Volleyball teams wrap up season

The seventh and eighth grade volleyball teams wrapped up another successful season this month.

The two eighth grade teams - the Turtles and Frogs - were coached by Clay Warburton. The Turtles went 15-1 for the season, losing their only match of the year to Cascade. The Frogs were undefeated.

In the loss to Cascade, Coach Warburton stated that it was one of the worst matches his team played all year.

"We stumbled in how we received the ball and didn't serve up to our potential."

On the flip side, the teams' match against Madras was a great all-around performance by all players.

"It was our most complete game," said Warburton. "We served the ball well and passed well."

Warburton pointed out the unselfish play and dedication of player Cassie Hernandez.

"Cassie was always willing to do whatever was asked of her," said the coach. She was always enthusiastic and a team player with a great attitude. Cassie played a lot of positions for me but agreed to be the setter for the Frogs. She was able to work and balance play between both teams."

Playing for the eighth grade teams this year were: Paige Brugier; Heidi Brush; Marisa Calavan; Tori DeLeone; Kaity Douglass; Cassie Hernandez; Ali Wimer; Ashley Krishner; Genna Miller; Hayden Milroy; Amanda Norman; Becca Pelham; Patience Pinard; MaryJane (MJ) Shulte; Krysten Sonnier; Jessica Sweet; Emily Thompson; Kelsy Schaad; and Amy Yoder.

The two seventh grade teams coached by Tim O'Neal also had a successful season. The squads went 15-1, losing only to Cascade.

O'Neal told The Nugget that the seventh grade teams' best performances were against Obsidian and Madras.

"We really played strong, never faltered and had our best serving matches of the season," said O'Neal.

O'Neal had 26 players on the two teams and said he honestly could not pinpoint a most-improved player. O'Neal said that all 27 players improved a bunch over the course of the season.

"All the girls grew in their general understanding of how the game should be played and strived to execute the bump, set, spike. I see lots of promise for these girls in the future, on and off the court," said ONeal.

Playing on the seventh grade teams were: Courtney Blust; Lauryn Chancey; Maclayne Diener; Katie Demolt; Morgan Duvenick; Elizabeth Eckstine; Makayla Henry; Elise Herron; Jessica Higgins; Jenny Houk; Kelsey Hulse; Ashley Jackson; Sammy Kaiser; Carrisa Kernutt; Jennifer Littler; Zoe McAllister; Taya Newton, Jessica Raz; Chelsea Reifschneider; Lauren Rudinsky; Miranda Simone; Sydney Stoneback; Rebecca Thomas; Julia Vanerlaan; Nicole Webb; and Samantha Williamson.