Oregon’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best hitters
By René Ferrán
Over the next week, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oregon high school volleyball. Our fourth list focuses on the outside and right side hitters.
There are hundreds of standout volleyball players in Oregon and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other hitters you think should be added.
Amyah Semau (West Linn) photo by Leon Neuschwander
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OH Reagan Anderson, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Sr.
Anderson won Lewis & Clark League player of the year honors and was a first-team all-state selection last season, when she led the Hawks to the 3A quarterfinals. She had 99 kills in the first three weeks of this season before an injury sidelined her.
OH Kendyl Arnett, West Albany, Jr.
Arnett played opposite state co-player of the year Hailey Heider last season, recording 143 kills in 52 sets while hitting .338. The three-year varsity player earned her nickname last year at team camp, when she introduced herself to the camp director, who misheard her name. “We now lovingly call her Darrell any time she makes one of her crazy, behind her head, backward kills that she is famous for,” Bulldogs coach Megan Wallace said. “Kendyl is so fun to watch. She reads the ball well and has an incredible understanding of the game.”
OH Alize Bakker, Westview, Sr.
Bakker is a four-year varsity player who has played a big part in the program’s turnaround from sub-.500 in the Metro her freshman year to a 17-3 start this season. She made the 6A all-state honorable mention list last fall and leads the Wildcats this season in kills with 135 to go with 106 digs and 14 aces. “She is one of our go-to hitters, a solid defensive player in the back row, and a very smart player on the court,” coach Janelle Brandt said.
OH Ella Baley, Mazama, Sr.
Baley was an honorable mention all-Skyline selection last season and leads the team this fall with 109 kills (2.5 per set), 188 digs and 45 aces. She also was an all-conference selection in basketball and softball. “Ella is a competitor through and through,” said Vikings assistant coach Sam Fenner. “She is one of the best defensive players I’ve coached. She has learned what it means to be a leader and has grown exponentially this year.”
OH Lucretia Benolken, Cascade, Sr.
Benolken capped a 2021 season in which she earned first-team all-Oregon West and first-team 4A all-state honors with team highs of 18 kills and 10 digs in a five-set victory over Sisters in the state final, leading the Cougars to their first state title. “She is one of the best leaders for the team and is powerful in each element she brings to the team,” coach Cristina Williams said. “Her serve is tough, her hit is explosive, and her ball control is calm and collected.”
OH Dallie Jo Bingham, Powder Valley, Sr.
Bingham played on the right side last season, when she was a first-team all-Old Oregon selection with 167 kills, 276 digs, 28 aces (93% serving) and 18 blocks. When she’s not on the court, she’s busy helping on the family ranch, working cows and building fences. “Dallie is an amazing young lady who is kind and compassionate to her teammates,” Badgers coach Marji Lind said.
OH Kendra Bittle, Crater, Sr.
Bittle, the 6-2 younger sister of University of Oregon basketball standout Nate Bittle, was a first-team all-Midwestern selection last year, when she led the Comets with 308 kills and hit .357. She has several West Coast college offers, including Cal Poly Pomona.
OH Mylee Blake, West Albany, So.
Blake transferred to West Albany this year from Siuslaw, where she was a second-team all-Sky Em selection as a freshman. Bulldogs coach Megan Wallace praised her ball control and said “she is well on her way to being an absolute force at the net. She will be a big part of our offense this year.”
OH Emma Brewer, Salem Academy, Fr.
The Crusaders needed someone to step into the hitting shoes of graduated all-state first-teamer Aubrey Smith, and Brewer has delivered. She is second on the team to all-state middle blocker Aly Herber in kills (210) and aces (34) and had a team-high 191 digs through Sept. 26.
OH Halsey Brummit, Clackamas, Sr.
Brummit was a second-team all-Mt. Hood selection as a junior, when she hit .282 with 394 kills and a 2.2 serve receive rating. She has committed to play next year at Dominion University of California, a Division II school in San Rafael. Cavaliers coach Nathan Blankenship called her “a leader in every aspect on and off the court and a staunch supporter of her teammates. Halsey leads by example and represents her team, school and community with honor and poise.”
OH Thanvi Chilukuri, Sunset, Jr.
Another member of the Apollos’ strong junior class, she made the all-Metro third team as a sophomore middle blocker. She moved outside this season, and through Sept. 30, she led the team with 111 kills to go with 11 blocks and 24 digs.
OH Sara Davies, Sunset, Jr.
