CHS volleyball last season.
CGN photo/fileA revamped eight-team 1A Trico League awaits the Columbia High volleyball team, which opens its season next week with a pair of tune-up matches before jumping into conference play. Columbia finished league at 1-9 in the Trico in 2023, winning its finale at Seton Catholic. The Trico now has eight teams playing volleyball, with the addition of Kalama and Fort Vancouver.
“Every night’s going to be competitive,” Coach Heidi Shultz said. “I’m looking forward to getting going — that’s the true test.”
The two non-league home matches will be followed by a home conference opener Sept. 17 against Seton.
“I think this team is a strong, more cohesive team than last year,” Shultz added about her Bruins. “As far as our hitting, I think we have more hitters who can score more.
“Some of the hitters, we moved them around, so I think they’ll just continue to get more comfortable as we work on our offense.”
A larger than normal turnout enabled Columbia to field a third team (C squad) this season — in addition to varsity and junior varsity. Shultz said the goal of the 10-player Columbia varsity team is to qualify for the district playoffs.
To do so, Columbia will have to finish among the top five (of eight) Trico teams. The fifth-place team plays the fourth-place team from the Evergreen League in a play-in match for the final spot into the eight-team district playoffs.
Returning players for Columbia include senior libero Josie Dickey (captain), and senior defensive specialist Hailey Farrell. Kiana Chambers, one of five juniors, will play middle or outside hitter; Bella Hamilton, a junior in her third year on varsity is a setter who also will play right-side hitter, Shultz said.
“She will be one of our main players all the way around,” the coach said.
Also back for the Bruins is Joella Posini, a sophomore, who Shulz said is another middle with good hitting, jumping and blocking skills. Julia Mulinix is a sophomore setter; middle Fiona Grabb, a sophomore, and Halle Kock, a junior, and defensive specialist Olivia Allen, another junior, are newcomers to the varsity squad.
Much of the Bruins’ offensive attack, at least early on as other players are getting acclimated to the varsity, will center around outside hitter Sara Miller, a junior team captain. Miller was honorable mention all-league last season as a sophomore.
La Center won the 2023 league title with a 10-0 record, placed third at state a year ago and did not graduate any of its starters. They include last year’s league player of the year, middle blocker Billie Ross. Columbia’s first road match is Sept. 19 at the Wildcat’s gym.
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