Junior-laden Skyview volleyball looks to win now and in future

With only one senior, the Skyview volleyball team could use this short spring season to build toward next fall.

No way, say the Storm. Let’s win now.

That energy has powered the junior-laden Storm to a 6-1 record in the 4A/3A Greater St. Helens League, including a 3-1 road win over Union on Wednesday. The set scores were 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15.

With COVID-19 canceling the most recent club season, most Skyview players hadn’t played competitive volleyball for six months before high school competition began in February.

Rekindling the passion for volleyball hasn’t been a problem for Skyview.

“From day one they were ready and itching to play,” Skyview coach Shelby Swanson said. “A lot of the times our energy gets really hot. So we have to say OK, we have to settle into ourselves and focus that into productive energy, not just chaotic energy.”

Outside hitter Tyra Schaub, who was 4A GSHL co-player of the year in 2019, leads a class of six juniors. Wednesday, Schaub had a team-high 15 kills along with eight digs and two aces.

“I think we’re all just hungry,” Schaub said. “Knowing it’s a short season, we have to get in, work hard and fight for what we want to do in the end, which is to win.”

Emily Wood (33 digs), Avalon Watkins (31 assists, 9 digs), Kayden Thomas (9 kills) and Riley Hill (2 aces, 13 assists) were other juniors who also keyed Wednesday’s win.

Hill, who is new to Skyview, said the team has come together remarkably well in a short amount of time.

“I feel like at the beginning it was a bit of a struggle,” Hill said. “But also just communicating all around, I feel like that’s improved definitely the most.”

Wednesday’s win sets the stage for a ferocious finish to the season. Skyview will face Camas (5-0) on both Saturday and Monday. The Storm will then end the season March 24 against Kelso (6-1), which handed Skyview its lone league loss.

Swanson said the intensity of a short season can only help her team in the fall, when the Storm will be both talented and senior-laden.

“We’re taking it as an opportunity to really hone our skills with this team,” Swanson said. “We know we’re going to have a fall season that’s right around the corner. We’re really excited to get in knowing this group is going to stay together.”

Schaub isn’t yet looking ahead to the fall. She’s too busy enjoying the chance to play now.

“Any minute that we get and the privilege we have to play, especially in such a highly populated area,” Schaub said. “We all want to be out here and work hard.”

Drew Eggleston had 11 kills and Kendall Clark had nine kills and 11 digs for Union (4-3).

SKYVIEW 3, UNION 1

25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15

Skyview

Highlights — Angela Olson 9 digs; Emily Wood 33 digs, 7 assists, 1 ace; Kayden Thomas 2 aces, 1 dig, 1 assist, 9 kills; Makenna Eoff  4 blocks, 3 kill, 4 digs; Avalon Watkins 9 digs, 31 assists; Riley Hill 2 aces, 5 digs, 13 assists, 3 kills, 2 blocks; Annie Hite 2 digs, 14 assists, 1 kill; Maddie Flynn 2 digs; Lauren Harris 3 digs, 4 kills, 1 block; Madi Wallman 3 blocks, 2 digs, 1 assists, 3 kills; Tyra Schaub– 8 digs, 2 blocks, 15 kills, 3 aces.

Union

Highlights — Kendall Clark 11 digs, 9 kills, 3 assists; Drew Eggleston 4 digs, 11 kills; Hannah Schmidt 1 dig, 2 kills, 2 blocks; Piper McKibbin 1 kill, 2 blocks; Abby Watson 12 digs, 11 assists, 1 ace; Josie Becker 1 dig, 11 assists, 4 aces; Ruby Ochoa 2 digs, 1 kill; Reilyn Sabado 4 digs, 2 assists; Maecy Dale 9 digs.

JV — Union won