The third-team all-Metro selection has had a strong all-around season for the Apollos, with 109 kills, 66 digs, 23 aces and 11 blocks through Sept. 30.
OH Frances Eisenhardt, Valley Catholic, Sr.
Eisenhardt was named a Cowapa co-player of the year and a first-team 4A all-state selection in leading the Valiants to a fourth-place finish at the 2021 state tournament. She not only is a fearsome hitter, but she also led the team in aces (50) and was second in serve receive passing (2.0 rating) through the first month of the season. “Fran is our senior captain and has become the player we rely on, on and off the court, for consistency and energy,” coach Becky Kemper said.
OH Sadie Eisert, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Jr.
Eisert made the all-Lewis & Clark second team last season for the Hawks and had 107 kills during their 13-1 start this season. She farms blueberries during the offseason.
OH Giana Elgaricao, Marist Catholic, So.
Elgaricao burst onto the scene as a freshman, making the all-Sky Em first team and leading the Spartans to the 4A state playoffs. Through the first three weeks of league play this season, she had a team-high 196 kills, 15 blocks and 25 aces (.920 serving percentage). “Giana is calm under pressure,” coach Shari Pimental said. “She is very coachable and willing to learn.”
RS Addie Emerson, Valley Catholic, So.
The all-Cowapa first-teamer as a freshman has become the team leader in kills (130 with a .295 hitting percentage) through the first month of her sophomore season. She was third on the team with 29 aces. “Addie has the vertical and the fast left arm that has made her one of the best hitters at any level,” Valiants coach Becky Kemper said. “She has worked hard on her consistency and when to make shots and when to pummel the ball.”
OH Maddie Fields, Santiam Christian, Sr.
Fields last season was a second-team 3A all-state selection who helped lead the Eagles to the No. 1 seed in the state tournament. Coach Kelli Fitzpatrick praised how Fields “has gained a lot more control with her hitting and defense since last year. She is very disciplined and sometimes overly focused on the court, so it’s fun to try to get her to smile past all her seriousness.”
OH Gwen Fife, Sheldon, Sr.
Fife, a University of Utah beach volleyball commit, made the all-Southwest first team last fall and has a team-high 133 kills this season with 112 digs. “Gwen is a great kid who loves to compete,” Irish coach Martine Wodke said.
OH Emily Fulton, Sherwood, Jr.
Fulton was a second-team all-Pacific selection for the Bowmen last season, when she finished with 226 kills, 219 digs and 28 aces. When she’s not playing volleyball, she maintains an Instagram account for her dog, Poopy.
OH Sofia Green, Mountainside, Sr.
Green has broken through this year to become one of the Mavericks’ top offensive weapons, averaging 6.9 kills and 2.9 aces per match while hitting .256 over the first month of the season. She is also a budding criminal psychologist who has studiously watched every episode of CSI. “Sofia is an athletic player with a heavy hand hitting and a powerful serve,” coach Lena Chan said. “Sofia loves playing volleyball and aspires to be better each day she enters the gym.”
OH Sophie Gregoire, Newberg, Sr.
Gregoire has been one of the state’s top hitters for the past three seasons, winning Pacific Conference player of the year and receiving second-team 6A all-state honors a year ago, when she had 328 kills, 35 aces, 42 blocks and a 2.2 passer rating. The 6-3 Gregoire, who can touch a basketball rim with her approach, has committed to the University of Oregon. “Her volleyball IQ is off the charts,” Tigers coach Thomas Salness said. “She is a smart player who is learning to out-think her opponents. When she’s on the court, she is a threat anywhere, and she is our team’s leader — her team follows her each night into battle.”
RS Bridget Gould, Marshfield, Jr.
It was quite a coup when Gould, the Midwestern League player of the year and a first-team 5A all-state selection for North Bend in leading the Bulldogs to their first league title last season, transferred down the road to join the Pirates this season. Gould has committed to the University of Oregon.
OH Sydney Hamlin, Lakeridge, Jr.
Hamlin was a first-team all-Three Rivers selection last season for the Pacers. Former coach Wendy Stammer, now at TRL rival St. Mary’s Academy, recalled how “Sydney is one of the kindest, hardest-working players, a natural leader on the court and an extremely talented outside hitter.”
OH Halsie Hempfling, St. Paul, Sr.
Hempfling returns to the Buckaroos lineup after making the all-Casco second team last fall — and coach Les Hiller is thankful because Hempfling happily organizes all the team activities. On the court, she had 147 kills and a 92% service rate.
OH Addie Hoover, West Linn, Sr.
