CRESWELL – Creswell volleyball player Teighlor Nunez took a while to break out of her shell, according to head coach Anna Baltrusch.
She had come into Creswell her freshman year already demonstrating her grit and commitment – clear signs of her potential. The transition to high school still required an initial stint on the junior varsity squad.
Nunez rose through the ranks during her high school career, and became noted for her ball control. Now, as a senior captain on the Bulldogs’ storied varsity team, she recently celebrated recording more than 1,200 assists in her career. It’s appropriate she would reach a milestone in assists – helping others – because she’s a champion of the “family” concept in the Creswell program.
“I just try to work hard every day at practice and push myself to be better – I just love playing,” Nunez said.
Nunez’s hard work was reflected on Thursday when she helped lead the Bulldogs to their first victory over Pleasant Hill since 2022. The teams played an intense five-set match; the last set was 16-14. The Bulldogs pulled away with a 3-2 match victory. Piper Hanson recorded 23 kills and 40 digs. Rylee Cline was also a key player with 26 digs and Marley Query with 18 kills, 30 digs and three aces.
Despite their loss, Pleasant Hill recorded its own achievement when outside hitter Anna Crawford earned 20 kills, 39 digs – a team record for digs in a match in recent years, coach Jessica Crawford said. Another leader was Sari Strinz with 16 kills, 22 digs and 3 aces.
Creswell battled to victory on Thursday, winning three of five sets — 16–25, 25–23, 12–25, 25–14 — and sealing the match with a thrilling 16–14 finish. CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE
Nunez, in particular, recorded 43 assists, four kills, three blocks, and six digs and rallied the Bulldogs’ morale the entire game.
“She used to be pretty quiet, but lately she’s started to get more competitive and vocal with her teammates – saying things like, ‘Come on, you guys!’ It’s been exciting to see her come out of her shell and step into that leadership role as one of the older players,” Baltrusch said.
She already has recorded 532 assists and 40 aces during her senior year. helping her reach that 1,200+ assists milestone.
“She works so hard and cares so much,” Baltrusch said. “She was even crying today about the game; it all means a lot to her.”
Nunez’s care for her team was evident during Thursday’s high-stakes rivalry game. CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE
“I love how competitive she is,” said her teammate, Hanson, who also celebrated 1,000 kills in her high school career alongside Nunez’s record. “She’s such a competitor, and I always feel like I can count on her because she’s so steady and consistent.”
Commitment, hard work
Baltrusch said that Nunez’s particular standout characteristic lies in her commitment and hard work, which has made her a role model for others and has helped her in her varsity journey.
“Teighlor’s the kid who’s always here,” she said. “She’s at every open gym, on time, setting up the net, taking care of business. She’s been like that forever. She just never misses.”
Regarding her play, Nunez showcases a deep ball control ability, which has made her a versatile player on the team.
Despite only beginning her volleyball journey in middle school, Nunez plays with an impressive command of the ball. CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE
“Teighlor’s the kind of player who’ll do whatever the team needs,” Baltrusch said. “She was actually a middle hitter, but when we didn’t have a setter last year, she stepped up. She had the best ball control, so we switched her – and she just went to work.”
This is Nunez’s second year setting but she has trained relentlessly at it – to the point where she stays after practice “for half an hour, every day, just working.”
Kindness counts
Nunez has also helped foster the Creswell volleyball culture foundation of “family,” according to Baltrusch.
“There’s always building a team or whatever, but Teighlor and Piper have made it their goal for this team to feel like a family,” she said. “To be kind, to love each other, to play for each other. That’s really been their focus.”
An example of this was when Nunez almost suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason during the North Star Jamboree, when she rolled her ankle and had to miss six games. The whole team felt her loss of presence on the court.
“She brings a lot of energy,” Hanson said. “When we didn’t have her at the beginning of the season, everything felt different. When she got hurt early on, it really showed how much we needed her. Once she came back, we realized just how big of a difference she makes for us.”
“It’s been really long, it’s been really stressful,” Nunez said about her senior season. “But at the end, everybody’s always a really good family, and we always push through together no matter what.”
CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE
“I’m sad she’s going to be gone,” Hanson said. “She’s been such a huge part of what makes our team work … It was really special to celebrate our milestones together – her 1,200 assists and my 1,000 kills. We’ve both worked hard for that, so sharing it meant a lot.”
Nunez hopes to continue to play in college and aspires to play volleyball for as long as she can. But her main motivation right now is gratitude and inclusion in the community.
“It’s for the community,” she said. “My teammates and my coaches are really motivating, and my team pushes me to be the best, and I push them to be the best.”
