The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Central Oregon Volleyball Club's 18 Nationals team has qualified to play in the prestigious USAV National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland.

The team earned a bid at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane, Washington placing first in the American Division made up of 32 teams located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Texas, Utah, and more.

COVC's 18s Nationals team consists of 13 Central Oregon High School volleyball players, and has some of the top state high school players joining forces to be one of the top teams on the club circuit.

The team is currently ranked No. 1 in the Columbia Empire Volleyball Associations region.

This team has competed in the most competitive tournaments in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Nevada.

The 18s roster includes:

Gracie Vohs, Sisters High School - Oregon 3A State Player of the Year, 3A Conference Player of the Year, First-Team All-League, and First-Team All-State,

State Championship player of the match, led her team to the state championship this school season, and she also received an athletic scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 volleyball at St. Mary's in California.

Bailey Robertson, Sisters High School - 3A First-Team All-League, First-Team All-State.

Robertson is described as a huge impact player who led the Outlaws to the 3A High School State Championship this season.

She has accepted an athletic scholarship to play at Vanguard University in California this fall.

Katie Buller, Sisters High School - 3A State High School Champion this season.

Buller has accepted an athletic scholarship to Monterey Peninsula College for volleyball and track.

"I am very proud of this group of young ladies," said COVC Club Director Heidi Wood who has coached and developed many of these athletes over the years.

"Many of these athletes have grown up through our program with the dream of getting a bid to the USAV Nationals. We knew this was a special group of hard-working athletes, and they had this on their list of goals this season.

For many of our seniors this had been long in the making, and finally this season they did it, and we are so proud of them."

Head Coach Rylee Troutman, who is a well-decorated former COVC player who returned to coach after a successful collegiate career, said, "This team has pushed hard through practices and tournaments, they are disciplined and coachable.

They have worked hard for this opportunity, and it is an honor to coach them."

Troutman is assisted by Coach Chase Bales and Coach Gaby Gryko.

The 2024 USAV Girls 18s Junior Nationals Championship runs April 26-28 in Baltimore.