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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2017)
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 9 Volleyball program returns top-notch players By Rongi Yost Correspondent The girls volleyball squad returns eight players this sea- son. Several come back with all-league and all-state hon- ors under their belts. Senior setter Hawley Harrer returns for her final season, before she heads to UCLA as a Division 1 player. Harrer has earned numerous awards, including last year’s 4A State Player of the Year. She was the Sky-Em Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, and earned first-team all-league in 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2016, Hawley was selected as Sisters High School’s Female Athlete of the Year. In 2017, she was finalist for the Oregon Prep Volleyball Player of the Year and also a finalist for the Oregon Prep Athlete of the Year. Harrer is a tremendous athlete and volleyball player and will be a leader on the floor this year. Coach Rory Rush told The Nugget that her level and knowledge of the game will raise the level of play for the entire team. Jessie Brigham is also a senior and will return as the Outlaws’ libero (defensive specialist). Brigham has also earned many top-level hon- ors, including first-team all- league in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and first-team all-state in 2015 and 2016. She was also selected second-team all-state in 2014. Jessie has an amazing ability to read and anticipate the ball, and will be a force in the back row for the Outlaws. Rush said that Jessie brings inten- sity and passion to the court that will elevate play. Ashlynn Cantwell (senior) is a second-team all-leaguer and will play outside hitter. Cantwell is a solid all-around player, and her strength and quickness will bring a pow- erful attack from the outside. Cassidy Ling-Scott will see time at both the right side and setter. Cassidy took last year off from volleyball, but returns as a senior for her final year. Ling-Scott has great hands and will play opposite from Harrer. She will also bring intensity to the Outlaws’ right side. Erynn Ricker (senior) is an outstanding athlete and volleyball player. Erynn will play at middle hitter and will bring quickness and power to that position. Juniors Sydney Head and Kendra Sitz (junior) will both see time at outside hit- ter. Head, in addition to out- side hitter, will also play as a defensive specialist and be a valuable asset in the back row. Sitz is returning from an ACL surgery after missing half of the 2016 season. She’s been dedicated to her recov- ery and will bring a powerful attack on the outside. Kendra is very versatile and has the ability to play any position. Sophomore Samantha Silva is a great utility player and is able to play any posi- tion with intensity and con- sistency. Rush stated that Samantha is a great team player and her teammates trust she will get the job done. Five new players will join the Lady Outlaws this year, including sophomores Ad el y n M y h re, M at t i e Mynatt, and Maddison Anderson. Freshmen Ellie Rush and Sophie Silva will round out the roster. Myhre will get some time and experience in at the set- ter position, and according to Rush, will most probably take over as setter next year. Mynatt will also gain expe- rience at the varsity level. Rush noted that with so many players graduating this year, Mattie will need to be ready to be a force at the net next year. Anderson will see time at both the right side and as a defensive specialist, Rush will see time at setter, and Silva will play middle. Our returning players have so much they can teach our up-and-coming talented players about the game... — Coach Rory Rush Rush said, “This year we have a solid group of expe- rienced players and athletes returning from a historic sea- son. Our core group brings lots of experience playing at the high school level, and being recognized as some of the top players around the state. “This year we look to continue the winning tradi- tion, build on past success, and continue to build a cohe- sive fundamental foundation in our program for years to come. Our returning players have so much they can teach our up-and-coming talented players about the game and how to bring intensity to the floor. I am looking to them to be leaders on and off the floor as we look to continue to grow as a program and make our community proud. I am excited to lead this group of young ladies as we embark on an exciting season.”
