Girls ready for volleyball season

The Sisters girls volleyball team begins play this week looking to improve upon last year.

The perennial front runners had a rough time last season, finishing fourth in the Capital Conference. They did have the satisfaction of making the state playoffs, but were given a hasty exit in the first round by The Dalles.

Chris Crosby returns to coach his second year and emphasized, "That was last year."

The Outlaws lost three seniors to graduation, including All-State honorable mention Elizabeth Mount. But they have a wealth of returning talent that gives Crosby reason for being upbeat.

"We return seven players -- Bethany Benhower, Chelsea Weber, Chelsea Hill, Lindsay Whent, Ashley Sweeney, Misty Macauley, and Heather McConville," he said.

"In addition, sophomores Stephanie Pledger and Brianna Wellman are coming back. Nicole Mentiens is a new senior, and sophomores Courtney Peters, Holly Van Acker, and Mackinzie McClain round out our roster."

The girls got a preview of things to come at the Stayton Jamboree, held on Thursday, September 5.

"We were 3-2 in Stayton," the coach said. "We beat Molalla, Sweet Home, and North Marion. We lost to Cascade, and then didn't play any of our starters to give the others game experience, and we lost to Stayton 23-25."

The Jamboree also highlighted some of the changes in store for girls volleyball.

Games will be now played to 25, instead of 15. In addition, Central High School was conspicuous by its absence. They are no longer part of the Capital Conference.

"I like our prospects this year," said Crosby. "We've got to be one of the favorites in the league. Four of our starters return, and the first seven have plenty of experience."

Ashley Sweeney, who at 5-feet-10-inches is one of the Outlaws' tallest players, was injured most of last year. According to Crosby, she's having a great preseason.