CAMAS — Emma Villaluz, the only four-year varsity volleyball player for the state-bound Camas Papermakers, loves the sport’s highs and lows.
Quite literally, in fact.
Villaluz isn’t the smallest player on Camas’ roster at 5 feet 5 — although, she says she’s closer to 5-4 — but comes up in big ways since moving to outside hitter.
She’s the two-time 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP who’s helped get the Papermakers back to the Class 4A state tournament, which begins Friday in Yakima.
Now, she wants to bring home a state trophy, which Camas hasn’t done since placing fifth in 2014.
“For us, it’s having that confidence knowing we can do well,” Villaluz said. “Having that confidence and knowing our ability is going to help us be successful.”
Camas joins Skyview as the 4A GSHL teams at the Yakima Valley SunDome and opens its state tournament at 11:45 a.m. Friday against Lake Stevens. Skyview faces Graham-Kapowsin at 1:30 p.m. In the 3A tournament, Kelso is making its first state appearance in 20 seasons under coach Michelle Mury, in her first season back coaching Kelso volleyball since 1996. The Hilanders face Eastside Catholic at 8 a.m. Friday.
Chemistry and communication has fueled Camas’ success, Villaluz said.
Since dropping its season opener to Columbia River, a seventh-place finisher at last week’s 2A state tournament, Camas reeled off 11 consecutive wins.
And in a size-driven sport, the senior stands out for more than her stature. What she doesn’t have in height she makes up in speed, agility and work ethic.
“I have to push myself,” she said, “so I try to be as fast and go for everything — and have that mindset to go for everything.
“That’s given me the habit of constantly going for all the balls, so have constant agility and speed on the court.”
Head coach Michelle Ford put Villaluz on the 2016 varsity roster when Villaluz, a freshman at the time, stood just under 5 feet tall. At that time, she played setter, but transitioned to outside hitter, where she’s now started for three seasons.
While Villaluz shines on the outside, that’s no longer her primary position. Neither is setting.
Since joining the Portland-based Athena Volleyball Club, Villaluz plays libero, the back-row defensive specialist seen in opposite-colored jerseys from her teammates.
But having a diverse background gives Villaluz a big boost for her high school team at Camas starting with position familiarity.
“I can understand what’s happening,” she said, “and how I can contribute to the game.”
The one position she’s never played is middle hitter. Camas’ tallest player — 6-3 freshman Alliyah Barnes — is one of three middles on the team, but don’t think Villaluz has ever wondered what-if.
“I think it’d be so funny,” she said. “I think I could do it if I tried. It’d be so fun.”
The state tournament in Yakima is Camas’ second consecutive state berth.
As for its first-round opponent, this isn’t Camas and Lake Stevens’ first go-around this season. They met in the championship match of the Kent Classic, an annual tournament that draws some of the state’s elite programs, on Sept. 19.
While Lake Stevens topped the Papermakers for the title, facing future state tournament-caliber competition can only benefit Camas, Villaluz said.
“We’re all ready,” she said. “We know what to expect; we’re played this team before, and it’s just going out there and executing in the game.”
