By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  West Salem junior Lauryn Johnson has been putting in the work this offseason with the North Pacific Juniors Volleyball Club, going to the Arizona State University Prospect Camp recently and adjusting to a new position in Outside Hitter from Middle Blocker.

The adjustment hasn’t been too bad points Johnson, but it’s still a work in progress.

“I think when it comes to passing it’s been hard, but overall it hasn’t been too difficult,” Johnson said.  

Thursday saw her and her West Salem High School teammates were at the Capital Fieldhouse, formerly The Hoop, competing and putting in work in preparation for the season to come.  

For Johnson, she gotten some extra work in at the Prospect Camp with the Sun Devils, a big Camp as the incoming junior hopes to continue and develop into the role.  A cool experience for sure she points as the Titans played the 4A State Champions in Cascade, Sprague and 1A State Runner-Up St. Paul.

“It was good to see the different kinds of coaching styles out there with different players from all over the country, it was pretty cool,” Johnson said.

This offseason has been important for Johnson, the lone returning starter from West Salem’s 18-7 team that reached the second round of the 6A Playoffs.  Ashelyn Stanley, who saw spot time as a freshman this past Fall, was out playing as well with the Titans looking to fill the voids left by 11 seniors and with a new Head Coach in Scott Coons.  Coons is entering his first-year at West Salem after coaching at McKay.

“It’ll be pretty important because we’ve lost a lot of leaders from last year and so for someone to step up I think it’s going to be a big roll for our team.” Johnson said. “It’s been pretty important, we’re seeing a lot of new faces, especially with all the incoming freshman coming in.  But I think it’s looking pretty good.”

The Titans return to the Capital Fieldhouse Friday for more games before going into Bracket play Saturday. West Salem opens up the season August 25 with a jamboree at South Salem before heading to play St. Mary’s Academy on August 27 at Wilsonville High School.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald