Oakesdale Volleyball ready for run at third-straight title

OAKESDALE - After an impressive season in 2021-22, the Oakesdale Nighthawks volleyball team won the state title, finishing the regular season 24-0, and 9-0 in district play. The team lost eight sets all season during 2021-22, winning 72 sets along the way.

There was not much opportunity for the Nighthawks to improve on the stellar season two years ago, however, they managed to do just that last season.

In the 2022-23 season, they went 24-0 and 9-0 in districts, winning a second-straight state title. This time, they managed to win 66 sets, and lost zero sets.

It should also be noted that there were no playoffs in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nighthawks went 11-0, including 10-0 in district play.

The 2023-24 team have three seniors on the team leading the charge for a three-peat. Senior outside Payton Davis has been with the Nighthawks since the 2020 season. She may earn a third state championship trophy if she is to lead the Nighthawks to another perfect run this season. She has also committed to play volleyball at Central Washington University next season.

"She is excited to be playing at her dream school where her parents had also gone to school," said head coach McKinzie Turner.

The other senior outside, Brieyn Henley, has been with the team since last season. Henley is ready to lead the offensive attack from the outside position with Davis this season.

The final senior on the roster, Samantha Holling, is a setter/opposite hitter. She has been with the Nighthawks since the 2020 season.

It also should be noted that Henley and Davis both played on the high school team when they were in 8th grade.

The team has two juniors currently on the roster. Lucy Hockett, junior opposite/libero and Jenna Rawls, junior middle blocker/opposite hitter.

Bradyn Henley is the lone sophomore on the team. She is a middle blocker/opposite hitter.

Grace Perry and Karen Crider round out the freshman class, followed by two eighth graders playing on the team. The eighth graders are: Megan Crider and Addy Lisenbee.

The team is set to make another historic run, with their season starting Tuesday, September 5, an away game against Liberty.