Centralia College Volleyball Freshmen (Aug. 21)
Whatever happens this year for the Centralia College volleyball team, you can count on one thing.
You’ll recognize the faces in uniform.
The Trailblazers will trot out four local players and return three players from last year’s squad that have already made a big impact out on the court.
“This is the most local team we’ve had in a while,” Centralia College coach Susan Gordan said. “I was happy these kids wanted to stay close to home.”
Morton-White Pass’ Madison King, Napavine’s Makayla Dailey, Tenino’s Aleana Bronson and Onalaska’s McKenna Ulery will all add local flavor after solid prep careers. They’ll join sophomore outside hitter and All-NWAC second-team athlete Tiana Reynolds and sophomore libero standout Becca Ball.
Reynolds will be an offensive key for the Trailblazers as the 5-foot-11 outside hitter collected 170 kills last season to go along with 151 digs. Despite the team going 4-26 in 2014, she was able to earn All-NWAC honors and comes into this year as team captain.
“I’m really excited to play with this team and we’ve already improved so much since beginning practice,” the Hawaii Prep graduate said.
She’ll be joined by her sister, setter Tehane Reynolds, on the team this year.
“We’re a duo. It will be good to have her on the squad,” Reynolds said.
Communication and the team’s ability to stay positive is something Reynolds thinks will be a strength this year. Balance could be another plus for the Trailblazers, as Iliganoa Ena of Hermiston, Ore. will help bolster the outside hitter position when Reynolds rotates away from the net.
“She’ll definitely be key for us and help offset when Tiana goes back row,” Gordon said.
Speaking of the back row, Ball will be doing her normal tumbling, diving and handstands to stop the other team’s kills. Ball collected 235 digs last year for the Trailblazers, notching four digs a set.
Colton, Ore. standout Joslyn Stansfield is another returning sophomore for Centralia, as she added 88 kills and 30 digs to the Blazers efforts last year.
Locally, Napavine’s Makayla Dailey comes to Michael Smith Gymnasium after earning Central 2B League second-team honors her junior season and 1st All-League honors her senior year. She wanted to be close to home and will be an outside hitter and middle blocker for the Trailblazers.
“I’ve played against some of these players in high school and I’ve played with them on select teams,” Dailey said.
The 5-foot-7 former Napavine Tiger said she wants to succeed and show that even though some might consider her short, you can find success and get where you want to be with hard work.
Morton-White Pass’ Madison King is a two-time Central 2B League First Team pick and made The Chronicle’s All-Area team her junior season. King considered Centralia College before even looking at the athletic options. Gordon came to one of King’s volleyball tournaments and ended up offering her a scholarship later.
“Our whole team has been working really hard at practice and we’re all super motivated to make it to NWACs,” King said. “We have some great players on the team and everyone has a role that will help us get where we want to be.”
King is expected by Gordon to be an impact setter and defender for the Trailblazers this year.
Coming from Tenino is Aleana Bronson, who is technically a sophomore after doing Running Start. She helped the Beavers to the State 1A tournament for the first time in 16 years and made the All-Academic state team.
“I really enjoyed volleyball at high school and making state really wanted me to continue playing,” Bronson said. “Centralia will also really help me be able to play volleyball after I transfer to another school after my sophomore year.”
Bronson added that the team has a lot of good players that will allow her to grow and learn.
McKenna Ulery was a three-sport athlete for Onalaska, making the Central 2B League 2nd team her senior year. She’ll shore up the right side for the Blazers and be a defender.
Rounding out the roster is freshman defender Kimiyo Asanuma of Parkrose, Ore. and middle blocker Vaness Larios of North Kitsap.
The team is hoping to finish in the top four of the region standings and make the NWAC tournament. Standing in their way will be a Tacoma squad that won the West Region last year and returns several freshmen. Green River also returns plenty of players after finishing fourth in the division last year.
“They want to set up that tradition,” Gordon said of making NWACs. “They’ve worked hard and we have some good freshmen on the squad.”
Centralia College will play in a preseason tournament on Monday and officially begin the season by hosting Yakima on Sept. 7.
