‘Super-hard working’ Eagle volleyball team opens 2024 season Friday

A trio of coaches who all played at the junior college level before moving up to four-year programs is leading the way for the 2024 College of the Siskiyous volleyball team.

Head coach Lyndi Scholl believes the Eagles will be the hardest working team in the gym when they compete this fall.

The roster, including four returning sophomores and 10 freshmen, features players from many parts of the country, including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, and Michigan.

Scholl said the team's "super-hard working" players are good at keeping the ball up on defense and playing every single point. They showed those skills, along with some strong hitting and blocking, during season-opening scrimmages on their home court last Friday against Umpqua and Rogue community colleges.

The Eagles are scheduled to play their first matches this Friday, August 23, at the Cabrillo College Tri and will continue playing on the road until hosting San Jose and Redwoods September 13 during the Siskiyous Tri.

Starting her fifth season as the Eagles' head coach, Scholl and new assistant coaches Jess Petricevic and Kayana Woodard are excited to have the team's four returning players and a talented group of new players.

Returning sophomores are:

Setter Isabella Colombo of Naselle, WA, who earned all-conference honors as a freshman.

Libero Amelia Gastelum of Seaside, OR.

Middle blocker Josie Cole of Bonanza, OR.

Right side/outside hitter Hailey Rock of Orland.

The 10 freshmen on the roster are:

Libero Sarah Speasl of Eugene, OR.

Setters Madeline Gibson of Hansen, ID, and Zoe Brooks of Kellogg, ID.

Outside hitters Delaney Rowe of Dearborn, MI; Heitiare Moala of Medford, OR; and Quincy Paarsch of Lakeport.

Middle blocker Ajhana Tagler of Winslow, AZ.

Defensive specialists Callie Denney of Spray, OR, and Samantha Oakley of Santa Clarita.

Right side hitter Sadie Graviet of Emmet, ID.

Setter Isabella Colombo (No. 6) was First Team All-Golden Valley Conference last year after finishing her freshman season ranked in the top 10 among Golden Valley Conference players in numerous categories. She was 2nd in assists (624), 2nd in assists per set (7.7), 5th in service aces per set, 8th in service aces (43), 9th in digs per set (3.02), and 10th in digs (245).

No. 8 Josie Cole was one of the Eagles' top front row players last year, leading the team in blocks per set and tying for 3rd on the team in hitting percentage.

Scholl said No. 3 Amelia Gastelum is stepping up this year, and No. 14 Hailey Rock has the potential to make a good impact.

No. 12 Zoe Brooks looked good while doing most of the setting during the Eagles season-opening scrimmages.

Scholl described No. 11 Samantha Oakley as an awesome server and back row player, while No. 10 Quincy Paarsch is a hard-working "gamer" who loves to compete and will be a big factor for the Eagles' defense this season.

No. 13 Sadie Graviet, a super utility player, is showing growth as both a hitter and blocker, according to the coach, and new libero Sarah Speasl (No. 2) is a "super-smart player" who showed in the scrimmage that she doesn't let much hit the ground when the ball is anywhere near her.

Scholl said No. 15 Ajhana Tagler is eager to learn and showed her strengths during the scrimmage as both a middle blocker and offensive threat.

No. 7 Heitiare Moala displayed her hard outside hitting talent in the scrimmage, while No. 9 Callie Denney had a good serving run in the scrimmage against Umpqua.

The coach said it was beneficial that this year's sophomores got beach volleyball experience during the spring season, playing a form of the game that helps build strength, develop volleyball IQ, and improve their all-around game.

Scholl sees it as a good thing for the players that she and her new assistant coaches all know what it takes to advance from playing junior college volleyball to playing at a four-year school. "It's good for helping our girls understand that starting at the junior college level doesn't limit where you can go," she said.

Scholl's playing career took her from a community college in Illinois to San Jose State. When the team got together to watch indoor and beach volleyball during the Summer Olympics in Paris, they saw some USA team members who Scholl had competed against.

Petricevic played volleyball at Yreka High School, Shasta College in Redding, and University of Maine at Fort Kent. She now coaches the Yreka High School volleyball team and joined the Eagles' program in the spring as head beach volleyball coach. During her stint as head coach at UMFK, the women's volleyball team reached the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division I national tournament two years in a row and competed in the 2017 Final Four.

Woodard, from Central Point, OR, was a two-time all-conference setter for the Eagles before playing at Mississippi Valley State. She has returned to start her coaching career and is working a lot with the setters this fall.

The Eagles' pre-season includes a home match against Yuba September 18 and concludes at Los Medanos October 2. They then start conference play with two home matches, October 11 against Butte and October 16 against Lassen.