Fresh off a historic 2023 campaign with a 23-1 record and the program’s best finish at the state tournament in three decades, it’s no surprise the La Center High volleyball team’s expectations for 2024 remain high.
“Every year, our goal is to get a little bit better than we did the last year,” said senior Aristyn Wiseman. “… We have a high expectation of just how we want to end the season.”
Wiseman is one of four seniors who’ve been on La Center’s varsity roster their entire high school careers. Already, the senior class is one of La Center’s most experienced in program history when it comes to postseason success. The Wildcats have earned 1A state trophies the past two seasons — the school’s second-best state run. From 1993-’95, La Center had three straight Class A state trophies, including winning the state title in 1994.
Through three matches in 2024, including Thursday’s three-set sweep of Columbia-White Salmon, 25-7, 25-8, 25-14, La Center has displayed their adaptability and flexibility through lineup changes.
Two of La Center’s five seniors — reigning Trico League MVP Billie Ross (injury) and last year’s league defensive MVP Mia Achziger (illness) have yet to take the court. Both are expected to return soon, but head coach Cymany O’Brien said their absence has highlighted the Wildcats’ depth and versatility, and allows her to shuffle players into new positions without missing a beat on the court.
Case in point is Wiseman. Early on, she transitioned from outside to middle in Ross’ absence. Thursday, Wiseman posted a game-high five blocks, and added two kills.
Wiseman said she and others happily take on role acceptance.
“The most important thing right now is the team and the team aspect,” she said. “I want to do what’s best for the team. We’re all stepping into these new roles … We’re having fun with it because we play best when we have fun.”
The Wildcats had plenty of fun Thursday, controlling the first two sets from start to finish. In the third, after the Bruins raced out to leads of 5-2 and 7-5, La Center had big plays from Esther Langeliers (five kills, two digs), Whitney Martell (four kills, three blocks), and Paige Sherry (seven kills, seven digs). Setters Quinn Erickson and Bailey Espana combined for 28 assists.
Saturday, the Wildcats take a break from Trico action to face a pair of 2B programs in Chelan — Manson and Brewster — in a rare, one-day, two-match day. Wiseman and fellow senior Esther Langeliers are embracing the opportunity to play the 2023 state champions of Class 2B, which again is a title contender for 2024.
Langeliers said for the Wildcats to get to where they want to be for what they hope is another deep postseason run, it begins with the simplest of things, amid the adaptability: teamwork and positivity.
“Even though we’ve had to make these adjustments,” she said, “we’ve adjusted really well.”
