Young Huskie squad hopes to duplicate last years run
Bob Barrett photo - Kaitlyn Martinez practices receiving the serve on the third day of volleyball practice.
Othello volleyball coach Steve Parris shares something in common with Lady Huskie soccer coach Bernie Garza this year: both have rosters loaded with youth and very few seniors.
“We are young this year,” Parris said. “We only have five seniors.”
Eight Huskie seniors graduated from last years squad that won seven consecutive league games and shared the league title for some seven weeks.
“We did a fantastic job last year,” Parris said. “They really stepped it up.”
The squad returns setter Macy Hampton, outside hitters Eryn Wolfs and Mykiah Hollenbeck, and middle blocker Alyssa Hawley.
Hitters Heidi Martinez, Tanaya Andersen, Cayleen Garza and Dominique Martinez and libero Allison Garza are among the graduating seniors.
Last year the Huskies won games with grit and determination and a never say die attitude.
Othello was able to keep the ball in play and count on their opponents to make a mistake allowing the Huskies to score points and win matches on their opponent’s errors.
Unfortunately, late in the season, the Huskies played tougher opponents who did not make enough mistakes for Othello to earn the victory. The team ended up tied for third in league and lost a cross-over game to Cheney to fall one win away from earning a berth to the state 2A tournament.
‘’As far as hitters go, we are probably below where we were last year,” Parris said. “Alyssa Hawley and Alyssa Freeman will be the main force at the net along with Eryn Wolfs and Mykiah Hollenbeck.
Replacing Garza at libero is another matter.
“Libero is one of those spots we are searching for,” Parris said. “We are looking for someone with both the hustle and skills needed.”
Coach Parris believes serving will be a point of strength.
“Our serving will be stronger,” Parris said. “At this point, our serve receive is not where it needs to be. We are working on making certain our best passers are in the necessary spots.”
With the Selah Vikings and the Ellensburg Bulldogs dominating the CWAC, it takes a good squad to make a run at a league title.
“We are going to be small,” Parris said. “We have some good all around players. We don’t have any fantastic ones.”
This year’s squad is hoping it can make the same successful run through the league that last year’s squad made. That team started the year after losing eight seniors as well.