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Young Huskie squad hopes to duplicate last years run

Bob Barrett Contributing Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 10 months AGO
by Bob Barrett Contributing Writer
| September 3, 2017 1:00 AM

Othello volleyball coach Steve Parris shares something in common with Lady Huskie soccer coach Bernie Garza this year: both have rosters loaded with youth and very few seniors.

“We are young this year,” Parris said. “We only have five seniors.”

Eight Huskie seniors graduated from last years squad that won seven consecutive league games and shared the league title for some seven weeks.

“We did a fantastic job last year,” Parris said. “They really stepped it up.”

The squad returns setter Macy Hampton, outside hitters Eryn Wolfs and Mykiah Hollenbeck, and middle blocker Alyssa Hawley.

Hitters Heidi Martinez, Tanaya Andersen, Cayleen Garza and Dominique Martinez and libero Allison Garza are among the graduating seniors.

Last year the Huskies won games with grit and determination and a never say die attitude.

Othello was able to keep the ball in play and count on their opponents to make a mistake allowing the Huskies to score points and win matches on their opponent’s errors.

Unfortunately, late in the season, the Huskies played tougher opponents who did not make enough mistakes for Othello to earn the victory. The team ended up tied for third in league and lost a cross-over game to Cheney to fall one win away from earning a berth to the state 2A tournament.

‘’As far as hitters go, we are probably below where we were last year,” Parris said. “Alyssa Hawley and Alyssa Freeman will be the main force at the net along with Eryn Wolfs and Mykiah Hollenbeck.

Replacing Garza at libero is another matter.

“Libero is one of those spots we are searching for,” Parris said. “We are looking for someone with both the hustle and skills needed.”

Coach Parris believes serving will be a point of strength.

“Our serving will be stronger,” Parris said. “At this point, our serve receive is not where it needs to be. We are working on making certain our best passers are in the necessary spots.”

With the Selah Vikings and the Ellensburg Bulldogs dominating the CWAC, it takes a good squad to make a run at a league title.

“We are going to be small,” Parris said. “We have some good all around players. We don’t have any fantastic ones.”

This year’s squad is hoping it can make the same successful run through the league that last year’s squad made. That team started the year after losing eight seniors as well.

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ARTICLES BY BOB BARRETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

September 6, 2017 1 a.m.

Othello cross-country returns top boys

Boys who ran 15 of the top 22 times with last year’s cross country squad will return for the 2017 season. Sophomore David Maldonado sets the pace for the Huskie pack attack.

Young Huskie squad hopes to duplicate last years run
September 3, 2017 1 a.m.

Young Huskie squad hopes to duplicate last years run

Othello volleyball coach Steve Parris shares something in common with Lady Huskie soccer coach Bernie Garza this year: both have rosters loaded with youth and very few seniors.

Old school Huskies look to ground out wins
September 2, 2017 1 a.m.

Old school Huskies look to ground out wins

Last year, the Othello Huskies bounced back from an opening loss to Connell to win seven straight CWAC conference games. The Pack Attack then suffered league losses to Prosser and Ellensburg to finish tied with Selah and Prosser for third place in league play. A loss to West Valley of Spokane in a cross-over game ended Othello’s season one win shy of a berth into the 2A state tournament.