Westview High School Volleyball Team Aims for Redemption in 2023 Season

Westview High School Volleyball Team Aims for Redemption at State Tournament

Beaverton, OR – The Westview High School volleyball team is gearing up for another shot at the state tournament, a prestigious event that showcases Oregon’s top eight teams. After securing a fifth-place finish in 2022, the Wildcats are determined to turn past disappointments into triumphs this season.

Head coach Janelle Bryant, now in her ninth year at the helm, is fueled by a sense of “unfinished business.” The Wildcats have faced early exits in the past two seasons, leaving them hungry for success. “We’ve talked about making it back to the state tournament, and our goal is definitely going to be bringing home a trophy,” Bryant said. “It’s just not good enough for us to make it to state.”

With the season opener against Grant set for September 2, the Wildcats are still in the early stages of preparation. Bryant prefers to focus on team development in the spring, allowing players to participate in club volleyball during the summer. “We’ve just finished week one, and I feel like it always goes so fast,” she noted, emphasizing the quick turnaround from team formation to competitive play.

The Wildcats face a challenge this year, having lost six seniors, including three captains and standout middle blocker Steel Sinai, who is now playing for Temple University. However, the team retains key players like senior setter Catherine Chang, who is recovering from a knee injury, and all-leaguers Ashlyn Pedersen, Abbey Meier, and Mady Lebeck.

Despite the losses, Bryant is optimistic about the team’s potential. “We did graduate six, but we really only lost two starters from our starting lineup,” she explained. “I have six varsity returners, so half the team is seasoned.”

New talent is also stepping up, including freshman middle blocker Ellen Madsen, who brings valuable club experience, and sophomore Logan Kekaualua, who will fill in as setter during Chang’s recovery. “She’s quick, she plays defense, and she’s loud,” Bryant said of Kekaualua, highlighting her impressive performance in practice.

The Wildcats’ roster also features junior transfer Mireya Rodriguez and seniors Aurelia Acton and Sophie Penrod, adding depth and skill to the team. Bryant appreciates the positive dynamic among the players, noting that their energy and camaraderie remind her of the successful 2022 squad.

“They’re high energy and they want to work hard,” she said. “They’re very coachable and they all get along really well.”

As the Wildcats prepare for a competitive season, they are eyeing a top-two finish in the Metro League, where they will face formidable opponents like two-time defending champions Jesuit, as well as Mountainside and Sunset. “There’s a lot of work to be done between now and the regular season, and beyond,” Bryant acknowledged.

With a blend of experienced leaders and promising newcomers, the Westview Wildcats are ready to chase their dreams and make a mark at the state tournament. As Bryant aptly put it, “You have to be good, you have to be consistent, and you have to avoid injury. If you can do that, good things happen.”