Volleyball preview: The top teams, players to watch in the 6A, 5A SIC
The state volleyball tournament returns to the Treasure Valley in 2025 for the Gem State’s two largest classifications.
Competition runs Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, with the 6A tournament at Capital and the 5A tournament at Timberline.
Nineteen Boise-area teams will vie for the right to play in front of hometown fans, and the Idaho Statesman reached out to every coach to help us scout the area’s top teams, challengers and players.
6A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
1. SKYVIEW
Last season: 27-8-0, 11-1 6A SIC
Coach: Kevin Murphy, 23rd season
Players to watch: Bell Beus, sr., OH; Lizzy Bower, jr., L; Jill Deatherage, jr., M
Outlook: Not many teams have the pedigree of the Hawks, who have won 14 straight district championships, six state titles and earned a state runner-up finish last fall. Skyview returns 6A All-Idaho and Idaho Gatorade player of the year Beus, a Kentucky signee, who amassed 595 kills and 335 digs with a hitting percentage of .348. Bower has signed with Louisville after collecting 455 digs and 58 aces. Deatherage (222 kills, 71 blocks) will play at the next level for Grand Canyon. The experience at the net should lessen the burden for the Hawks’ new setter. “Our goal is to be the best team we can be by October,” Murphy said. “We partly hope to accomplish that by playing a very challenging schedule.”
2. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Last season: 26-12-0, 8-4 6A SIC
Coach: Judyann Balukoff, fourth season
Players to watch: Chloe Hansen, sr., OH; London Armstrong, sr., RS; Kate Morrison, jr., S; Bella Haener, jr., M
Outlook: The Grizzlies are poised for another strong season after qualifying for the state tournament in 2024. Six starters are back, including 6A All-Idaho honorable mention picks Hansen (hit .245, 55 aces) and Armstrong (224 kills, 50 blocks). Both are four-year starters who have committed to Utah Valley. Morrison, a University of Alabama at Birmingham beach volleyball commit, returns after racking up 580 assists and 65 aces last season, and Haener hit .210 with 29 blocks. “Our biggest strength comes from the whole of our parts,” Balukoff said. “We have a really balanced offense that has depth in all attacking positions.”
3. OWYHEE
Last season: 28-6-0, 12-0 6A SIC
Coach: Michelle Dodds, fifth season
Players to watch: Mary Irwin, sr., S; Reese Meier, jr., RS; Logan Pease, sr., M; Bella Hordemann, so., L
Outlook: The Storm won the 6A SIC regular-season title, took second at the district tournament and placed third at state. But they’ll have a lot of holes to fill in 2025, with just three starters returning. Meier was voted to the 6A All-Idaho first team last season and is committed to Ole Miss. Irwin is back to run the offense, Pease brings size and strength to the middle, and Hordemann will be Owyhee’s defensive backbone. Dodds cites serving and ball control as team strengths as the Storm look to build depth. “Our key players had an incredible offseason, growing mentally, physically and in their skill set,” Dodds said.
4. EAGLE
Last season: 22-8-0, 9-3 6A SIC
Coach: Ashley Graham, second season
Players to watch: Madison Jones, sr., M; Ellie McManigal, sr., L; Kiley Newberry, so., M
Outlook: The Mustangs graduated nine seniors from last year’s state-qualifying team, but they have three starters back to lead the charge in 2025. Jones and McManigal were each 6A SIC honorable-mention picks. Jones (signed with the University of St. Thomas) contributed 111 kills, 73 aces, 67 blocks and 63 digs last season. McManigal, a Colorado State softball commit, racked up 387 digs, and Newberry (52 kills, 39 blocks) begins her first full season on varsity after being brought up from JV midway through the 2024 season. Graham says the team has focused on serve-receive in the offseason, which will help build the foundation of the offense.
5. TIMBERLINE
Last season: 19-13-0, 6-6 6A SIC
Coach: Carol Klein, 11th season
Players to watch: McKenna Satterfield, jr., S; Hazel Goetz, sr., OH; Wren Wallace, sr., L; Lily Merservier, jr., OH
Outlook: San Jose State commit Satterfield begins her second season as the Wolves’ starting setter. Satterfield set a school record for single-season assists and was voted to the 6A SIC all-conference second team in 2024. Goetz and Merservier (6A SIC honorable mention) provide power at the net, while Wallace transitions from outside hitter to libero this season. “We will be a more well-rounded team with the ability to attack from every position,” Klein said.
6. BOISE
Last season: 18-18-0, 6-6 6A SIC
Coach: Kate Newbery, fourth season
Players to watch: Kennedy Dunn, sr., OH; Kya Hueth, sr., OH; Kamryn Newbery, so., S; Katelyn Huck, sr., L/DS
Outlook: The Brave return a core group of 10 lettermen from last season, including five starters. Dunn is the only starter back to earn 6A SIC all-conference recognition, landing an honorable-mention nod and ranking second on the team in kills per set. Hueth spent the past two seasons as a middle blocker but will move to the outside. Boise’s offense will once again be directed by Kamryn Newbery, who led the Brave in digs a year ago and possesses a strong serve. Huck returns as the backbone of Boise’s defense. “I think our team has improved in our program culture,” Kate Newbery said. “We are building from last year and working hard on our serve-receive and defensive reading.”
7. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Last season: 18-17-1, 4-8 6A SIC
Coach: Ryan Hofmann, sixth season
Players to watch: Racquel Gauna, sr., OH; Annde Cegnar, jr., M; Aubrey Ulrich, sr., RS
Outlook: Four starters are back for the Mavericks, led by four-year starter and Corbin commit Gauna. She tallied 207 kills, 204 digs, 35 aces and 27 blocks last season to pick up 6A SIC honorable-mention recognition for the second year in a row. Cegnar gives the Mavericks size in the middle at 6-foot-1, and Hofmann expects Ulrich (NNU commit) to make strides after totaling 76 kills and 18 blocks last season. Hofmann says Mountain View hopes to capitalize on its speed and athleticism. “Our team unity is way more improved than the past couple of years,” Hofmann said.
8. CAPITAL
Last season: 18-12-1, 5-7 6A SIC
Coach: Katie Simis, sixth season
Players to watch: Eden Francis, sr., M; McKenna Chavez, sr., L; Jaelle Stafford, sr., M; Elayna Jolly, jr., S
Outlook: The Eagles return seven players with starting experience from last season. Francis (120 kills, 59 blocks), Jolly (school record 61 aces) and Chavez (303 digs, 137 kills) each earned 6A SIC all-conference honorable-mention recognition a year ago. Stafford added 92 kills and 53 blocks. Defense will be Capital’s strength again this season, but Simis says she wants her team to focus on finishing points. “Our goals are to go further this season than ever before,” Simis said. “We have been improving every year, and we expect even more this season.”
9. MERIDIAN
Last season: 6-15-0, 3-9 6A SIC
Coach: Hailee Ackerman, sixth season
Outlook: The Warriors did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
10. BORAH
Last season: 4-13-4, 2-10 6A SIC
Coach: Roseanne Brown, fourth season
Players to watch: Gena Fink, sr., OH; Emma McKinney, sr., S; Alina Bout, sr., L; Sophie Gunther, sr., RS
Outlook: The Lions continue to build toward their first district tournament berth since 2019 in their fourth season under Brown. Five starters are back, including Fink, a Puget Sound University commit who is a two-time 6A SIC honorable-mention pick after contributing 155 kills, 86 digs and 23 aces last season. McKinney will be a three-year starter at setter, totaling 208 assists and 30 aces last season. Bout (96 digs) and Gunther (23 solo blocks) add strength to Borah’s defense. “The team chemistry this year is phenomenal,” Brown said. “They work well together and have united very quickly.”
11. CENTENNIAL
Last season: 31-6-1, 10-2 6A SIC
Coach: Shae Amdor, first season
Players to watch: Kennedy Harris, jr., M; Kali Ogden, jr., OH; Meghan Lawless, so., S
Outlook: It’s a new era for the Patriots under Amdor. They must replace eight graduated seniors who helped the Patriots to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament. Harris is the only returning starter, racking up 100-plus kills and 57 blocks last season. Ogden moves up to varsity after leading the JV team in kills last season, and Lawless begins her first season as Centennial’s starting setter. “We will be young with an opportunity to build around a core group of sophomores and freshmen for the years to come,” Amdor said.
12. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 6-15-3, 2-10 6A SIC
Coach: Tracy Bullock, third season
Players to watch: Lanaea Nebeker, sr., OH; Cora Taylor, sr., M/OH; Kaitlyn Parker, sr., M; Clara Gurney, so., L
Outlook: The Warhawks will have a new setter this season, but whomever they choose will have experienced hitters to rely on with the return of four starters. Nebeker (96 kills) — a 6A SIC all-conference honorable-mention pick — Taylor (68 kills, 22 blocks) and Parker (64 kills, 17 blocks) are all returning. Gurney adds presence to the defense after collecting 184 digs and 12 aces last season. “I think the girls are more confident playing up in 6A and are working hard to try to compete this year,” Bullock said.
13. KUNA
Last season: 3-23-3, 0-12 6A SIC
Coach: Colton Reinholtz, first season
Players to watch: Afton McRae, sr., Pin; Caitlyn Morris, sr., Pin; Sophie Thorne, sr., S; Joslyn Beers, jr., DS/L
Outlook: The Kavemen welcome a new head coach after going winless in the 6A SIC last season. Reinholtz will have eight players back with starting experience, led by 6A SIC honorable-mention honoree McRae, a Northwest University commit who led the team in kills and hitting efficiency last season. Morris added nearly 100 kills a year ago, and Thorne led the team in assists and ranked second in service aces. “I think we are bringing a slightly different brand of volleyball to Kuna and with that comes our three core values of enjoy, improve, compete — in that order,” Reinholtz said.
