By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SILVERTON, Ore.–  Rowan Reilly knows a thing or two about being a leader on a team, having older sisters in Savannah and Truitt who have shown her the way through the years, as she was named one of two Silverton captains on the Volleyball team this season.  Taking to heart what it means to be a leader for her team.

“I think they helped me a lot in building me as a person and as a player.  Learning not to make excuses and to…if you’re not doing well, staying out of your head and just playing for your team and to play for each other.  I felt like they taught me that a lot through playing soccer, basketball and all the other sports,” Reilly said.

With Lilly Horner graduated, a void had to be filled at Libero.  That is where Gracelyn Jensen stepped in.  One of two liberos on the team with Farrah Keith, having seen Horner at work last season has really helped prepare the fresh faces at the position going into this Fall.

“Watching (Horner) play.  I saw how she was really good and really competitive and watching her I just wanted to be just like her and good to the team,” Jensen said.  “I’ve been waiting and I’ve been wanting this for a while now so I’m just happy to have made it up to Varsity and I’m just ready.  I’m ready to show what I have.”

Silverton went 16-6 last season and reached the 5A State Quarterfinals before falling to Crescent Valley in four sets.  But the squad picked up where they left off going into this season sitting 8-1 on the season.  Reilly points towards communication as a big room for improvement as they prepare for South Albany on Thursday, but their team chemistry is already hitting its stride nine games into the young season.

“Team chemistry and I would say too skill,” Reilly starts.  “This year we all really like each other, so I feel like that adds to it and having skill, having players that can put the ball down helps it a lot and can get good digs and stuff is really important.”

“Every player on our team is really talented individually and we all know we want it and understand each other’s wants and we’re ready to work together to do it,” adds Jensen.

The Foxes also return University of Washington-commit Alexis Haury, who’s the team’s other captain along with Olivia Rosborough, Taylar Westfall, Lindsey Schmidt, Madison Bailey and Laryssa Stevens who all were part of the Silverton Varsity program last season.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald