Pirate volleyball looks to gain experience

After starting practice on Monday, Neah-Kah-Nie will be focusing on having an improved squad this following a disappointing 2023 season in which the Pirates were 2-10 in the Class 3A Coastal Range League and 4-15 overall. It marked the second straight season the Pirates won just two league contests.

The Pirates, guided by 10th year Coach Jacque Vandecoevering and assistant Coach Jenni Stinnett, lost five graduated seniors from last year. They’ll have a talented squad returning this season that includes leadership from the senior quartet of Elizabeth Reyes-Avalos, Jadan Ayers, Krista Bosley and Ashley Perez.

“I kind of expect that we’ll probably continue to struggle again this year, but we’ll see what happens,” said Vandecoevering. “We’re a pretty young team and our seniors are really kind of an inexperienced group. I’m excited for the underclassmen because I feel that as they continue on their high school career, they’ll be really great players when they are seniors. So, we’ll be focusing on getting more experience for the younger kids to help get them ready for the season.”

The Bobcats also have a senior foreign exchange student from Mexico who is 6-foot-2 and will most likely be a strong force in front of the net for the Pirates. The Pirates will also be looking for key contributions on the court from sophomores Jasmine Jones and Ruby Marteeny, and juniors Aspen Burden, Bianca Smith and Avery Spellman.

“Most of the younger players have been participating in offseason workouts, they’re really committed to the program, and they want to become better players and that’s why I’m excited about that group,” said Vandecoevering. “We’ll have the tall and experienced foreign exchange student in the middle, who will certainly be a key player for us. If our other players step up their level of play a little, then maybe we’ll be a pretty decent team this year.”

The Pirates will play the opener of their 15-game schedule in a 4:30 p.m. nonleague local rivalry matchup at home Sept. 4 against Nestucca. The Pirates begin their 12-game CRL schedule Sept. 10 on the road versus the Yamhill-Carlton High Tigers (14-11 in 2023).