Payton Davis receives numerous post-season accolades

OAKESDALE — The Oakesdale Nighthawks volleyball team will have a new outside hitter next season, replacing Payton Davis, who has been a starter on the team since her eighth grade season.

Davis will be attending Central Washington University next season to play for their volleyball team, but left Oakesdale with one final gift.

Davis was awarded with an athlete of the week honor during week 10 of the season, when the Nighthawks and Davis won their third-straight state championship.

Davis earned the award for her 43 kill performance in the state semifinal match up, a career high for one game. She also hit .571 to lead Oakesdale to the state championship game. She had 25 kills in the title game.

Davis was honored as the Wheat Division Player of The Year in 2023, and was a Best and Brightest Award recipient. She also was an All-American honorable mention, and received All-Region recognition.

“She earned these awards due to her consistent play. She led our team in several stat categories. I’m proud of her for putting in the work on the court to reach her goal of playing collegiate volleyball. But, I’m even more proud of the person she is becoming. She served her team this year as a captain, and she did an amazing job in this role. She was trusted by her coaches and teammates to lead us both on and off the court,” said Oakesdale volleyball head coach McKinzie Turner.

Turner also said that she expects Davis to do well at the next level of volleyball, and her skills will serve her well in volleyball and life.