Volleyball coaches polls: Preseason
An early look at the top teams in each classification
by Jerry Ulmer, OSAAtoday
Pre-season Statewide Volleyball Coaches Polls
OSAAtoday is thrilled to present its preseason statewide volleyball coaches polls in all classifications. Thanks to all the coaches who took the time and had the expertise to contribute their opinions to this first-time endeavor.
Look for the polls at least every other week during the fall season.
Please note: these polls are for generating interest and discussion only and have no impact on the OSAA’s RPI and Colley ratings that form the basis of the OSAA’s rankings for playoff purposes.
Volleyball
6A
1. Central Catholic (6) 98
2. Jesuit (3) 89
3. West Linn 61
4. Summit 41
5. Bend 41
6. Southridge (1) 39
7. Sheldon 38
8. Sprague 37
8. Clackamas (1) 37
10. Glencoe 14
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: South Salem (13), Sunset (12), Sandy (12), Barlow (11)
Notes: Central Catholic, the champion in 2016 and runner-up last year, brings back two Mt. Hood Conference first-team picks in sophomore setter Kealani Rosa and junior libero Ava Bruins. … Jesuit beat Central Catholic in the final in 2014 and 2015 but lost five-set matches in the quarterfinals the last two years.
5A
1. Corvallis (3) 55
2. Crook County (2) 41
2. Lebanon 41
4. North Eugene (2) 40
5. Ridgeview 39
6. Wilsonville (1) 37
7. La Salle Prep 36
8. Hood River Valley 25
9. West Albany 20
10. Pendleton 13
10. Dallas 13
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: Parkrose (9), Churchill (8)
Notes: Bend and Summit, who have combined to win the last three titles, have moved to 6A. Perennial power Crook County moves up from 4A. … Corvallis lost in the semifinals the last two years. … Lebanon has made the semifinals four years in a row, reaching the final once (runner-up 2016).
4A
1. Valley Catholic (5) 84
2. Sisters (2) 72
3. Cottage Grove (2) 68
4. Hidden Valley (1) 67
5. Marshfield 45
6. Philomath (1) 33
6. Tillamook 33
8. Marist Catholic 32
9. Astoria 23
10. Henley 20
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: Cascade (15), Baker (13), Banks (12)
Notes: Sisters is the two-time reigning champion, beating Crook County and Valley Catholic in the final the last two years. … Valley Catholic is 0-3 in state championship matches, finishing second in 2008, 2013 and 2017.
3A
1. Santiam Christian (2) 50
2. Blanchet Catholic 47
3. Cascade Christian (3) 42
4. Creswell 30
5. Salem Acad. 24
6. Burns (1) 22
7. St. Mary’s, Medford (1) 21
8. Vale 16
9. Rainier 15
10. Portland Adventist 14
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: South Umpqua (12)
Notes: In last year’s state final, Cascade Christian defeated Santiam Christian in five sets. … Cascade Christian returns all but one player from that match, including the returning 3A player of the year in senior outside hitter Caroline McMahon. … Blanchet Catholic brings back six starters from last year’s state tournament team, including all-league senior outside hitter Kalea Salang.
2A
1. Kennedy (4) 78
2. Grant Union (3) 76
3. Culver (2) 72
4. Central Linn 53
5. Portland Christian 32
6. Reedsport 23
7. Gaston 18
8. Monroe 17
9. Weston-McEwen 16
10. Coquille 15
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: Union (13), Bonanza (12)
Notes: Culver has placed at state in every year since 2011, including the 2012 title. Culver was runner-up to Grant Union last year. … Kennedy lost a five-set match to Grant Union in the semifinals last year. … Central Linn was a semifinalist last year.
1A
1. Country Christian (6) 76
2. Hosanna Christian (2) 64
3. Joseph 60
4. Crosshill Christian 55
5. South Wasco County (2) 40
6. Days Creek 35
7. North Douglas 34
8. St. Paul (1) 26
9. McKenzie 17
10. Perrydale 15
10. Prairie City 15
First-place votes in parentheses
Others receiving significant votes: Dufur (13), Powder Valley (12), Echo (10)
Notes: Country Christian is going for its fifth consecutive title. The Cougars dropped only one set at the state tournament last year. … Hosanna Christian, runner-up in 2015 and 2017, is seeking its first title. The Lady Lions are led by all-state senior middle blocker Miriam Levesque.
