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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2019)
FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE ASTORIAN SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 • 21 KNAPPA VOLLEYBALL Coach: Jeff Kaul, 10th year 2018: 9-11 (6-6 NWL) Playoff s: Lost league playoff at Nestucca, 2-3 All-league losses: None All-league returners: Sophia Carlson, Sr., Aiko Miller, Sr. SCHEDULE Aug. 29 at Warrenton 6 p.m. KNAPPA HOPES IMPROVED NET PLAY WILL RESULT IN MORE WINS Aug. 31 at Warrenton Tournament, TBA Sept. 7 at NKN Tournament, TBA Sept. 10 at Gaston 6 p.m. Sept. 12 Yamhill-Carlton 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Vernonia Tournament, TBA Sept. 17 Nestucca 6:30 p.m. Hailey Hoff man/The Astorian The team warms up with serves at the start of practice. By GARY HENLEY The Astorian T he Knappa volleyball team was the very defi nition of “middle of the road” in 2018. The Lady Loggers were 6-6 in league play, and fi nished fi fth in the Northwest League standings — ahead of four teams and behind four teams. But if you listen to Knappa coach Jeff Kaul, there’s only one way to go for the cur- rent group of Loggers: Up. “We look to be a much stronger team, with quite a bit of growth from our folks at the net this season,” said Kaul, entering his 10th year as the Knappa coach. “I have been very impressed with the improvements we have seen from the girls who have been coming to open gyms,” he said. “We also participated in the University of Oregon volleyball team camp, and I think the girls and I really learned a lot from that experi- ence. I believe that this team has what it takes to take Knappa volleyball into the post season this year. I am really looking forward to see what these girls can accomplish this season.” Knappa lost just two seniors off last year’s roster, captains Kourtney Tischer and Jordan Walter. So for the most part, Kaul knows what he has returning. “Our fi rst week (of fall practice) will be spent running the girls through drills, and hopefully be able to determine those who will be making the jump from JV to varsity,” Kaul said. “That said, we have six returning play- ers, with two seniors, Sophia Carlson and Aiko Miller. “Aiko will most likely return as our libero, and Sophia has been working hard during the off season to improve her hitting, and will be Sept. 19 at Portland Christian 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Faith Bible 6:30 p.m. one of our big forces on the outside hitting position,” said the coach. A pair of juniors, Megan Hellberg and Vicki Ramvick, also return, and “both will be focusing on the middle blocker position,” Kaul said. “The last two returning are Hannah (Dietrichs) and Taylin (Regier). Both played varsity last year as freshmen and did a great job for us. “Taylin has been working hard all spring and summer on improving both her outside hit and back-row attack, as well as her jump serve,” Kaul said. “Hannah also has returned this fall with more strength and should be another weapon for us at the net.” The rest of the roster “is pretty much up for grabs,” he said. “We are looking for one or two setters this season to replace Kourtney, and we have not decided yet on who will get the nod. The remaining four or fi ve positions will be fi lled after tryouts are completed.” Sept. 26 Portland Christian 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Mannahouse Christian, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Vernonia 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Columbia Christian 2:30 p.m. Oct. 7 Mannahouse Christian 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 Columbia Christian 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Westside Tournament, TBA Oct. 15 at Neah-Kah-Nie 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Vernonia 6:30 p.m.
