Document text
Bittle leads Crater windfall By Kris Henry Updated: Nov 03, 2022 06:11 PM A A Five Comets net first-team honors, with Bittle named MWL player of the year Standing 6-foot-2, Kendra Bittle has a way of being noticed when she steps out onto the volleyball court. When the ball comes her way, there’s absolutely no doubt the Crater High senior gets the attention of everyone in the gymnasium. Blending power and precision, Bittle played a key role in the Comets (19-4) finishing unbeaten in the Midwestern League with straight-set wins in every encounter, and the league coaches most definitely recognized that during recent all-conference voting. Bittle was one of five Crater players to receive first-team honors and named MWL player of the year after averaging 13.8 kills, 6.4 digs and 2.3 aces with a .343 hitting percentage. She recently committed to play collegiately at Corban University in Salem, with older brother Nate not too far down the road already playing basketball at the University of Oregon. Crater senior Kate Stidham also earned first-team honors and was recognized as the MWL’s setter of the year after averaging 31.1 assists, 6.5 digs, 2.5 aces and 1.8 kills. Joslyhn Pope, a junior, was named the league’s libero of the year with 8.8 digs per match to go with steady serve-receive contributions, while Leaf Jensen was named MWL coach of the year after returning to the fold and guiding the Comets back to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time in four years. Senior outside hitter Madison Kocina and sophomore middle blocker Alexa Gugliotta were also recognized for their standout efforts with first-team acclaim. The 6-1 Kocina has teamed with Bittle to create a dynamic hitting force by averaging 9.4 kills, 8.6 digs, 1.5 aces and 1.2 blocks per outing at a .298 hitting clip. Gugliotta, at 5-11, has helped round out the attack with 6.1 kills and 1.6 blocks per match with a .418 hitting percentage. Third-seeded Crater opens state tournament play against No. 6 La Salle Prep at 3:15 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals at Forest Grove, boasting high hopes after playing into a fourth set only one time this season. In the Comets’ last trip to state, in a previous stint under Jensen, they placed sixth. “We have the potential, we have the drive, we have the focus and we are peaking at the right time,” Jensen said Saturday after securing another trip to the final site. “We are expecting big things next week.” Eagle Point sophomore Addi Holcomb was the only other Southern Oregon player to receive first-team recognition. The 5-9 outside hitter averaged 13.2 kills, 12.0 digs and 3.2 aces to lead the Eagles to more wins this season (10) than the past four seasons combined. All-MWL Volleyball PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kendra Bittle, Crater. SETTER OF THE YEAR: Kate Stidham, Crater. LIBERO OF THE YEAR: Joslyhn Pope, Crater. COACH OF THE YEAR: Leaf Jensen, Crater. First Team Kendra Bittle, OH, Crater; Alexa Gugliotta, MB, Crater; Madison Kocina, OH, Crater; Joslyhn Pope, L, Crater; Kate Stidham, S, Crater; Addi Holcomb, OH, Eagle Point; Nyah Mitchell, OH, North Eugene; Bayleigh Wodke, OH, Thurston. Second Team Sadie Scott, OH/MB, Churchill; Danica Huntoon, Opp, Crater; Abby Trautman, MB, Eagle Point; Cameron Pierce, S, North Eugene; Olivia Froehlich, OH, North Eugene; Sarah Speasl, L, North Eugene; Bailey Tovey, MB, Thurston; Scout Martin, MB, Thurston. Honorable Mention Maile Cooper, L, Ashland; Amelia Gansen, S, Churchill; Emma Kness, OH, Eagle Point; Makynlee Schauffler, S, Eagle Point; Marlee Hall, MB, North Eugene; Danaeja Romero, RS/S, Springfield; Kylie Rankins, L, Springfield; Emily Buller, S, Thurston. Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] or via Twitter @Kris_Henry Crater's Kendra Bittle makes a hit for a point earlier this season against Eagle Point. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune]