High school volleyball preview: Top teams, players in South Sound in 2025
The high school volleyball season is underway in the South Sound and across Washington. Here are the top teams and players to watch this fall.
4A SPSL
One year ago, Curtis authored a storybook run the program will remember forever — an undefeated, 27-0 season cemented by a sweep of Kennedy Catholic in the 4A state championship at the Yakima Valley SunDome. What do the Vikings have in store for this go-around? Curtis graduated TNT All-Area Player of the Year Avery Cukjati, a powerful outside hitter who spearheaded that magical year, but five starters return for a repeat bid in University Place. Also new: Camryn Buell takes over as head coach, the younger sister of departing coach Taylor Bautista, acknowledging the big shoes left behind to fill. Curtis brings back a pair of all-state nods in senior libero Elaina Duong (320 digs in 2024), the SPSL’s reigning Defensive MVP, and right-side hitter Selana Morales (214 kills, 77 blocks in 2024). Another name to look out for? Kate Harris, a junior setter impressing Curtis coaches with leadership beyond her years. “What’s really impressive is her versatility,” Buell said. “Kate could play any position I ask her to, and she’d excel.” The Vikings opened their season with a three-set sweep of Skyline on Sept. 8, now having lost just seven total sets in the program’s last 28 matches. Around the league, Emerald Ridge will challenge with returning TNT first-team middle blocker Nevaeh Thomas and junior setter Olivia Puttler following their 10-1 runner-up finish in the SPSL last fall. Sumner welcomes freshman outside hitter Bryn Kastberg into the fold, a “dominant” addition alongside 11 returners, Spartans coach Katlyn Mataya-Nakamura said. Bonney Lake features junior duo Taylin Beers (OH) and Tessa Lee (L), and Puyallup is led by senior middle blocker Sienna Hanson. And could Graham-Kapowsin rise back atop the standings? The Eagles, led by seniors Addi Stone and Karlie Dickerson, made a statement in their season-opener by knocking off reigning 4A runner-up Kennedy Catholic in five sets on Sept. 9.
4A NPSL
It’s a league dominated by Kennedy Catholic in recent years. The Lancers own a 27-game win streak over NPSL rivals dating back to Oct. 2022, and the defending 4A runners-up are in the driver’s seat to repeat their league crown once again with defending NPSL Player of the Year and senior setter Maya Quitiquit (801 assists in 2024). Kennedy Catholic dropped only 12 sets last season, half of them by the hands of eventual 4A-champion Curtis. Mount Rainier remains a threat following their 11-3 finish last fall, powered by outside hitter Joscelyne Gross, who tallied three aces in a three-set sweep of Spanaway Lake in the Rams’ season opener. Tahoma graduated Montana commit Annika Wright but returns outside hitter Charlie Leipheimer for a Bears program eyeing a return to the state bracket. Auburn Riverside (8-6 last fall) aims for a leap with first-year head coach Heidi Hillis and outside hitter Kate Danielson, a UW beach volleyball commit.
3A NPSL
White River (16-0) and Enumclaw (13-3) formed a two-team race for the league crown last fall — so could we see another Battle of the Hornets in 2025? White River marched to the 3A state quarterfinals before falling to No. 2 North Thurston, and reigning League MVP Emery Stevenson (along with four more returning starters) should keep them in the hunt for another state bid. New White River head coach Hayley Steinman: “The biggest storyline is getting this team to continue to be undefeated in league and strong at districts… but how are they going to take that next step to make it to the state championship?” Enumclaw returns eight varsity players altogether, including first-team setter Haley Dumontet and middle blocker Ava Smith, both NPSL all-league selections in 2024.
3A PSL
The North Thurston Rams are running it back. The defending 3A state runners-up fell to No. 1 Ridgeline in last fall’s championship match, but longtime head coach Jackie Meyer and Co. return every starter for a run at vengeance in 2025. It starts with senior outside hitter Addy Conner, last year’s 2024 State Tournament MVP who stacked 488 kills, 259 digs, and 40 blocks as a junior. Senior setter Sammi Humphrey (347 assists in 2024) feeds Conner and junior outside hitter Abby Losey, a first-team PSL selection last year. And look out for Rams senior Anna Sheeran, a second-team all-PSL libero who posted 441 and 41 aces throughout North Thurston’s 2024 run. Timberline is a surefire contender with returning outside hitter Kinley Smith, a still-ascending junior considered one of the state’s best in kills last fall (435, 9th in WA). There’s plenty of talent surrounding the 5-foot-10 Smith, too — and senior captain Destiny Mars joins her on the outside, along with junior libero Jovie Lind. The Blazers rolled to a three-set sweep of Peninsula in their season opener on Sept. 9. A potential dark horse: Could Lakes wind up on the league radar this fall? The Lancers return PSL Defensive MVP Marley Alefaio and add outside hitter Moki Filiaga, who missed all of last season with an ACL tear, sweeping a recent jamboree (6-0) with wins over Central Kitsap, Peninsula, Lincoln, Bethel, and Spanaway Lake. “We stayed consistent,” Lakes coach Krista Kelly said, “(and) took big risks that paid off.”
