Volleyball: Plenty of returning talent in MCC

Some coaches favor Southridge. Others Kamiakin, Chiawana and Richland.

After a week of Mid-Columbia Conference play, the Suns are at the top of the MCC standings with Kamiakin at 2-0 heading into tonight’s matches, with Pasco looking to play the spoiler earlier on with a win over Walla Walla and a five-set loss to Kamiakin.

“After our game against Pasco, I can definitely see them in the top three,” said Blue Devils coach Kim McDaniels. “This Pasco team is the best one I have seen, with their typical strong defense, but an unusually strong offense. Aside from them, Kamiakin and Richland will show up strong this year.”

Southridge replaces three key starters from last season, but the cupboard is not bare.

“We will not be at the strength that we were last year, but we will be stronger toward the end of the season,” said Suns coach John Lengphounpraseut. “Our goal is to make another state trip for the third straight year, which has not been accomplished in volleyball by the Kennewick school district. It will be a tough battle to get that trip, but our players are getting ready for it.”

Richland coach Bob Raidl said there are no dominant teams this season, and he expects to see improvement from every team throughout the league.

A few key matches to watch this season are Richland at Pasco tonight, Chiawana at Kamiakin on Thursday, Pasco at Chiawana on Sept. 23, and Southridge at Kamiakin on Sept. 25.

ChiawanaThe Riverhawks split their matches to open the season, with 6-foot senior middle Megan Steach leading the way with 18 kills. Sophomore McKaidan Moore, a 5-5 outside hitter, also has been strong with 18 kills. Sophomore setter Ashtin Olin has been outstanding in her first varsity season with 56 assists.

HanfordSenior setter Bailee Drussel, a second-team all-MCC pick, is joined by junior middle Morgan Rasmussen and senior outside hitter Reilee Williams. Sophomore Tasha Hungate, a 5-11 middle, has been consistent in her first year of varsity, and sophomore libero Kayln Smith has been a little “spark plug,” said first-year Falcons coach Kate Mitchell. “We have a lot of potential and a lot of depth. It’s just a point of putting it all together. They have not been a winning program in the past, and we have to change that mentality.”KamiakinThe Braves have twin towers in 6-foot-1 senior Andrea Stapleton and 6-1 sophomore Allison Stapleton, but coach Mary Opitz said many players have stepped up to do “key” things during their first two matches this season. Senior hitter Amanda Lee had 26 kills, while senior setter Dani Burke handed our 47 assists and senior libero Rachel Leshikar had 72 digs.

KennewickSenior setter Kaylee Hagadorn controls the game and runs the floor. In her first two matches, she handed out 24 assists and 23 digs. Middle Taylor Hendrickson, a 5-11 senior, controls the blocking, and 5-10 freshman Breanna Shaffer has been a nice surprise at right side/outside. “She has more talent and abilities than a lot of older girls in the league,” said Lions coach Julie Maciboba.

PascoThe Bulldogs have had their share of misery the past two seasons, going a combined 5-23 in the MCC. But things are looking up. Pasco is 1-1 on the young season, and its loss was a five-set donnybrook with Kamiakin. Sophomore Catelyn Linke has controlled play at the net with 34 kills, while sophomore setter Victoria Estes has handed out 63 assists, and junior libero Lacie Ortiz has been busy with 85 digs.

RichlandSenior hitter Hailey Turner is a first-team all-conference pick from last season, and she is joined by junior setter Taylor Moody, a second-team all-MCC pick. Turner had 19 combined kills in the Bombers’ first two matches. Seniors Sarah McCormick, Rachel Connolly, Chloe Shea and Alicia Maul will “provide experience and leadership to an otherwise pretty young group,” Raidl said.

SouthridgeComing off a third-place finish at state last year, the Suns lost a few key players in setter Kylie Fraga, the MCC Player of the Year, and middles Kimberly Brinkworth and Paige Thompson. But the Suns have retooled their game and have plenty of weapons in their arsenal. Junior libero Makenna Behrens, a first-team all-MCC pick last year, has 43 digs, while seniors Jordan Mix and Alyssa Palmer, second-team MCC selections, have been a force at the net with a combined 39 kills in sweeps of Chiawana and Hanford. “We are counting on their experience to anchor our team this year,” Lengphounpraseut said.

Walla WallaThe Blue Devils aren’t starting from scratch, but they have just six returning players with any varsity experience. Senior hitters Reece Carman and Madi Doepker, who were all-MCC honorable mention selections last season, have a strong court presence on offense and defense. “We have a ton of depth in our team this year, which will provide more opportunities to see Madi and Reece put down some numbers,” McDaniels said. “I am expecting some excitement from my team this year. We are ready to shake things up.”

w Annie Fowler: 582-1574; afowler@tricityherald.com; Twitter: tchicequeen

This story was originally published September 15, 2014 at 10:57 PM with the headline "Volleyball: Plenty of returning talent in MCC."