New Colfax net coach faces rebuild challenge

New Colfax volleyball coach Molly McNeil greeted 21 recruits Monday for the first turnout of the season. A WSU grad, McNeil has 11 years of coaching and teaching experience. She came to Colfax after stops in Okanogan and Tillamook, Ore.

McNeil faces the challenge of launching a new Colfax net chapter after Sue Doering and the Bulldogs captured the state 2B title last year in a five-game battle with Mossyrock at the SunDome in Yakima.

Shawna Kneale, a long-time assistant coach under Doering, is assisting the new coach at the start of the season. Kneale officially retired from the coaching ranks, but she is helping McNeil while the district is in the process of hiring another coach for the program.

A power lineup of four Colfax seniors from the title team departed with diplomas last June. They included Abbie Miller, Piper Kai, Greta Geier and Carmen Gfeller.

Gfeller finished her career with NE MVP honors, and the other three seniors were named to the all-league team.

All four played a big role in the title run last year and a strong season the previous year.

Back as seniors from last year’s team are Kylie Kackman and Madi Cox who are co-captains for the team this year.

Kaitlyn Cornish, a sophomore on the team last year, is back as a junior.

Kierstyn York, who picked up steam as a freshman hitter last year, returns as a sophomore outside hitter.

Anni Cox and Sophie Klaveano are also back as a sophomores after advancing to the varsity squad last year.

McKenna Lomax and Taylor Kinney, who moved here from Nevada, are other juniors on the club this year.

“We have a lot of sophomores and freshmen out this year, and some of them will have to play a varsity role in the season,” Coach McNeil said.

Among the sophomores on the squad are Riane Jones, Kennedy Schmidt, Perry Imler, Helena Hahn and Jerrica Heflin.

Kendall Gosney, who has moved to Colfax from Pullman, has turned out as a freshman.

Other first year players are Hannah Baerlocher, Asher Cai, Abree Aune, Isabella Koyama, Sam Larson, Taylor Perkins and Cora Shindler.

Colfax volleyball action will start with the jamboree here Sept. 1. Their first match will be against Lewis & Clark of Spokane.