The Pioneers are young, but theyre also talented

If one goes by experience in varsity-level play, it will be a building year for Oregon City High School volleyball in 2012.

Seven players return from last year’s varsity, but seniors Mykala Rubey (6-0 outside hitter) and Sylvia Lobuono (6-1 middle blocker) are the only returning players who saw much action last season. And the Pioneers have five sophomores and only four seniors on their 14-player varsity roster.

“We’re young and inexperienced, but we’ve got some young players who are real athletic and they’ve got a lot of experience playing club volleyball....,” said Oregon City coach Syd Yamasaki. “The league is strong at the top. We’ve got a lot to learn and I don’t look for us to do much until midseason. But maybe they’ll surprise me....

“These kids are pretty green, but they are athletic and they’re very competitive. Hopefully they’ll have a steep learning curve.”

“The sophomores have stepped up to the plate and they’re working just as hard as everyone else,” senior co-captain Sierra VeraCruz said. “I’m really impressed with them. They’re going to just keep getting better in the years ahead and they’ve already got good skills and a great work ethic.”

The sophomores do have talent. Last year’s freshmen team went undefeated in league.

“Our defense is pretty good,” VeraCruz said. “It’s definitely better than last year.”

“We just need to work on being more aggressive on offense,” said co-captain Mykala Rubey.

Returning lettermen include: seniors Rubey, Lobuono, VeraCruz (5-7 defensive specialist) and Natalie Ferland (5-6 defensive specialist); and juniors Elizabeth Verschingel (6-0 middle blocker), Dani Stevens (5-5 defensive specialist) and Lindsay Keegan (5-11 middle blocker).

Sophomores new to the varsity include: Kaitlynn Donaca, (5-4 defensive specialist), Kylee Brevick (5-8 defensive specialist/setter), Katie White (5-3 defensive specialist), Taylor Katzmarek (5-8 outside hitter) and Kylee Krug (5-8 outside hitter).

Juniors Ellee Biery (5-7 outside hitter/defensive specialist) and Erin Morris (5-7 defensive specialist) have moved up from last year’s jayvee.

“We definitely want to make it to the state tournament,” said senior co-captain Mykala Rubey. “It won’t be easy, but I think if we treat every game we play like it was the last time we played volleyball and leave everything on the court, I think we can.”

“I definitely see us in the higher ranks in league this year,” said VeraCruz. “But we’ve got to keep working hard.”

The Pioneers travel to Thurston this Thursday. Their first home match is scheduled next Tuesday with Sunset. League play begins Sept. 18, when the Pioneers play host to Canby.