By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ
PENDLETON — Pendleton had four players named to the Greater Oregon League first team for volleyball, including player of the year Avery Brown, a junior middle blocker.
The honors, voted on by the league coaches, also saw three La Grande players land on the first team.
Pendleton’s Jodi Primus was named coach of the year along with Ontario’s Peter Hamilton.
The Bucks, who won the GOL title for the second year in a row, finished the season with a 6-0 record in league play and 19-7 overall. They advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals, but went 0-2 at the tournament.
Also named to the first team for Pendleton were setter Josie Jenness, sophomore libero Finley Evans and senior outside hitter Nicole Somnis.
Brown finished the season with 247 kills, 108 blocks, 70 digs and 29 service aces.
“Avery is a fierce competitor who pushes herself and her teammates and proved to be tough for our opponents to defend this season,” Primus said.
Somnis also added power at the net with 215 kills, 72 digs, 27 blocks and 43 aces.
“Nicole came to practice every day ready to work hard, and was determined to make this a great season,” Primus said. “She hit the ball so hard it was intimidating.”
Jenness, the 2023 GOL player of the year, ran the offense on the floor. She handed out 704 assists, had 71 kills, 27 blocks, 139 digs and 49 aces.
“Josie led our offense with hard work and hustle,” Primus said. “Having such a good athlete as your setter, who touches the ball more than anyone else, was a huge asset for our team.”
Evans, who also was a first-team pick last year, had 401 digs for the Bucks, along with 27 aces, and she serve received at 1.9/3.
“Finley is a quick, enthusiastic competitor who loves the challenge of libero,” Primus said. “She passed well and kept so many balls alive, which frustrated other teams and helped provide opportunities for our strong offense to shine.”
La Grande’s first-team players are senior outside hitter Aubrey Bisenius, senior outside hitter Kayle Collman and senior libero Rilley Robinson. Baker senior libero Lilly Wilson and senior middle blocker/outside hitter Sydney Penning round out the first team.
Second-team honors for the Bucks went to junior middle blocker Sophie Nelson, senior outside hitter Lexie Willman and senior defensive specialist/outside hitter Nessa Neveau.