5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
1. MIDDLETON
Last season: 28-9-1, 9-1 5A SIC
Coach: James Berston, second season
Players to watch: Zoey Blackwell, sr., OH; Nola Bondarczuk, sr., OH/M; Berkley Rogers, so., M; Margot Johanson, sr., S
Outlook: The Vikings are the favorites for the second year in a row, earning five of a possible six first-place votes in the Statesman’s preseason coaches’ poll. Middleton is coming off a state tournament appearance, but must replace 5A SIC co-player of the year Sydney Short, their starting setter. That responsibility will fall on Johanson, Short’s backup last season. However, seven players are back with starting experience, led by 5A SIC first-teamers Blackwell and Bondarczuk. “Our strength is in our offense this year,” Berston said. “A change from last year, but we are hopeful that more offensive weapons will carry us further than last year.”
2. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 10-19-1, 5-5 5A SIC
Coach: Aaron Peters, second season
Players to watch: Madi Hudspeth, jr., OH/RS; Kaitlyn Neil, jr., S; Ali Hansen, sr., M; Caroline Monohan, sr., L
Outlook: The Knights graduated five seniors from last year’s team, but can lean on the experience of three returning starters. Hansen (5A SIC second team) and Neil (honorable mention) contributed 3.4 kills per match and 180 assists, respectively, last season. Hudspeth is expected to play a larger role after averaging 4.0 kills per match, and Monohan will move from a defensive specialist to the Knights’ starting libero. “We’ve been able to spend more time together in the offseason, and we’re looking forward to that translating to the season,” Peters said.
3. COLUMBIA
Last season: 19-9-1, 9-1 5A SIC
Coach: Cathy Curtis, 13th season
Players to watch: Cami Salinas, jr., OH; Jessi Meaden, sr., DS/L; Jenna Cox, so., OH; Alera Gibson, so., M
Outlook: The Wildcats played in their fourth straight district championship game last season, hoisting the championship trophy to earn a state tournament spot. But with only one starter back from that team, Columbia will need new faces to step up in 2025. Curtis, the reigning 5A SIC Coach of the Year, will lean on Salinas as a leader on the court. She earned 5A SIC all-conference second-team recognition after totaling 131 kills, 125 digs and 17 aces last season. Meaden (84 digs, 9 aces), Cox (47 kills, 11 aces) and Gibson (29 kills, 25 blocks) will each take on bigger roles. “We are shorter than in the past and are committed to not letting the ball touch the ground without our best effort,” Curtis said.
4. VALLIVUE
Last season: 4-23-2, 2-8 5A SIC
Coach: Maddie Hewitt, first season
Players to watch: Daniela Alfonso, sr., OH/DS; Brennan Fluckiger, jr., M; Avery Daniel, so., S/RS
Outlook: A year removed from their last state tournament appearance, the Falcons begin the 2025 season with a new coach. Hewitt will have six players with starting experience to build from, including 5A SIC all-conference first-teamer Fluckiger. Alfonso picked up honorable mention recognition and will be among Vallivue’s top hitters and defenders this season. Daniel moves into a starting setting role after playing on JV last season. “I believe our team will be particularly strong in defensive cohesion and on-court communication,” Hewitt said. “Over the offseason, we’ve put a major focus on building chemistry among our defenders and improving our ability to read each other’s movements and intentions.”
5. NAMPA
Last season: 16-12-2, 5-5 5A SIC
Coach: Samuel Yun, first season
Players to watch: Mia Radford, sr., S/RS; Aylah Garman, jr., OH; Hailee Karpowitz, sr., M; Laci Karpowitz, jr., OH
Outlook: The Bulldogs begin a new era under Yun, but the cupboards aren’t bare. Four starters return, headlined by Radford, who earned 5A SIC all-conference honorable mention recognition a year ago. Garman, Hailee Karpowitz and Laci Karpowitz will provide strength and experience at the net. Yun cites serving, attacking ability and height as team strengths. “We have great new talent from juniors to freshman,” Yun said.
6. CALDWELL
Last season: 2-21-0, 0-10 5A SIC
Coach: Masie Hancock, first season
Players to watch: Bristol Runnels, jr., L/S; June Hokom, jr., M; Kloe Fogle, so., OH/DS; Kylie Green, so., RS/S
Outlook: The Cougars took their lumps in 2024, going winless in league play and finishing with just two victories overall. A new coach takes the helm looking to help revitalize the program, and Hancock will have four returning starters to build from. Runnels transitioned from setter to libero last season, where she has taken on a leadership role in the back row. Hokom and Fogle will be Caldwell’s top returning hitters, and Green will set and hit when in the front row. “Our primary expectation is that every player commits to continuous improvement, both individually and as a team,” Hancock said. “We want to build strong fundamentals, particularly in passing, setting, and communication, to create a cohesive and competitive unit.”
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM.
