THE ASTORIAN
FALL SPORTS PREVIEW
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 • 5
ASTORIA
VOLLEYBALL
Oct. 3 at Valley Catholic
6:30 p.m.
Coach: Jessie Todd, 4th year
Oct. 10 at Seaside 6:30 p.m.
2018: 9-12 (2-6 Cowapa)
Oct. 12 at Seaside
Tournament, TBA
Playoff s: Lost play-in match at
Marist, 0-3
Oct. 15 Banks 6:30 p.m.
All-league losses: None
Oct. 17 at Tillamook 6:30 p.m.
All-league returners: Halle Helmersen,
Jr., Julia Norris, Sr., Hailey O’Brien, Sr.
Oct. 19 at Marshfi eld Tournament, TBA
SCHEDULE
Oct. 22 Valley Catholic 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 at Catlin Gabel Noon
Have a
Sept. 5 Estacada 6 p.m.
Sept. 7 Cascade Tournament, TBA
Sept. 12 Rainier 6 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Dallas Tournament, TBA
Sept. 19 at North Marion 6 p.m.
Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian
A player spikes the ball over the net.
Great Season!
CLATSOP POWER
EQUIPMENT, INC.
SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS
Sept. 24 Seaside 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Banks 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Tillamook 6:30 p.m.
SET TO WIN
By GARY HENLEY
The Astorian
T
he 2019-20 school year has all
the makings of a big year for
girls’ sports at Astoria High
School.
A basketball team that’s ready to chal-
lenge for a 4A state title and a softball team
prepared to take over the Cowapa League
standings will join the already strong
cross-country and track programs.
Volleyball is also ready to make its
move, as Jessie Todd begins her third sea-
son as the Astoria coach.
And year No. 3 all centers around three
athletes who will be major contributors in
basketball and softball as well — seniors
Julia Norris and Hailey O’Brien, and junior
Halle Helmersen.
Norris is a setter/hitter, O’Brien wears
the libero uniform, and Helmersen is an
outside hitter/middle blocker. All three
were all-league last season.
In addition to the big three, the Lady
Fishermen have a number of returning
players for the volleyball season.
Middle blocker Kajsa Jackson is back
for her senior season, while a large junior
class includes Kelsey Fausett and Landri
Mickle (both outside hitters/middle block-
ers), along with defensive specialist Skylar
Sturtz and setter Taja-Rae Tuimato.
Setter/right-side hitter Mollie Matthews
is the lone sophomore on the roster.
“Our goal is always to improve each day
and compete every night,” Todd said.
League-wise, the challenges are still
there, to be sure.
League and defending state champion
Valley Catholic is still fully stocked, return-
ing fi ve of seven all-league players.
Tillamook took a big step forward by
fi nishing second in league and was ranked
sixth in state last season, while Banks
hopes to bounce back from a so-so season
(12-12 overall, 4-4 in league), returning
four of fi ve all-league starters.
“I am expecting the league will be very
even again this year,” Todd said. “Every
night will be a battle. We are all so evenly
matched, it’s going to take a lot of grit to
pull off wins.
“Valley is coming off of a state title and
only lost one senior,” she said of the Val-
iants. “They will be really tough. Banks,
Seaside and Tillamook had more seniors
leave but are well coached, so I’m expect-
ing them to bounce back from their losses
and be very competitive.”
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