PREP VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Top teams and athletes to watch

Last season was a tremendous one for Treasure Valley volleyball teams.

Three schools from the area won a state title. Skyview continued its dominance in the sport, winning a fourth-straight state title. Fruitland won in 3A, breaking an eight-year drought for teams from the Treasure Valley. In 2A, Melba won back-to-back state titles.

In addition to the state champions, Eagle finished runner-up in 5A, pushing champions Madison to the final set of the tournament. Cole Valley finished third in 2A.

Whereas last season’s state tournaments were all held in Northern Idaho, they’ll be more spread out this fall. The 6A and 5A tournaments are in Idaho Falls, 4A is in Coeur d’Alene, 3A in Mosco, 2A in Jerome and 1A in Twins Falls.

Conference’s will look a little different this year in the area under the IHSAA’s new classification system.

Here are the top teams and athletes to watch this fall.

6A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE

One of the Idaho’s premier volleyball program is back in the top class.

Winners of six state titles since 2016, Skyview was originally unaffected by the IHSAA’s reclassification system. But they petitioned up to 6A, returning to the level where they started their current run of state titles. The Hawks won the 5A (now 6A) state title in 2020 and 2021 before winning the 4A (now 5A) state title in 2022 and 2023. Their return immediately puts them back in the state title mix in 6A.

However, it’s almost an entirely new lineup this season. Alex Bower, the Player of the Year in 4A last season, is gone, along with two other All-state performers and three other All-conference players.

Junior outside hitter Bellamie Beus and sophomore outside hitter Lizzie Bower highlight the returning players, both All-state selections last season. Beus has committed to the University of Kentucky. If there’s one thing you can bank on each year, it’s Skyview fielding a talented team.

The team that coaches are high on entering this season is Owyhee. Of the nine coaches that responded to a preseason survey for information on their teams, six rated the Storm as the top team. With three All-state players and three All-conference players back, Owyhee has the pieces to make a run at a first-ever state title.

The three All-state players last season were senior outside hitters Makaiya Gerhardt and Mikale Roy and sophomore rightside hitter Reese Meier. Seniors Shaynee McWilliams and Kenna McClure and junior Mary Irwin were All-conference. The Storm reached the state tournament last season but did not place.

The team that defeated Owyhee at state was Eagle, who graduated five starters, including SIC Player of the Year Delaney Bub. The Mustangs will be led this season by Purdue commit Majia Howse and All-SIC honorable mention Masina Wooley.

Other teams looking to challenge for the top spot in the conference are Centennial and Rocky Mountain. The Patriots will be boosted this season by the return of senior outside hitter Eliana Ti’a. She was an All-state selection as a sophomore but missed last season with a torn ACL. Back for her senior season, she’s committed to Washington State. Senior Daelyn Harris is also back, committed to Idaho State. Centennial has eight seniors in total.

Rocky Mountain reached the state tournament last year and aims to return this season. Junior outside hitter Chloe Hansen highlights the returning players, a second-team All-SIC player last season.

Mountain View just missed out on the state tournament last season, losing in the state play-in game. The Mavericks have a pair of college commits in seniors Tenesyn Frye (University of Houston) and Sydney Hyde (University of Colorado-Colorado Springs).

Timberline was the other SIC team to reach the state tournament, but has to replace their entire starting lineup.

5A SIC

With Skyview out of the picture, the top spot in the conference is up for grabs. In fact, two of the top three teams in the league last year are gone, with Ridgevue moving up to 6A.

Columbia looks poised to take advantage. They didn’t reach the state tournament last year despite finishing second in the conference with a 9-3 record. The return of senior outside hitter Lacey Dogherty will have them shooting for state yet again. She was second-team All-state as a sophomore but missed last season due to injury.

Middleton drops down to 5A after finishing 11-8 last season in Idaho’s top class and just missing out on the state tournament. Senior Sydney Short was All-SIC honorable mention last season. Juniors Nola Bondarczuk and Zoey Blackwell return as outside hitters.

Bishop Kelly is hoping to make some waves in a new-look conference. Second team All-SIC selection Caroline Monahan is the top returner on a youthful team with six sophomores.

Vallivue finished sixth in the conference last season with a 3-9 record in SIC play, but made a run in the district tournament to reach state. They have one All-conference player back in senior Denise Child.

Caldwell’s Tamar Callender is the lone first-team All-SIC player back in the league.

4A SNAKE RIVER VALLEY CONFERENCE

Defending state champion Fruitland is gearing up for another championship run. Led by two-time 3A Player of the Year Brooke Hardy, the Grizzlies have a shot at a fourth state title under Rena Sitz, who begins her 16th season as head coach. Hardy has already committed to BYU as a junior.

Fruitland had two other All-state selections last season — senior Aleksi Drollinger and sophomore Eva Wall. Throw in seniors Kayce Haun, Lina Schiffauer, Abbey Grimes and Sophia Moncada, and you can pencil in the Grizzlies as the favorite in the conference.

McCall-Donnelly finished second in the league last year and lost four All-SRV players ahead of this season. Seniors Lexi Arnold (second team) and Rylee Arnold (honorable mention) highlight the returning players.

Weiser had the same conference record (8-2) as the Grizzlies and Vandals last season but lost in the state play-in game. Head coach Michelle Estes feels confident about her squad, led by second-team All-conference pick Paisley Noyer. Senior Madi Wilkins was honorable mention. The Wolverines are hoping a team consisting of seven seniors can get them back to the state tournament.

New to the conference this season are Cole Valley Christian and Emmett. The Chargers were the top seed in the 2A state tournament last year and went 17-5. It could take some time for Cole Valley to adjust to the new league, having to replace five All-conference players from last season. Emmett went 0-17 last season.

3A WESTERN IDAHO CONFERENCE

Melba successfully defended its state title last season and has the talent to make a run at three in a row. The Mustangs return their best player, Tariah Carter. The senior outside hitter was the Player of the Year in 2A last season. Junior Ellie Johnson and sophomore Joelle Kelly were also first-team All-state selections.

Nampa Christian will look to challenge Melba led by a pair of All-conference returners in seniors Alexis Douthit (first team) and Kailey Reeves (second team). The Trojans finished third in the conference last season and reached the state tournament.

Ambrose has three All-WIC players back in senior Brooklyn Sawyer (first team), sophomore Anna Campbell (second team) and senior Bridget Bagley (honorable mention).