By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– As a sophomore last season, Sprague’s Brooke Friesen made a name for herself.
In a stacked league with talent, Friesen won Central Valley Conference Player of the Year honors to go with 6A First Team All-State Selections as Friesen helped the Olympians to a fourth-place finish at State in 2024.
“It’s crazy. It was super incredible, I was super grateful to be named that. It’s just been showing the work I’ve been putting in. It’s been super exciting,” said Friesen. “Putting the work in every single day and getting in the gym is super fun. It’s showing off, obviously.”
As a sophomore, Friesen had 370 kills on the year, but she was also setting. Sprague ran a 6-2 system, meaning that they had two setters on the court with Friesen on one end and Evie Morrisette on the other. With Morrisette graduated this past June, Friesen will be looking to fill those big shoes left by Morrisette.
“Evie has done a great job the last four years, we’re definitely going to miss her, but she set the court really high, played very well, and pushed the tempo really fast. It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to do my best,” smiles Friesen.
And that’s where the Summer League came in. Thursday was the last day of Summer League before teams entered their August schedules with camps and try-outs the second half of the month going into the first slate of games.
And despite losing some big names like Morrisette, Amari Young, and Charlotte Ponier, they do return a solid core. Friesen returns, as is Khloe Livingston and Anna Morley from the fourth-place squad from last season. Joining them is Emma Brewer, who’s transferring in from Salem Academy off the heels of a 2A State Championship with the Crusaders in 2025 with Sprague looking to bridge last year’s success into this year.
“It’s been super important. Getting with new players and playing and seeing how each other plays, communicating is super important. Just filling everybody’s vibes on how we’re going to play together is super important,” said Friesen. “Summer is super important to do that. Try new things and work hard and have fun.”
Sprague opens the season on September 2 on the road at Sheldon.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
