Outlaws volleyball returns strong players

The Lady Outlaws volleyball team is back for another season, returning nine veteran players. Five new girls will join the squad, and the combined result is a roster full of top-notch players and a team with lots of depth.

Four seniors, including Sydney Stoneback, Lizzy Carhart, Chelsea Reifschneider and Samantha Williamson, are back for their final season and will be expected to provide leadership to the team.

Stoneback returns for her fourth year as a varsity player and will play defensive specialist/libero. Sydney has three state appearances under her belt and was selected first-team all-league libero last year.

"Sydney works real hard at being the best she can, both digging and passing," said Coach Diane Bremer.

Carhart and Reifschneider are back for their third season. Carhart will play at middle for the Outlaws and is expected to be one of the top kill leaders. According to Bremer, Lizzy has made great improvement in both blocking and hitting.

Reifschneider will return as an outside hitter, and Bremer praised Chelsea's great leadership and positive attributes that she brings to the court.

Williamson, a versatile utility player, will return for her second year on varsity.

Last year Samantha specialized in the back row and was a very good attack player, and Bremer expects the same from her this year.

Juniors Megan Minke and Kristina Sparling also return to the talented squad. Minke was voted second-team all-tournament at state last year and was also the Outlaws' kill leader. Megan will start her third year as a varsity player and will play at the middle position.

Bremer stated, "Megan is a powerhouse hitter and will definitely be a force to be reckoned with at the net."

Sparling (second-year varsity) will see time at the setter position and as a right-side hitter.

"Kristina is a lefty, and it's great to have that at the right side," said Bremer. "She's also a good blocker and hits the ball hard and powerful."

Bailey Bremer and Shannon Fouts round out the returning players and are both back for their second year of varsity. Bremer will play at outside hitter. Bremer really hit her stride at the end of last season when she tied Megan Minke with 10 kills in the Outlaws' game against Estacada, which qualified them to go to Lane Community College as one of the final eight teams at state.

"Bailey has the highest reach in the program, and I look for her to be an offensive leader at the outside for us," said Bremer.

Fouts was brought up to varsity toward the end of last season and was a great addition to the team.

"Shannon is just a delight and is passionate and knowledgeable about the sport. She will be one of our setters this year, and she's working hard at that. I think she'll be a great leader out there. She has strength and agility and is very coachable. She is very effective from the service line and has a great jump serve," said Bremer.

Five new players will join the Outlaws for what looks to be another incredible season: seniors Michaela Meeter and Jenny Houk, junior Shelby Thompson, sophomore Savannah Spear and freshman Nila Lukens.

Meeter is a transfer from Westside Christian in Portland and will help out at middle. Bremer told The Nugget that Michaela has a great work ethic, is a great blocker and she hopes that Meeter will help the Outlaws out defensively at the net. Houk helps out as a defensive specialist and will bring a great level of leadership to the team.

Thompson has worked hard over the summer to prepare for the fall season, and will be a wonderful addition to the team. Bremer noted that Shelby is a great defensive specialist and technically sound. Thompson may also see some time at setter.

Freshman Nila Lukens completes the 14-player roster, and Bremer is excited to see Lukens in action.

"Nila has a lot of athletic ability and is going to be fun to watch," said Bremer.

The entire team is ready for the upcoming season and Bremer is excited the strength and depth of the squad at every position.

"We are very strong and deep this year," said Bremer. "There's going to be a player on the bench that's as good or better as the ones on the court. Each position will have two or more players and they will push each other to excel."

The Outlaws hope to finish league as Sky-Em champs and will work to that end.

"We need to work on our offense and get it as tight as it can be," added Bremer. "Ultimately, the goal is for another state appearance."

The Lady Outlaws will kick off their pre-season at the Summit Jamboree on Friday, September 9.