By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
TURNER, Ore.– Cascade could be onto something this season if they play their cards right.
Sisters will be strong once more with Grace Vohns, Sweet Home will be tough despite graduating eight Seniors and Philomath. The Warriors will be equally as tough as they’re in the same boat as the Cougars with one senior graduating following this past Spring Season.
The team chemistry is already there, built and forged upon stemming from last season when Cascade went 5-5-1 on the year and finished third in the Oregon West Conference. Carrying over the experience they gathered over the short six-week season.
“It’s really cool to see all the differences that all the girls are making. The communication and the chemistry are just so good with all of us,” said sophomore Jaydn Daviscourt. “Seeing all of those other teams last year really helped my mindset since I haven’t seen them yet and playing against them, now I’m prepared…I’m really excited to see how our team does against those other teams.”
Their ball control has improved, hitting was strong, their blocking and athleticism makes up for their lack of height on the court. Annabelle Peterson, who stands about five-foot-nine-inches, made some impressive blocks during Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Cascade’s Old Gym as the squad wraps up the first week of the season.
“I just need to not be late in my blocks and get my timing right and focus on the eye work,” smiles Peterson, a sophomore. “(Last year) was really intense. A lot of it was mixing up the sets and helping me with my eye work, so I feel like this year will help more.”
Work is still to be done for the Cougs, who are entering jamboree week at Estacada, looking to improve the set the tone one-day at a time. Their first game of the season is August 30 when they host Marist at 6pm.
Photos by Jeremy McDonald
