Lc, Ferris Bring Power Reputations To Volleyball

GSL volleyball

Coach Stacey Ward of Ferris offers this mantra when asked about Greater Spokane League volleyball favorites: “LC, LC, LC, …”

Lewis and Clarks’s Buzzie Welch counters with high praise for Ferris, which he labels the league’s team to beat: “They’re at least six strong.”

So there it is. Ferris says LC will win the GSL volleyball title. LC says Ferris has to be the choice.

Either way, the South Side is where to turn for the best in Class AAA volleyball, because GSL powers have a habit of winning the State AAA Tournament.

LC, last year’s state runner-up, and Ferris, last year’s District 8 and Region IV champion, are expected to lead the way through another rugged GSL schedule. The teams first meet Sept. 25 at Ferris.

Strong Saxons highlight youth

Ward has the luxury of looking beyond this season because her marquee players, 5-foot-10 middle blocker Missy Blackshire and 5-10 setter Janelle Morrisette, are juniors.

The roster of 12 includes just three seniors: 5-7 outside hitter Darcy Ruemping, 5-11 MB Jennifer Meeker and 5-9 MB Brooke Blevins.

Blackshire, Morrisette, Ruemping, Meeker and juniors OHs Amy George (5-8) and Julie Weatherred (5-9), returners off last year’s seventh-place team at state, are expected to carry the biggest load.

“It’s a bit early to tell, but I think the six returners have an advantage,” Ward said. “But there are good players coming in who could challenge.”

New to the roster are juniors Holly Kirschke and Erin Beaumont, both 5-7 OHs; 5-7 junior Katie Lee, a setter; and 5-9 sophomores Casey Carlson (OH) and Elissa Ross (MB).

Kirschke is just happy to play. She sat out last year with a spiral fracture of the vertebrae.

Ward has strengthened her program with the addition of Linda Bushinski, who coached North Central to last year’s state title, and Laurie Henry, last year’s coach at Central Valley.

“Ferris and LC are probably a cut above the rest, but Mead has the potential to give (both) a run,” said Ward, starting her seventh year with the Saxons.

Tigers seek right combination

Although Welch returns 10 players from last year’s state second-place team, he’s still tinkering with his options.

“We have kids who can play a lot of different positions, so we have to get the lineup set,” said Welch, who has won two state titles during his six previous years at LC.

Of LC’s 12 varsity players, six are seniors. The power, however, comes from the junior class: 5-10 OH Erin Naipo and 5-11 MB/OH Carlin Oeljen.

“This is what I call a two-year team,” Welch said. “There are the immediate team’s needs plus the future team’s needs.”

From the ‘immediate team’ are veterans Elizabeth Hodgen, a 5-9 OH; Shannon Snow, 5-8 MB; Erika Robinson, 5-8 OH/S; Becki Huddle, 5-5 S/OH and Julie Brannon, 5-7 OH. Senior Jessica Filo, a 5-8 OH, is new to the roster.

Others with state experience are junior Gretchen Haight, a 6-0 OH, and sophomore Kelsey Williams, a 5-3 S/defensive specialist.

Grabbing the rare open roster spots were S/DS Erin Egan, a transfer from Colorado, and 5-6 junior OH Katie Querna.

“I think we have good players, but no stars,” Welch said.

“Once again, if you can survive the GSL, you’ll do fine at state.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: G-PREP FACES REBUILDING Topping last year’s Greater Spokane League volleyball season will be difficult for second-year Gonzaga Prep coach Steve Gillis. In his first year with the Bullpups, Gillis guided his team to an unprecedented 16-0 league championship season. “We’ve lost Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman,” quipped Gillis, explaining that seven quality senior players graduated. The only returning starters are middle hitter/blocker Jennifer Williams and setter Story Tombari. A newcomer, junior outside hitter Meghann Green, has shown improvement. “After that it tails off substantially,” Gillis said. Varsity returnees include senior outside hitter Brooke Egger and junior setter Erin Higgins. Other newcomers are middles Mary Freuen, a junior, and Megan Fitzsimmons, a sophomore, junior setter Rose Sacco, senior outside hitters Kelly McGinty and Lisa Boren, and juniors Maggie Bruya and Christy Bloom. All but McGinty, Tombari, Higgins and Boren are South Side residents. Mike Vlahovich

The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Chris Derrick Staff writer Staff writer Mike Vlahovich contributed to this report