Ridgefield junior Delaney Nicoll, the All-Region volleyball player of the year, is pictured at The Columbian on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2018. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
When the Ridgefield volleyball team needed to change its strategy for the state tournament, it looked to Delaney Nicoll.
And when the going got tough at the state tournament, the Spudders again looked to Nicoll.
What did they see? Not a hint of frustration, anxiety or disappointment.
“In my head I might be freaking out, but I can’t let it show,” the junior said. “It takes just one person to crack the whole team and have everyone freak out. It’s really important to stay calm in the tough moments.”
With 103 kills in four tournament matches, Nicoll led Ridgefield to the Class 2A state championship earlier this month in Lacey.
But Nicoll also provided a steady hand when Ridgefield’s road got rocky. The Spudders were just four lost points from being swept in the semifinals before beating Columbia River in five sets. Ridgefield also survived a five-set first-round match against one-loss Pullman.
“When she is rising to the occasion, other kids see that,” Ridgefield coach Sabrina Dobbs said. “If she is playing tough, others rise to the occasion as well.”
For her accomplishments, Nicoll is The Columbian’s All-Region volleyball player of the year.
In winning 2A Greater St. Helens League MVP honors, Nicoll played a variety of roles. Along with being Ridgefield’s top hitter with 252 kills in league play, she was among the team’s leaders in digs and assists.
But after the Spudders suffered their first loss of the season in the district semifinals, Dobbs believed the team needed to tweak its strategy in order to win a state title.
Namely, Ridgefield was going to go all-in with its best player.
“We had her hit a bit more,” Dobbs said. “It changed her outlook of what she could be.”
A first-team all-tournament selection her sophomore year, when Ridgefield placed third, Nicoll had risen to big occasions before.
But she took it to another level at this year’s state tournament. After notching 29 kills in the first round against Pullman, Nicoll had at least 20 kills in each subsequent match.
That Ridgefield had to struggle to win the title made victory that much sweeter.
“I think it was 10 times better to win it having to fight the whole way and having to persevere,” Nicoll said. “There were a couple moments when we were down and could have gave up and lost.”
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Ridgefield will lose just one senior from this year’s team. Nicoll is already looking forward to defending the state title.
“I’m really excited because now, since we’ve won state, we have a new motivation for next season,” Nicoll said. “We know what we can accomplish and that’s going to push us further.”
The Rest of the All-Region volleyball team
Rest of first team
Laynie Erickson, La Center
1A Trico League MVP and Central Washington commit finished her career with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
Katie Vroman, Prairie
Senior outside hitter was 3A GSHL player of the year. Averaged 4.8 kills and 2.3 digs per set in league play.
Gracie Brenner, Skyview
Senior outside hitter was first-team all-league in the 4A GSHL for a second straight season.
Kameryn Reynolds, Ridgefield
Six-foot-2 senior middle blocker was a solid presence on both defense and offense in the Spudders run to state title.
Elyse Booker, Woodland
Woodland’s all-time leader with 1,415 digs, including record 481 this year. The senior libero led Beavers to sixth-place at state.
Second team
Emma Villaluz, Camas
Junior setter/outside hitter was 4A GSHL most-valuable player. Had 203 kills, 417 assists and 256 digs to lead Camas to first state berth since 2014.
Taylor Foster, Woodland
Senior middle blocker is the school’s all-team leader in kills (969) and blocks (256). Set single-season records with 387 kills and 77 blocks.
Tyra Schaub, Skyview
Freshman made and instant impact, helping Skyview win a share of the 4A Greater St. Helens League title.
Keiana Bonawitz, Mountain View
Senior setter helped Mountain View win a share of its first league title since 1988 and first state berth since 1993.
Lainne Wilkins, Prairie
Senior setter averaged 8.7 assists and 2.2 digs per set in helping Prairie to its second straight top-six finish at state.
Maddie Sheron, Columbia River
Sophomore outside hitter helped Chieftains to fourth-place finish at state tournament and district title. Had 170 kills.
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