schools on June 15th, the first day 2027 recruits could be contacted this summer.
New Oregon coach Trent Kersten also called that day and Hanson committed to play for the Ducks two days later.
“That was my dream come true, I had wanted to play at Oregon since I was little,” she said, adding that she attended the UO volleyball camp run by the new staff the week before she committed. “Those are the only college volleyball games I went to growing up and that was what made me dream of playing in college. The new coaches were amazing and that sealed the deal.”
Sarah Hanson played volleyball at UTEP and her older sister, Heather, played at Heritage Christian College in El Cajon, Calif.
“We have pictures of Piper in a ball cart as a baby, she’s been around volleyball since she was born,” Hanson said. “She loves it more than any of us ever did. She has such a passion for it, it shows to coaches and that is why they were recruiting her early.”
Seeking first state title
With her college choice made, Hanson will try to bring her grandmother the first state title in school history. Baltrusch has led the Bulldogs to four state title games, losing in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019.
“I think we have so much potential to be great,” Piper said. “I think we could be state-bound; that is the goal.”
Hanson started playing club volleyball in third grade and her mom helped create a grade-school program in Creswell. She played for Webfoot Juniors for six years before playing for North Pacific Juniors in Salem this year. She also plays sand volleyball in the offseason.
The 5-foot-7 Hanson is an outside hitter for Creswell, but will likely be a libero at Oregon and plays that position for her club teams.
“She knew she wasn’t going to get much taller and she dreamed of playing at the highest level, so she started working at libero,” Sarah Hanson said.
Lots of experience
The Bulldogs return a veteran team that looks to be among the 3A contenders again in the Mountain Valley Conference.
“It is nice because last year we had a whole new team and I had to explain all the drills, but now I say we are doing Friendly Fire or Dig or Die and they know what we are doing,” Baltrusch said. “When you have a new group, there is a lot more stopping to explain things and you have to do more teaching than practicing. I am very excited about this team.”
Seniors Rylee Cline and Teighlor Nunez are team leaders along with Hanson. Sophomores Marley Query, Stella Shaw, and Kadence Stephens return, while sophomore Izzie Trenholm and freshman Ava Sharkey join the team.
BOB WILLIAMS / THE CHRONICLE
“This reminds me of the 2015 team that got to the state championship. We have some talent, but we won’t know how good we are until we play somebody,” Baltrusch said. “It is fun to see how well they are coming together. We had our first meeting and set goals and they said, ‘Let’s have lunch together every day at school’. All their goals were about being sisters and family. That is a good start, and now we will see what comes next.”
BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTO
Three decades and more to go
Baltrusch, who retired from teaching last year, will make it 30 years as head coach at Creswell during Piper’s senior year and notes she could stick around longer with a talented young group of players coming along. However, she also joked that Heather’s two girls, ages 10 and 5, may come calling as well.
“I might have to move to San Diego to coach my other granddaughters,” she said.
Piper Hanson would tell her cousins to enjoy that experience as much as she has.
“It is so fun playing for her,” she said. “Normally, people complain about playing for their parent or grandparent, but she’s so great. It’s awesome.”
Steve Mims is a veteran sports reporter in the southern Willamette Valley.
VOLLEYBALL 2025
COTTAGE GROVE
HEAD COACH
■ Abby Ladd is in her 6th year at Cottage Grove … 48- 52 Cottage Grove and career record.
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 11-10, 3-5 in league play…3rd in Sky-Em League … Lost to Henley 3-1 in the first round of playoffs … No. 9 in Class 4A.
TOP THREE GAMES
■vs. Marist, Sept 23, 6:30 p.m
■vs. Marshfield, Sept 25, 6:30 p.m.
■vs. North Bend, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Senior night
■vs. North Bend, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity returners: 6
TOP RETURNERS
■ Jocelynn Joseph, Pin, No. 13, 6-foot, Jr
■ Makya Alsup, Middle, No. 15, 6-foot, Sr.
■ Jayda Bruner, Setter and Libero, No. 10, 5-foot-2, Sr.
■ Mariah Bailey, Pin, No. 4, 5-8, Sr.
■ Taylor Bennett, Pin, No. 12, 5-8, Sr.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
■ Alexsis Woody, Pin, Jr.
■ Emma Bash, Libero, Jr.
