By Chris Parker
Spokane volleyball will rely on a pair of seniors in Paige Crabtree and Marah Davis and sophomores Ellison Mehrhoff and Sydney Bryan for leadership this year.
Crabtree, who earned second-team all-conference honors last year, will play libero and right side. She led the Owls in serve receptions (330), digs (347) and aces (41). Davis, a middle hitter, is the team’s top returning hitter after she finished third on the team with 113 kills last year. Mehrhoff is an outside hitter who will look to expand on her 86 kills as a freshman. Bryan will step up as a setter after Spokane graduated its top two setters last season.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL SEASON SCHEDULE
Coach Laken Walden on Crabtree: “Paige was a great leader last year and controlled the back row for us. I am looking for her to step out of her comfort zone and really be a vocal leader this season. She isn’t just a leader on the court but off the court as well. I truly believe she is one of the best libero’s in the area. After the MSU camp this summer, we found out that she can hit the ball, and hit the ball well so she could be moved around this season. She is willing to play any position to help her team be successful and she’s one of those kids every coach dreams of coaching.”
Walden on Davis: “Marah has always been a strong hitter, but I feel was in the shadows of last year’s seniors. She has a quick arm swing and her blocking game has really improved over the summer. She is a great leader and is willing to step up and carry the team. I expect her to really make a statement from the middle this season.”
Walden on Mehrhoff: “Elli started varsity as a freshman last season, and I expect her to really shine this season from the outside position. She may be young but she acts like an upperclassman in practice and games. She stays calm in stressful situations and I can count on her to put a ball away. I really saw improvements after this past club season with her hitting. She is the most athletic kid I have ever coached and has an amazing work ethic to go along with it.”
Walden on Bryan: “Syd transitioned over to varsity late in the year last season but will be calling the shots for us this season. She is very light on her feet and can get to almost any ball on the court. Not only can she set the ball but she can hit the ball too. Sydney will be getting attention this season and is a key to our success as a team.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
APPLE – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ANDROID – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Seniors Maggie Czachowski (outside/middle hitter) and Aryanna Baxter (defensive specialist) along with junior Kinzey Cooper (defensive specialist) also return.
Walden on Czachowski: “Maggie will be one of our main hitters. We have worked really hard on her approach and timing and this summer she has improved so much. She is very athletic and I am looking forward to seeing her use her natural abilities in the front row this season.”
Walden on Baxter: “Everyone needs a player like Aryanna on their team. She is vocal and the best team leader. She is the player that can light the fire within the team and get them rolling together. She’s the glue that holds everyone together and accountable.”
Walden on Cooper: “Kinzey has really built her confidence in her defensive abilities in the past year. She knows her expectations coming into the season. We would like to see her take control of the back row and really step up in the defensive specialist position.”
Sophomore Allison Czachowski (middle hitter) and freshmen MaKenna Gideon (setter) and Emrie Butler (outside hitter) will be newcomers this year.
“The culture this volleyball team is creating after just one year under my leadership is really going to help this season. They are all ready to step up when asked and hold each other accountable,” Walden said. “They are friends on and off the court. They all push each other every day and compete like it’s their last. I think having that close bond will help them overcome tough games and keep building off each other. Our serving is probably our top asset going forward. We have several girls who led the conference in serving percentage and aces last season.”
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Walden will looked for an improved block from her team this year.
“We all know blocking is our biggest weakness but that being said we have been working all summer to improve in this area,” Walden said. “I really expect our blocking stats to increase dramatically from last season.”
The Lady Owls will look to improve their focus in the best-of-five set format. Last year was the first year of Missouri switching from a best-of-three to a best-of-five format.
“I think the girls learned that you can’t get comfortable after you win the first two sets. You have to keep pushing and really compete for every set. Last season we had an issue with getting comfortable and then would give away a set or two. I really try to keep the girls in shape so these five set games are not so exhausting and they are ready for the challenge,” Walden said. “I really try to incorporate drills into practice that build endurance and are non-stop action. We still do sprints and conditioning because I feel that if you can out work the other team you can’t lose. A lot of my girls are track athletes or basketball players so they are used to the long fast paced routine. This works to my advantage and helps with our team stamina and endurance going into the fifth set.”
Spokane opens the season on Aug. 27 at School of the Ozarks.
“I expect this team to really make a run in late October. This group is more determined than any group I have ever coached,” Walden said. “Last season we were forced to miss a tournament and were quarantined the two weeks before districts. We never really recovered from it and I think it has added some motivation to this group of athletes. We have a few positions to figure out but that’s what’s great about this group, they can play multiple positions and they are willing to do what it takes to be a winning team.”