2A SPSL
Washington Patriots head coach Paul Souza thinks this could be the year. The defending undefeated league champions (14-0) are clear favorites once again, and with five returning starters, how far will they go when the postseason rolls around? “I told them, the only people going to beat them in our league is themselves,” Souza said. “If they put it all together, they should take care of business.” Washington faltered in the first round of the state tournament last year without outside hitter Trina Liulevaega (knee), only fueling desire for a deeper run with the Patriots core still intact. Versatile outside hitter Louden Leia could be featured more in the middle for Washington this fall, after tallying 164 digs and 111 kills in the 2024 regular season. “She can play any position on the court,” Souza said. “She can set, she can play the middle, she can play the outside. She’s just an all-around player. ... And with authority. She’ll pound it.” Beyond Leia and Liulevaega, watch for senior outside hitter Amiah Lowe, three starting sophomores, and a group of freshmen that could push for instant varsity roles. Defending 2A SPSL runner-up Orting will factor in despite the graduation of SPSL Libero of the Year Kennadi Hall, and Steilacoom returns second-team libero Olivia Ritter.
2A EvCo
It’s a dream scenario in Tumwater: The T-Birds return four defending All-EvCo first-team nods and eight seniors in total, a program poised to build on their run to last fall’s 2A state quarterfinals. Outside hitter Tove Hugus, libero Lalie Betschart, middle blocker Paige Henderson, and setter Bailey Broeker are rolling early on with three sweeps of Mark Morris, Steilacoom, and R.A. Long in non-league play. And they’re managed entirely by Tumwater alums with state-title experience aiming for another ring — first-year head coach Kennedy Croft guides the varsity program, Madison Stauffer joins the varsity ranks as Croft’s assistant, and Savannah Sleasman directs the junior varsity squad. Tumwater is 33-1 in their last 34 EvCo matchups.
1A NISQUALLY
We’re expecting a competitive race for the Nisqually title, where Cascade Christian and senior outside hitter Jenica Walling make their bid for a league three-peat. Bellevue Christian remains a threat in a league that graduated many of its standouts, and Annie Wright will challenge — powered by Nisqually first-team outside hitter Sloane Jackson. “We all play the same (and) have strong teams,” Golden Gators head coach Tahia Malu said, “and will put up some great games this season.” Annie Wright hosts defending-champion Cascade Christian on Sept. 4 and visits the Cougars on Oct. 22.
30 PLAYERS TO WATCH
MB Marley Alefaio, Lakes, sr.
OH Taylin Beers, Bonney Lake, jr.
S Colby Bellerive, Emerald Ridge, sr.
L Lalie Betschart, Tumwater, sr.
OH Addy Conner, North Thurston, sr.
OH Kate Danielson, Auburn Riverside, sr.
OH Karlie Dickerson, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
S Haley Dumontet, Enumclaw, sr.
L Elaina Duong, Curtis, sr.
OH Milly Guardipee, Puyallup, jr.
OH Peyton Frederick, Emerald Ridge, jr.
MB Sienna Hanson, Puyallup, sr.
S Kate Harris, Curtis, jr.
OH Sloane Jackson, Annie Wright, jr.
MB Ava Knapp, Puyallup, jr.
L Tessa Lee, Bonney Lake, jr.
OH/MB Louden Leia, Washington, sr.
L Jovie Lind, Timberline, jr.
OH Trina Liulevaega, Washington, sr.
OH Abby Losey, North Thurston, jr.
OH Destiny Mars, Timberline, sr
OH Selana Morales, Curtis, sr.
OH Grace Morgan, Bellarmine Prep, jr.
S Olivia Puttler, Emerald Ridge, jr.
L Olivia Ritter, Steilacoom, sr.
S Maya Quitiquit, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
OH Kinley Smith, Timberline, jr.
OH Emery Stevenson, White River, jr.
OH Jasmine Terry, Rogers, sr.
MB Nevaeh Thomas, Emerald Ridge, jr.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
