Girls set to defend volleyball title

The 2001 Sisters Outlaws varsity girls volleyball team with Coach Chris Crosby.

Sisters volleyball has an unparalleled tradition of excellence. In the nine years of competition since the school's opening, the Outlaws girls have captured the league title every year.

At the 3A level, Sisters has won the Capital Conference the past seven years running. Last year, the girls continued their dominance by going undefeated in league play.

This is a new season. Gone are five of the six starters from last year's squad, including Krista Gardinier, who was the league MVP and first team All-State.

This year's team is going to have to defend the league title with an almost entirely new roster and a new coach.

First-year coach Chris Crosby is guardedly optimistic.

"It will be a tough act to follow," he said. "Sisters graduated one of the most successful four-year volleyball programs I've ever heard of. We have a young team. We have three seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. We're going to be small, fast, and have to play great defense if we're going to be successful."

Senior Elizabeth Mount is expected to carry the offense. Bethany Benhower will be the other outside hitter. Freshman Brianna Wellman will back them up.

Junior Chelsea Webber, Ashley Sweeney (a sophomore, and at 5-feet-10-inches the tallest player on the team) will play the middle. Stephie Pledger (freshman) and Chelsea Hill (junior) will split time as the setter.

Crosby, who hails from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, has experience coaching girls volleyball at the junior and club level. This is his first head coaching assignment.

The Outlaws host Sweet Home for their first home league match on Thursday, September 13, at 5 p.m.