Payton Davis named WIAA athlete of the week

OAKESDALE - Oakesdale volleyball is currently in one of the best streaks in the state – competing in two tournaments, winning one and coming in second in the other, and not giving up a set to opponents outside of league play.

A part of this success has been the play of junior Payton Davis – who has been a consistent stat leader for the Nighthawks during a season where they haven't given up one set to opponents outside of tournament play and came in second in the Linda Sheridan tournament and first in the Yakima Sundome Festival.

This play is being recognized – as Davis was named one of 12 Athletes of the Week by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Davis leads the team in kills and posted a double-double against Colton on Sept. 22 with 16 kills and 13 assists, while also maintaining her academics – posting straight A's and taking college courses simultaneously.

"I just finished with English class and I had gotten a notification on my phone saying the WIAA tagged me in a post," Davis said. "So I was thinking 'oh what is this? Is this a spam account or something?' So I opened my phone, and I saw that I was listed as one of the players of the week. And I was going crazy. I was so excited I got that recognition, it was a huge honor."

Davis would go on to describe her teammates' reaction to finding out the news.

"It was really good actually," Davis said. "Some of my teammates are in my class – my junior class – and they were super excited for me, because they were right with me when I found out. They were going crazy and stuff, too. And overall it was really good."

Davis went on to describe the process of balancing her academic and athletic endeavors.

"I do have a good balance," Davis said. "Obviously, education comes first. I love volleyball, it's my life. But education is definitely my number one (priority). So overall I'm just trying to get all of my schoolwork done, maintain straight A's and then after that I go to volleyball and just practice and do my best. And then with college, I definitely am looking at some colleges and am in contact. So I'm just trying to figure all that out. I'm only a junior so I don't exactly know where I want to go yet and I'm still trying to figure out my major."

Davis has also been called to have more of a responsibility for the team this season, playing multiple positions for the team.

"I'm going to make mistakes because I'm not going to be perfect," Davis said. "But I put in as much time as I can and many reps (in). When I found out that I was playing middle, I was super excited because I want to challenge myself, not just play outside, which is what I normally play. And I want to put the team before myself. So being put in that middle position, I knew was going to be challenging, but I accepted that challenge and I was ready for it."

Davis and the rest of her team have been performing at a high level this season, competing and defeating 3A schools while being one of the best overall teams in the state, and it looks like that streak isn't stopping anytime soon.

Davis and the Nighthawks will look to add to their impressive season at noon, Oct. 15 against the 11-5 Odessa Tigers.