Hoover made the 6A all-state honorable mention list as a right-side hitter last season, but she has moved this year to team with Belmont commit Amyah Semau as a powerful 1-2 combo outside. “Addie is one of the smartest players on the court when it comes to where to place the ball on the other side,” Lions coach Emilie Wilmes said.
OH Hallee Hughes, Willamina, Sr.
Hughes is a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs, having won 3A state titles in the discus and javelin last spring and earning Coastal Range player of the year and second-team all-state honors while averaging 18 kills and eight digs per match. She’s also an avid gamer, with her favorites including Minecraft, Zombies and Ark. “Her ability to prepare for competition in the weight room and during practice shows her versatility of athletic skills beyond any athlete at the 3A level,” said her coach and mother, Heather Hughes. “She competes fiercely and raises her teammates around her with support and constant positive feedback.”
OH Bella Jacobson, Crescent Valley, So.
Jacobson was one of three freshmen who played critical roles in leading the Raiders to a fourth-place finish at the 5A state tournament, making the all-state second team. She has a team-high 162 kills (3.6 per set) and 38 aces this season with 137 digs. “She has really improved her serving this year by getting more aces and serving more from the line,” coach Troy Shorey said. “She is a perfectionist, so she pushes herself to be at her best at all times.”
OH Mackenzie King, Burns, Jr.
King was a first-team all-state selection for the 3A state champion Hilanders last fall, when she had 377 kills and 43 blocks. She has battled injury and illness this season, playing in only 35 of 61 sets, but when she’s been on the court, she’s been an offensive force — 148 kills (4.2 per set), 18 blocks, 29 aces and 81 digs. “She definitely brings the team more confidence when she’s on the court,” coach Paula Toney said.
OH Madison Kocina, Crater, Sr.
As a junior, Kocina led the Comets in hitting percentage (.363) with 196 kills in earning all-Midwestern first-team honors. She has an offer from Southern Oregon.
OH Kaytlyn Lebeck, Westview, Sr.
Wildcats coach Janelle Brandt called Lebeck, who made the all-Metro second team last fall, “a very consistent player on the court” who has 67 kills this season.
OH Elise Linderman, Santiam Christian, Sr.
Linderman was captain for a young Eagles squad last season, and now she serves as captain of an experienced group that started this season 13-3. “She has done an incredible job of keeping the team on track on and off the court,” coach Kelli Fitzpatrick said. “She’s very good at getting to impossible balls and making it look easy. She loves this sport and makes everyone around her better because of it.”
OH Lily Lindsey, Weston-McEwen, Sr.
Lindsey is a two-way threat for the TigerScots, making the all-Blue Mountain honorable mention list as a junior with 323 digs, 125 kills and 34 aces. “Lily is athletic and very dynamic both as a defender and hitter,” coach Shawn White said.
OH Isabella Lowe, Mazama, Jr.
Lowe has benefitted from many of the sets delivered by twin sister Alexia this season, ranking second on the team in kills (80) to go with 91 digs and 19 aces. “Isabella has worked hard to incorporate an array of attacks from the outside position,” said assistant coach Sam Fenner. “She is an incredible defender, much like her sister, and no ball is ever out of reach.”
OH Finley Marine, Portland Christian, Fr.
Marine has the perfect last name for the work ethic she has displayed during the first month of her varsity career. For example, one day, as the Royals toiled in a hot gym with no air conditioning, first-year coach Denetia Chimuku planned a light practice schedule. Instead, Marine volunteered the entire team to run laps on the track. “The girls weren’t so happy about it, but Finley was the most excited,” Chimuku recalled. “Finley is a fierce and driven athlete who has so much potential. I cannot wait to see what these four years have in store for her.”
OH Elsa McDermott, Catlin Gabel, Sr.
McDermott is a two-time all-Lewis & Clark first-team selection who made the 3A all-state first team last fall, when the Penn commit finished with 267 kills, 245 digs, 71 aces and a 2.09 serve-receive rating in leading the Eagles to a third-place finish at the state tournament. In the spring, her club team finished fifth at nationals, while McDermott also played her way to the 4A/3A/2A/1A state tennis tournament with doubles partner Mia Rumsfeld, winning the consolation title despite limited practice and training. “Elsa’s high game IQ and all-around abilities make her an invaluable part of Eagles volleyball and easily one of the top players in 3A,” coach Jeannette Lee said. “I always look forward to seeing what she pulls out of her bag of tricks.”
RS Ellie McDonald, Horizon Christian (Tualatin), Jr.
