With an overall record of 11-2, La Salle’s Volleyball team is off to a great start in the Northwest Oregon Conference this year and be a well known competitor. Half way through their season, the Volleyball team is ranked 3rd and is ready to battle for the state title this year.

Head coach Liz Banta says that there is a common goal of winning both league and state between all the girls, which has contributed to making them so successful this season. “Compared to last year, there is a lot more composure and level headed” says Banta. When asked about what makes the team such a competitor in 5A, she said that the seniors on the team have great leadership and the girls work well together on the court and for the most part getting along off the court as well is what makes them have good chemistry.

Seniors and co-captains Meghan Studdard and Amanda Summers both agree that the expectations they have for the team can be achieved easily. Meghan Studdard, who has been on varsity since her freshmen year and been a captain for two years, is ready to tackle the league title.

“We have high expectations and hopes not only go far in state, but to win state as well,” said Studdard. “We’re pretty well rounded team as it is, so I think we just have a few things to perfect then we’re golden.”

Studdard is most excited for the home game on Tuesday,  October 14th against Wilsonville, which they have already beaten once, so they will be out for a win as much as La Salle is.

Amanda Summers, setter and captain, says that this year is their best chance of taking the state title. But to have this chance, Summer says they need to remain consistent. “Our team is very fundamentally sound,” Summers said. “We just need to maintain our energy against teams that are not as good as us.”

First time on varsity, underclassmen Emmerson Smith feels that La Salle has the work ethic, skill, and dedication to compete for the state title. Smith says that La Salle has many strengths and one of them is never giving up no matter how many points the other team has on the them.

Looking forward to next year, Smith says that they may be graduating very talented seniors, but she sees that with hard work and determination that they can be in the same position next year as this year.

All three girls are excited to make a statement within their upcoming games, not only in their league but against all the 5A teams in Oregon.