By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
AMITY, Ore.– Since her graduation from Amity High School in 2022, Brooke Lopez has been slowly working her way up the coaching ranks. First, as a Junior Varsity coach for her alma mater before taking over the head coaching job from Amanda Grove entering this season.
The Warrior-grad, who spent a year playing collegiately at West Valley College in Saratoga, California in 2022 out of High School, calls this moment surreal going into her first jamboree and official game as Head Volleyball Coach later this week.
“It’s really surreal. I’m really grateful for Amanda for preparing me for the way she did. The past two years she just taught me everything on what it means to be a Head Coach, how to prepare these girls for life and Volleyball,” Lopez said “It doesn’t feel real most days.”
The squad had a unique balance last season with five seniors and four freshmen on their varsity team, and despite the unique balance, the Warriors did well. Going 14-11 overall and reaching the second round of the 3A Playoffs before falling to Dayton in straight sets. For those freshmen who are now sophomores, they got to see what it takes to be successful at the Varsity level and went through the pressure of those playoff games to prepare them for this year.
And Lopez is already seeing the leadership coming out of those sophomores entering this season.
“It’s really awesome to see them stepping up and helping out with what they learned from the seniors from last year and just bringing everyone in and just showing leadership on the court,” said Lopez.
Ashlynn Nisly, Olivia Watcherson, Leah Lieuallen, and Jemma Criswell were those freshmen last year who returned this year. Nisly and Watcherson are expected to step up big as setters while continuing to play out of their Middle Blocker and Outside Hitter positions respectively in what Lopez is expected to be a 6-2 system this Fall.
“It’s going to be different, I did it during Summer League, so me and Liv are kind of used to it by now. It’s definitely an adjustment, but it’ll be fun trying new stuff,” said Nisly of setting.
“We had some really good leaders last year that showed us the way and how to do it, it’ll help us this year,” Nisly adds on the sophomore’s stepping up as leaders this Fall.
Amity heads to Mill City to take part in the Santiam jamboree before kicking off the season Saturday against Sisters.