Hawks coach Jay Lazaro called McDonald, a first-team all-Lewis & Clark selection last season, “our most effective server and statistical hitter” and predicted she’ll be a lawyer one day.
OH Tatum Montiel, Marshfield, So.
Montiel made the all-Sky Em first team as a freshman, finishing with 387 kills, 200 digs and 66 aces in 19 matches. An opposing coach told Pirates coach (and Montiel’s mother) Tammie Montiel, “I would not want to be on the other side of the net from Tatum. She is so powerful, but she also sees the court and is a smart player.”
OH Gracelyn Myhre, Sisters, Jr.
Myhre took on a bigger role last season when all-state hitter Greta Davis went down with an injury, finishing the year with a 10-kill, 10-dig performance in a five-set loss to Cascade in the 4A state final. Outlaws coach Rory Rush described her as “a well-rounded player who adds so much to our team. She has a powerful attack but can see the floor well and use the many tools in her toolbox to put the ball down. She’s also one of the best defenders and servers in the league.”
OH Ceanna O’Loughlin, Jesuit, Sr.
O’Loughlin was a first-team all-Metro selection for last year’s 6A runner-up and leads the Crusaders in kills (227) and hitting percentage (.327) this season, adding 126 digs and 17 aces while serving .917. She has committed to Colorado State University at Pueblo. “She has been phenomenal attacking for us this season,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee said.
OH Isabel Patterson, Jesuit, Sr.
Patterson made the all-state second team last fall and is an all-around weapon for the Crusaders during their 19-0 start this season. The University of Oregon commit for both indoor and beach has 151 kills, 162 digs and 30 aces with a team-high .969 serving percentage. “Isabel has been tremendous for us,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee said. “She and Ceanna give us a solid, consistent, dynamic duo for other teams to have to focus on.”
OH Macey Pine, McDaniel, Sr.
Pine made the all-PIL second team last season and led the Mountain Lions to a 10-5 start this season as they chase their first playoff berth since 2009. “Macey is one of the most nonchalant players,” coach Kyla Henry said. “She always has a one-liner in her back pocket that truly catches me by surprise. But she is an amazing athlete — you can put her in any position on the court, and she will be successful.”
OH Rowan Reilly, Silverton, Sr.
Reilly moved outside from the middle (where she made the all-Mid-Willamette honorable mention list last fall), and she had a team-high 86 kills and 127 digs in the season’s first month. “Rowan is constantly wanting to improve and never takes a rep or practice for granted,” Foxes coach Reilly-Jane Rosecrans said. “She is a selfless leader who is willing to put her team over herself.”
OH Amyah Semau, West Linn, Sr.
Semau played opposite 6A player of the year Emily Warmenhoven on last year’s state championship team, earning all-Three Rivers honorable mention. She will follow Warmenhoven to Belmont University. “Amyah has been an amazing leader on the team this year,” Lions coach Emilie Wilmes said. “She has stepped up into a six-rotation player and has a big impact on offense and defense.”
OH Madison Sherby, Hillsboro, Fr.
Sherby already has carved out a leading role for the Spartans. She averages 10 kills per match (with a season high of 25), is one of the team’s top serve receivers, and despite never setting previously stepped into the breach after the team's starting setter sustained an injury. “Madison stepped up and played a position she never had and led our team,” coach Suzan Hopman said.
OH Paige Theis, Oregon City, So.
Theis was a second-team all-Three Rivers selection as a freshman, helping the Pioneers reach the 6A quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. Through Sept. 29, she was hitting .415 with 234 kills for the TRL leaders. “Paige is a dynamic player both on and off the court,” coach Erica Frafjord said. “Her ability to end points quickly has really helped our team be successful this season.”
OH Gracie Vohs, Sisters, Jr.
After all-state hitter Greta Davis went down with an injury last season, the Outlaws turned to Vohs to become their main threat in the attack — and she delivered, leading the team to the 4A state final (where she was named player of the match in a five-set loss to Cascade) and making the all-state first team. “Gracie is a dynamic and powerful hitter on the outside,” coach Rory Rush said. “She is a game-changer and a go-to when we need a ball put away.”
OH/MB Hannah Wilborn, Mountainside, Sr.
Wilborn received all-Metro third-team honors last fall, when she showed marked improvement over the second half of the season. During the first month of this season, she averaged 6.3 kills per match while hitting .252. “Hannah adds great energy to our team,” Mavericks coach Lena Chan said. “She is always looking for ways to pump her team up.”
