By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Last season was supposed to be a growing year of sorts for the Cascade Volleyball team. The year before, in 2023, they had graduated some big names like Jadyn Daviscourt, Annabelle Peterson, and Bella Oliver from their third-place squad that year.
But even then, with some new faces that filled the void, the Cougars returned to the 4A Final Site last year. It forced the Cougars, who had a junior-heavy class last year and with one senior in Kamryn Sande, to rise up to the occasion to lead the team and to try to succeed with what they had. And it was something that they did in flying colors as Cascade finished sixth in 4A by season’s end.
“It was definitely a change from the seniors we had with Jadyn, Annabell, Bella… all those girls. I felt like me, Emma (Kirschenmann) and Amaya (Miranda) had to step up and try to be mentors to the younger girls,” said Irene Rocha-Ibarra.
“I’m super excited for this season too with our group of seniors and continue to be leaders,” adds Kirschenmann. “It’s been an honor to play for (Head Coach) Cristina (Williams) all these years, I’m super excited for our senior year.”
With nine returners who are either entering their junior or senior season’s Summer League has helped Cascade get themselves back up to speed coming off of their 14-9 season. With try-outs about a month away, the Cougars are hoping to make it five-straight years to the Final Site. The streak started back in 2021 when they won their first-ever State Title.
That streak, the tradition that Willams has built through the past 10-plus years as Head Coach that has led to that streak and the victories that have come with it since. That standard hasn’t changed as they’ve been hard at work at Summer League this month in preparation for the season ahead.
“We’re all family. She doesn’t put up with any drama or anything. I feel like we’re really family involved as teammates and as athletes,” Kirschenmann. “We have like nine returners, and we still have a lot to work on, but we’re excited.”
Communication and getting back on the same page will be the vocal point going into the final week of Summer League and into August points Kirschenmann and Rocha-Ibarra. The Cougars will kick off the season on August 29 at the Cascade Crossover Tournament.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
