As we wrap up the third week of the 2022 fall season, here are some headliners in the 6A/5A volleyball landscape…
The Lady Celts Rip Into The Central Valley Pecking Order
Hello, yes! I’d like to order an underdog team that no one bet on to cause chaos this year because it’s fun. Um, sure….the McNary Special will do! Outside of Keizer, almost no one bet on McNary being in first place come the third week of the season in their top-heavy conference, but alas here we are. After the Lady Celts knocked off South Salem and Sprague last week, it is clear that the Central Valley Conference has a new pecking order.
The signs were there that a beast was forming over in Keizer, as McNary swept their first three opponents without allowing more than 20 points in a set, with two of those coming against Lakeridge and Tualatin. Finally, the master plan came to fruition last week when they outlasted the Lady Saxons in five sets, picking up a huge statement win. Then, following up with a four-set win over Sprague just cemented their spot on the pillar of the conference. For now, Keizer is Queen of a Salem conference.
Another Year, Another Mid-Willamette Kerfuffle
For those not familiar with the British term kerfuffle, it essentially means chaos. With that context known, there is definitely a kerfuffle forming over in the Mid-Willamette Conference, as the struggle for control has only just begun between Silverton, Crescent Valley, and West Albany. Over the weekend, all three went to tournaments and had respectable showings, meaning that the only way to settle this kerfuffle is to have them battle it out.
Some questioned if West Albany could sustain the momentum they built from their state title run in 2021, and so far they have done just that with a great showing against Sprague and a win over Sheldon. Crescent Valley pursued a title at Southridge over the weekend, coming up short in the championship against Sherwood, but fighting to three sets. Finally, Silverton took care of business and won the tourney title at South Eugene on Saturday. All three look the way they should, which means that a kerfuffle is in order again this year for the Mid-Willamette powers.
With No Leader, Oregon City Takes Control Of The TRL
In the buildup to the season, I had a good feeling that the Lady Pios would take the reins of the Three Rivers League in 2022, given that West Linn had lost their roster core and no one else looked strong enough to fight. However, they have not only taken the reins, but they also made it clear that no one is touching them. Arguably their two toughest opponents, Lake Oswego and West Linn, were both clean swept by Oregon City this week. There’s not much more to say other than that Oregon City is the runaway favorite to win the TRL now, and it doesn’t look like anyone can argue otherwise.
Elite Oregon Girls 