Volleyball Coaches’ Poll

By
John Braese
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Preseason polls are always interesting and this year’s poll by the Oregon Schools Activities Association is no different.

The 4A poll has only La Grande in the top ten teams when discussing eastern Oregon teams. The Tigers are picked ninth in the poll.

Valley Catholic, the reigning state title holders, is picked to again pick up the coveted state title.

The 3A poll is dominated by private schools at the top. Again, the current state champion is again picked to once again be atop the teams once the state tournament is completed. Santiam Christian is again picked to hold the banner according to the coaches with Blanchet Catholic ranked second.

The current district champion here in eastern Oregon, the Burns Hilanders, are ranked ninth.

Things change when the coaches pick the preseason best in the 2A. Kennedy, a semifinalist the last two seasons but a team without a state title in its history, is picked to finally host a banner.

Eastern Oregon is seen in the 2A picks though with Weston-McEwen ranked third. Grant Union fills the fifth spot and Heppner picked up votes though outside the top ten.

If the state’s coaches are correct, eastern Oregon will see a state title in the 1A ranks. Powder Valley out of the Old Oregon League is currently at the top of the polling. Crane was picked eighth in the rankings and Joseph sits ninth.

Powder Valley was the state runner up last year, falling to St. Paul, this year’s second ranked team according to the poll. St. Paul came down last year from the 2A side and went 30-0.

4A Poll

  1. Valley Catholic
  2.  Sweet Home
  3. Sisters
  4. Cottage Grove
  5. Hidden Valley
  6. Marist Catholic
  7. Tillamook
  8. Banks
  9. La Grande
  10. Marshfield

Also receiving votes: Philomath, Junction City, Seaside, Henley

3A Poll

  1. Santiam Christian
  2. Blanchet Catholic
  3. Cascade Christian
  4. Salem Academy
  5. Creswell
  6. South Umpqua
  7. Catlin Gabel
  8. Horizon Christian, Tualatin
  9. Burns
  10. Yamhill Christian

Also receiving votes: Dayton, Harrisburg, Sutherlin, Warrenton

2A Poll

  1. Kennedy
  2. Portland Christian
  3. Weston-McEwen
  4. Central Linn
  5. Grant Union
  6. Veronia
  7. Coquille
  8. Culver
  9. Oakridge
  10. Union Bobcats

Also receiving votes: Heppner, Knappa, Bonanza, Faith Bible, Glide

1A Poll

  1. Powder Valley
  2. St. Paul
  3. Hosanna Christian
  4. North Douglas
  5. Days Creek
  6. Perrydale
  7. Crosshill Christian
  8. Crane
  9. Joseph
  10. McKenzie

Also receiving votes: Damascus Christian, Alsea, Country Christian

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