By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
ST. PAUL, Ore.– The Sheridan Volleyball team are right in the middle of a huge series of games to open the 2026 season.
And the fatigue was already evident following their two Tri-River Conference games Monday night. The contests marked their third and fourth games in three days, with three more games awaiting them over the next 72 hours. It’s a demanding stretch, but one that should ultimately benefit the Spartans as the season progresses as they’re getting those valuable reps in.
“This is pretty nice because we’re actually getting some play that we don’t get to have in practice because I only have eight players. This is really the best practice that we can have, we competed really well against Western Christian,” said Spartan Head Coach Denise Dickey.
Dickey returns to Sheridan where she once served under now-South Salem Head Coach Matt Leichty during the 2000’s that saw the Spartans win the State Title in 2008. When Leichty left for the Saxons after the 2009 season, Dickey took over and led the program from 2010 until 2013 before stops in Perrydale and crosstown Delphian, helping both squads to State Playoff berths in 1A and 2A respectively.
For Dickey, it’s just the little things that she brings into programs as Head Coach that helps them go to that next level. And with a program like Sheridan, that’s close to her heart with her family ties to the school and community, she just wants to do well by the community and do what she can to build it back up.
“Just being very patient and being very disciplined on their defense. Communicating and really the biggest point is having a good attitude and trust…trust is the biggest thing,” said Dickey of building those programs up.
“I wanted to come back and build up some enthusiasm back into our Sports Programs at Sheridan,” Dickey continues. “I want to get that community back and try to get some excitement back in the gym and on the football field. All across the board and I think these kids deserve it, they don’t get a lot of people in the crowds and I want the community back. I want the fun, I want to see this program build, not just Volleyball, but across the board with all of them/”
Sheridan fell to Western Christian with the Pioneers taking the game 25-10, 25-18, 19-25, 25-23 before falling to St. Paul with the Buckaroos taking the game 25-14, 25-9, 25-12.. The Spartans will have their home opener Tuesday when they host Waldport (5:30pm) and Willamina (7pm) before closing out the week at Scio on Thursday.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