■ Kailee Drescher, Middle, So.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■Ball Control
■Teamwork
■Drive
Coach Ladd says: “We are looking forward to a season of strong competition and the opportunity to prove who we are and what we are capable of. This is a tough group of girls who have worked hard and grown together in volleyball and as people.”
CRESWELL
HEAD COACH
■ Anna Baltrusch is in her 32nd year at Creswell … 386-175 Creswell record …578-226 career record.
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 13-11, 7-3 in league play…3rd in Mountain Valley Conference … Lost to Vale 3-2 in first round of playoffs …No. 14 in Class 3A.
TOP THREE GAMES
■vs. Valley Catholic and Coquille, Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
■vs. North Bend and Marshfield, Sept. 16, 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
■vs. Sisters, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Senior night
■vs. Harrisburg, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity returners: 8
■ Returning starters: Offense (4), Defense (4)
TOP RETURNERS
■ Piper Hanson, OH, No. 12, 5-7, Jr.
Notes: Hanson has verbally signed with the University of Oregon. During the 2024 season, she had 449 kills and 442 digs.
■ Teighlor Nunez, Setter, No. 4, 5-foot-8, Sr.
Notes: Nunez had 780 assists during the 2024 season.
■ Rylee Cline, OH, No. 2, 5-foot-5, Sr.
Notes: This will be Cline’s first year playing outside hitter.
■ Marley Query, MH, 5-foot-9, So.
Notes: Query logged 54 stuff blocks in the 2024 season. This year, she will be making her presence known with her attacks and tough serving.
NOTABLE NEWCOMER
■ Stella Shaw, MB and OP, No. 8, 5-foot-9, So.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■Defensive and serve receive will be strong
■Experienced setters will be mixing it up on offence with several experienced, strong hitters starting with Piper Hanson, Rylee Cline and Marley Query.
■Tough and accurate servers.
■ Coach Baltrusch says: “With Teamwork as our goal, victories will happen along the way.”
PLEASANT HILL
HEAD COACH
■ Jessica Crawford in her 8th year at Pleasant Hill … 91- 49 Pleasant Hill and career record
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 29-2, 10-0 in league play… 1st in Mountain Valley Conference … Lost to Burns 3-2 in the semifinals, but then won against Corbett 3-0 to take third in the state overall … No. 1 in Class 3A.
TOP THREE GAMES
■vs. Creswell, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.
■vs. Marist Invitational, Sept. 20, TBD
■vs. Sisters, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.
Senior night
■vs. Sisters, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity returners: 4
■ Returning starters: Offense (1), Defense (1)
TOP RETURNERS
■ Anna Crawford, OH, No. 13, 5-7, Jr.
Notes: Crawford was injured for five weeks last season, but then returned to be an integral part of last year’s final run. She earned an honorable mention with 118 kills, 183 digs, and 91 serving percentage.
■ Rylee Needham, S/DS, No. 4, 5-foot-5, Jr.
Notes: Needham has worked hard to transition to a setter position. Last season, she filled a D.S. role with 139 digs, 93 serving percentage, and 31 aces.
■ Luci Brady, OH, No. 1, 5-foot-5, Sr.
Jordynn Crawford, Liberio, No. 5, 5-foot-4, Sr.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
■ Acadia Bloxham, MH, No. 11, 5-foot-7, Jr.
Notes: The softball star joins volleyball for the first time since 8th grade and has already hit the ground running for the volleyball team.
■ Sari String, OH, No. 3, Jr.
Notes: String was a vital part of the Billies in the 2023-’24 state run for second place. She returns to Pleasant Hill in her junior season.
Sienna Shaddon, S, No. 8, 5-foot-6, Jr.
Notes: Shaddon moves up from JV this year as a primary setter.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■Scrappy and energetic
■Solid serving
■Several well-rounded players/athletes
■ Coach Crawford says: “We are excited to play and compete.”
SPRINGFIELD
HEAD COACH
■ Andrea Barrera in her first year at Springfield … 0-0 career record.
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 6-16, 2-10 in league play…6th in Midwestern League … Missed playoffs … No. 24 in Class 5A.
TOP THREE GAMES
■vs. Thurston, Sept. 25, at 6:45 p.m.
■vs. Churchill, Sept 11, at 6:45 p.m.
■vs. North Eugene, Oct. 2, at 6:45 p.m.
