All-League 1B volleyball teams announced

Teren Kowatsch, The Gazette | Nov 23, 20220

Courtesy of Jeff Gates count

Back – 1st Team: Gianna Anderson, Player of the Year, Oakesdale; Payton Davis, Oakesdale; Kendall Dixon, Pomeroy; Jessie Reed, Oakesdale; Kaitlynn Hough, SJEL; Addisen Becker, SJEL; Jenn Johnson, Coach of the Year, SJEL. Front – 2nd Team: Samantha Holling, Oakesdale; Marilla Hockett, Oakesdale; Brieyn Henley, Oakesdale; Taylor Gilbert, Pomeroy; Chase Caruso, Pomeroy; Haliee Brewer, Pomeroy; Cami Larson, SJEL.

The 1B District 9 volleyball season ended with a state championship for the Oakesdale Nighthawks and several teams in the league placing or making appearances at the state tournament at the Yakima SunDome in Yakima.

The Southeast 1B volleyball league was separated into two divisions: Wheat and Grape.

The Whitman County teams had occupancy of the Wheat division, and received multiple All-League honors.

Oakesdale had seven total All-League honors.

Senior outside hitter Gianna Anderson received First-Team honors and was named the Player of the Year. Junior setter Payton Davis and senior outside hitter Jessie Reed were also named to the First-Team for their performances that ultimately led the Nighthawks to a state championship.

Junior outside hitter Samantha Holling, senior middle hitter Marilla Hockett and junior opposite hitter Brieyn Henley received Second-Team honors.

St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse were the other Whitman County team to receive All-League honors, four total.

Junior middle hitter Kaitlyn Hough and senior setter Addisen Becker were the Eagles players to receive First-Team honors.

Junior libero Cami Larsen received Second-Team honors and St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse coach Jenn Johnson was named the Coach of the Year for the Wheat Division.

St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse finished the season 15-10-1 overall and 7-4 in league competition.

The Eagles weren't able to make the state tournament, losing in the final game of the consolation bracket in five sets to the Pomeroy Pirates, who received four All-League selections of their own, one First-Team and three Second-Team.