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Spartans rely on experience

Written by GERRY STEELE Baker City Herald September 04, 2009 02:41 pm

HALFWAY — With four returning starters, Pine-Eagle’s volleyball squad is looking to move up and challenge for a top spot in the Old Oregon League.

“Last year we gained some experience. I’ve got four of my six starters, and one player who swung from JV to varsity,” said Cindy Plano, the third-year Pine-Eagle coach.

Plano, a 1976 Pine-Eagle graduate, coached the 4-H Wasilla High School team in Alaska that went undefeated and won its first state volleyball championship in 2001, before returning to Halfway and taking on the challenge of rebuilding the volleyball program at her alma mater.

Returning starters are seniors Mackenzie Bell, Ce’ aira Marks and Alicia Marlow, and junior Kaylee Holmstead. Sophomore setter Randee Koski also returns after splitting time between the varsity and JV squads last year.

The sixth starter will be libero Ashley Butler.

Plano said the Spartans have 21 players out for volleyball this season, up from 17 last year, and 12 her first year.

“It’s nice to see the larger numbers,” the Pine-Eagle coach said.

Other varsity members are Emily Coombes, Liz Hyde, Hillary Thissell and Chelsie Gulick.

“They are a team,” Plano said. “They’re working on all kinds of things to be a team.”

Plano said the Spartans attended a team camp during the summer, again working on building a team atmosphere.

“They were positive at camp. They had positive energy, hard work and spirit,” she said.

Like most Old Oregon League coaches Plano picks Imbler, the defending 1A state champion, as the favorite.

“Imbler is always strong, and they didn’t lose many people,” Plano said. “But we don’t want to take any teams in our league for granted. We just have to be ready for each one as they come.”