Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The St. John/Endicott/ LaCrosse volleyball team opened the season with a comeback win at home over 2B Davenport Tuesday, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-17, 15-4.
The team lost six key seniors to graduation and returns a mix of two seniors, five juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
“We are young, but we are good,” said second-year Eagles head coach Jenn Johnson.
The team went to a four-day team camp in July at University of Idaho and lost in the championship round to 4A Chiawana, in the eight-team camp.
Expected contributors this fall include junior setter Roxy Dickerson and 6’3” middle blockers Colby Swannack, junior, and Ashlynn Archer, sophomore. Other players with significant varsity time last year include Ashley Parker, junior outside hitter; senior libero Rachel Larsen; outside hitter Haylie Leinweber, junior, and outside hitter Ashley Parker, another junior.
“My only surprise this year was how easy it is to coach them,” said Johnson. “The parents have raised such good girls. They’re nice, they’re respectful and they work hard.”
Johnson put the last part to the test in the week before the team’s opener with the “gray t-shirt practice,” consisting of two and a half hours of conditioning drills. Whoever sweats the most wins.
The Eagles finished last year fourth in league, behind Southeast 1B powers Oakesdale, Pomeroy and Colton, all of which graduated key seniors, and Oakesdale lost coach Brandy Brown to Colfax.
S.J.E.L. was set to play next at Pomeroy Wednesday followed by a trip to Oakesdale Sept. 17.
“We’ll know a lot more about the league this year after that,” said Johnson, who is assisted by Stacie Archer and Sam Melcher.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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