Senior night
■vs. North Eugene, Oct. 28, 6:45 p.m
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity returners: 4
■ Returning starters: Offense (3), Defense (1)
TOP RETURNERS
■ Sailor Hall, OH, No. 10, 5-foot-9, Jr.
■ Leilani Vann, S, No. 8, 5-foot-8, So.
■ Jayden Ramirez, Libero, No. 1, 5-4, Jr.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
■ Tynlee, OH, No. 5, 5-foot-7, Fr.
Notes: “Tynlee possesses many notable skills as a freshman. She is at a very mature skill level and is ready to compete. She will definitely be a standout for our program,” Barrera said.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■Good attitudes
■Team chemistry
■Very coachable and committed to getting better
■ Coach Barrera says: “I’m very excited for this year, and the group of girls we have. There’s truly a lot of potential here on the team, and what stands out most is their determination to grow in the sport and improve every day at practice. Each player individually brings something amazing to the team. I think we have all of the skills mentally and physically to build something special this year.”
THURSTON
HEAD COACH
■ Kayla Devereaux in her first year at Thurston… 0-0 career record.
2024 SEASON
■ Recap: 6-13, 5-7 in league play … 5th in Midwestern League … Missed playoffs … No. 17 in Class 5A.
TOP THREE GAMES
■vs. Churchill, Sept. 23, 6:45 pm
■vs. North Eugene, Sept. 30, 6:45 p.m.
■vs. Crater, Oct. 14, 6:45 p.m.
Senior night
■vs. Springfield, Oct. 21, 6:45 p.m.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
■ Varsity Returners: 6
TOP RETURNERS
■ Addison Nelson, OH, No. 10, Sr.
Notes: Coming into her senior season, Nelson is already a leader for the team on and off the court. She makes her teammates a priority, radiates positivity, and all while staying fiercely competitive. As an outside hitter, Nelson is an absolute powerhouse. She is strong, fast, and smart. Her power will be an asset for our team this season.
■ Olivia Race, DS/OP, No. 9, Sr.
Notes: Race is another senior on the Colts roster this year. She is incredibly dynamic, plays in multiple positions, and she can do it all. She is looking to focus more on her defensive specialties this season. She makes quick, precise reads in defense and will pick up whatever comes her way.
■ Emma Efseaff, OH, No. 3 and Payton Tovey, No. 8, Jr.
Notes: Efseaff and Tovey are a pair of juniors who are incredibly talented all around. They are among our most consistent in serve receive, can put in some tough serves, and play aggressively at the net. Both return to varsity ready to compete at a high level.
■ Kylee Skinner, MB, No. 6, Jr.
Notes: Skinner returns to varsity as a middle blocker. She reaches high, attacks fast, and puts up a solid block. “We look forward to incorporating her in lots of plays and seeing her score some big momentum points for the Colts this season,” Devereaux said.
■ Mallory McGuire, S, No. 7, Jr.
Notes: Last season, McGuire played a successful stint as Thurston’s libero. This season, she will be putting her ball control to work as a setter. She has great court awareness and plays incredibly smart. McGuire knows how to run a fast-paced offense and commands the court.
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
■ Jennifer Newell, MB/OP, Jr.
Notes: Newell, a junior, is a new addition to the varsity roster. She is extremely athletic and capable in many capacities as a hitter and setter. “We are excited to have Jennifer at the net putting up a solid block and putting in some big swings,” said coach Devereaux.
■ Sofia Scott, So.
Notes: Scott is a sophomore setter. She has a great touch on the ball as a setter and puts up an impressive block on the right side. “We are looking forward to utilizing her height, strength, and consistency,” Devereaux said.
■ Victoria Stidhem, Jr.
■ Mia Olson, So.
■ Mallory Owens, So.
■ Katelyn Crook, So.
TEAM STRENGTHS
■ Speed and Agility: This group is quick, agile, and extremely athletic; they will make some incredible plays in out-of-system settings.
■ Competitive: This year’s varsity is seeking to be challenged. They want to be pushed, they want to push others, they want to fight for their wins, and get better every day.
Coach Devereaux says: “I am really excited to see what this team can accomplish this season. As the new head coach, I came into the gym not knowing what to expect in terms of talent and character. Turns out, we have some promising potential and a solid group of young women. We are really excited to get some wins under our belt and get the momentum rolling. We are hopeful this season will be a winning one.”
