Cascade Volleyball team should be a force to reckoned with this season

In her 16 years at the helm, Cascade Head Volleyball Coach Marni McMahon has fielded some strong teams, including a state champion in 2014. They have placed multiple times at state. The Kodiak program is one of the top in the state 1A ranks, public or private.  

The 2017 team might be the best ever at Cascade. That is saying something. This team is loaded top to bottom. 

“We have a pretty good team coming back. We had a great summer and did some really great things. We’ve got probably the most athletic team we’ve ever had here. We’ve had some fantastic group of girls over the years, really good volleyball players,” McMahon said. “Overall, as far as the whole team, this is probably the most skilled group I’ve ever had.”

The front line is tremendous. Returning senior outside hitter, 6-foot-1 McKenna Ala’ilima Daley has a full ride D1 scholarship to Cal State Fullerton. The other OH, Analia Vasquez, is committed to Central Washington University. 

There is also 6-foot-1 sophomore Megan Evans, who McMahon said is going to do great things. Ashley Ross is the 6-foot middle. 

“Kaitlyn Craig is a middle for us. Super diverse. Natalie Averill is a senior. Savannah Akers is a 6-1 sophomore,” McMahon said. “We have three girls above 6-foot-1 and two girls at 6-foot. It’s the biggest group we’ve ever had.”

As for the setter, McMahon said Abby Brown and Evans will share the job. 

“That was one issue I was concerned about going into this year, losing Sarah Pickel. Abby has really come along. She’s doing things I didn’t think she’d be doing at this point,” McMahon said. “I’m throwing Megan Evans in there, making her a setter. So we’re able to have three hitters up at all times.”

The libero spot is still up for grabs, she said. 

“We’re battling for that right now. We run cauldrons every day. We score everything. The girls are constantly competing in their positions. I’ve two liberos right now, Maddie Schiefelbein and Baelee Pearson. They are really neck and neck,” McMahon said. “They are both pushing each other so much. It’s great to have that competition in the gym. They are looking at the scores and trying to beat each out. I’m really confident with both of their skill sets.”

Daley and Vasquez are the captains this year. On offense, McMahon would put them up against the best in the state. The two did some things this summer that you just don’t see from players at a school the size of Cascade. 

As it stands, there really are not any teams in the league to challenge Cascade. Traditional rival Chelan has some good athletes, and should be competitive. McMahon is looking forward to facing some tough teams on their always challenging non-league schedule. 

“The team I’m looking forward to playing is Ellensburg. They’re are going to give us a fight. The Sun Dome Tournament. I want to go in there with the intention to win that thing. We’re going to see some quality 4A schools, but hope we come out on top.” she said. 

Last season, Cascade scored some huge wins over some tough teams, finishing 19-2. Going into the state tournament, it seemed they were the team to beat, but ended up with a disappointing sixth place finish. 

McMahon said last year is a motivation for her team. 

“Last year is motivation for them. Unfortunately, we lost Megan right before state, which was a big hit. That was hard to overcome. The team at state did the best they could,” McMahon said. “Going back with the intention of bringing back the big trophy. These girls are super hungry. They are hungry for that trophy because they did not like that finish last year. They did not like coming home with sixth place trophy. That’s not us.”

Sadly, for fans of Kodiak volleyball, McMahon is stepping down at season’s end to spend more time with her children. 

“I’ve been very blessed to work with a lot of great teams and coaches and parents. I’ve have two kids. I spend a lot of time with other people’s children, which I love. But my daughter is keeping me busy right now. I’m traveling with her teams. My son coming up,” McMahon said. “To be honest, I want to be a mom and sit in the stands and not coach for a little bit.”

McMahon said she is confident the program will be kept up high. She’s going to still be around, teaching, working for GM2, coaching camps around the country. Sure, it is tough to step away. 

“It’s taken a village to build this. Those coaches have a hand in it. All the players from the past have a hand in it. It’s going to be tough to walk away. It will be good for me and good for my daughter, to allow her to be coached by someone else. I’m sure I’ll be back in the gym, but I’m ready to spend some time with my kids for awhile,” McMahon said. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.