October here we come!

Conference play is finishing up and district tournaments will start in the next couple of weeks.  Here's a quick overview for what we've been seeing statewide:

For 6A volleyball, we've seen Madison, Skyview and Centennial conistently work to stay at the top.

5A volleyball has also consistently had Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Bonneville at the top.

4A has fluctuated more than the other classifications and has an excellent newcomer to the division in Bear Lake.  The Bears have continuously been at the top with Fruitland, Snake River, McCall-Donnelly and Kimberly.

3A sees Melba at the top, and then Kellogg, Marsing and Malad trailing not too far behind.

2A is another classification with conistentcy, where we see Troy and Butte County remain high in the rankins.

1A has also stayed consistent with the defending champions from Horseshoe Bend high in the rankings, along with many contenders from East Idaho's Rocky Mountain Conference (Rockland, Mackay, Grace Lutheran, etc.) continuing to fight and earn top spots.

We love to see the battles from all conferences and how volleyball is growing in our beautiful state!  We love to see how the game is improving and how many athletes are getting recruited, playing in college, and helping the future of our players by coming back and helping coach.  We want to give shout outs to a few players who are currently out playing in college.  It's so great that we get to watch them compete at a high level!

Alex Acevedo is a Skyview alum who transferred to the University of Minnesota this season.  She has been starting over the Gophers' past several games, and has been contributing nicely in kills and aces.  Alex was a standout for Idaho volleyball and continues to show our youth what determination and hard work provides us.  She's working so hard to play at the Big Ten level and is playing well!

Another Alex from Skyview is currently starting for BYU, replacing her sister in the Cougars' lineup, no less.  Alex Bower is a freshman setter finding her rhythm and confidence on a new stage with her new teammates.  Alex always seems to be a calm leader throughout the storm, who, along with her sister, outside hitter Eden Bower, keep BYU in control.  Alex and Eden are just the latest members of the Bower family to suit up for BYU.  Oldest sister Morgan Bower played for the Cougars from 2019-21, and second oldest sister Whitney Bower just finished her BYU career last season.  The Cougars are 9-3 and are trying to finish in the NCAA's top 20.

Meanwhile, former Rockland standout Taylor Wilson is at Northwest College, a two-year Junior College in Powell, Wyoming.  Taylor is starting at outside hitter and is consistently improving, showing her competitiveness and leading through action.  Taylor wants to win and is willing to do all she can to help her team, always.  She consistently leads the Trappers in hitting percentage and is also a main contributor for serve/receive as well!  Northwest College has started strong, finishing 15-3 in pre-conference play and winning a few matches against some of the NJCAA's best teams, including Salt Lake Community College.

Addie Evans of Pocatello High is just a few hours away at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon.  The Chukars have set a new standard, starting 14-2.  TVCC is continuing to win as a team after posting losing records the past few years.  These freshmen from all over Idaho are making an immediate impact!  Evans is a strong and smart hitter, and is contributing in scoring to the Chukars!  She is working with familiar faces, as her Pocatello High teammate Naomi Shipley joined her at TVCC!  Other freshman from Idaho suiting up for TVCC are Rose Bouse and Josey Cook from Snake River, Katelyn Markley and Ella Leishman from Owyhee, Dominixe Celaya from Gooding, Karly Clark from Cole Valley Christian, and Lexi Barnes from Fruitland.  They are working hard to prove what they can do, and it has been a powerful performance so far!

We love that all of these players and so many more go and learn at college, and then come back and share their knowledge with future generations!  We are so proud of you girls!  Keep working and thank you for setting great examples!  We are excited for October and can't wait to see what all of our Idaho players and teams accomplish!