The Falcon volleyball team is returning this fall after a second place finish in state. With new players and a new coach, they are looking to build off of last year’s success and make another run at the championship.

The Falcons have started off the year strong with a record of 7 wins and only 1 loss in league play. So far, they have proven that they will be again a competitor at the 5A level.

In terms of the team’s strengths and weaknesses, the team has improved a lot since the beginning of summer and is looking to continue growing.

Returning varsity player and senior Emmerson Smith stated, “As a team, we have a very strong offense and defense. I would say we have weaknesses but nothing that we can’t turn into strengths.” She also stated that Sandy will probably be their biggest challenge this season.

With the new season, the Falcons also have a new coach in Chijo Takeda. Smith says of Takeda, “Our new coach is amazing. He pushes us to become not just better volleyball players but better people.”

Takeda has more than 20 years of coaching experience as he previously served as assistant coach at Tualatin High School and then head coach at Wilsonville High School where he was the 5A coach of the year for two consecutive seasons. He also currently coaches a youth club team.

“I coach at La Salle to help grow our great volleyball tradition,” Takeda stated. He also went on to share, “I especially look forward to seeing the growth in our players as we develop chemistry and a sense of rhythm when playing together.”

With a great start to the season, hopefully the Falcons will continue to succeed. This week, the team played league rival St. Helens on Tuesday at home, earning a win with a dominant 3-0 performance, and then they will travel to Wilsonville on Thursday for a 6:45 game. Good luck to our Lady Falcons!