Brooke Howland, a Stanfield High School senior, is a two-sport athlete who competes in volleyball and softball.

STANFIELD — It’s never easy being the new kid in school, but Brooke Howland made the most of her move from Pilot Rock to Stanfield last fall.

“Sisay (Hurty) was one of the first people I met in Stanfield,” Howland said of the school’s top cross-country runner. “He just came up and started talking to me.”

Howland and her sister, Brielle, who graduated in the spring, are standout students and athletes. They said they needed a change if they were to meet their goals.

“We wanted something different,” Howland said. “We needed better opportunities school-wise. We had to get out of there.”

Stanfield volleyball coach Blaine Ganvoa was happy to see the Howland sisters on his side of the net.

“It was nice to have her and her sister on the court,” Ganvoa said. “Good positive attitudes and very coachable.”

Volleyball has always been a safe haven for Howland, and the 5-foot-8 senior outside hitter fit right in with the Tigers, who had four seniors and a ton of young talent.

“I played club volleyball my freshman and sophomore years, so it was similar to that,” Howland said of integrating herself into the team. “Once we started, we had a close bond. I have never had that with a team before. Winning is fun, and it all came together.”

The hardest part of the move was playing against her former teammates. Pilot Rock and Stanfield both play in the Blue Mountain Conference.

“I had played with them my whole life,” Howland said. “Playing against them was weird.”

Howland played a big part in helping the Tigers reach the state tournament for the first time since 1990. Stanfield lost to Vernonia in the first round of state and finished the season 19-9.

“It took us a while to see how great we were in the end,” Howland said. “We realized we could do it. It was cool to see the community come out and support us the whole way, especially in the end.”

The season was special for Ganvoa, who is going into his third year as head coach.

“My goal is to have them enjoy the game and compete as hard as they can,” Ganvoa said. “(State) was the icing on the cake.”

Howland was named to the BMC second team and the East Oregonian second team. Ganvoa is looking for more from her this season. Volleyball is scheduled to begin the end of February.

“She has that look in her eye,” Ganvoa said. “I enjoy having her in the program. That makes me want to coach harder and better for her and the other seniors their last year.”

With COVID-19 canceling club volleyball over the summer, Howland is ready to get back on the court.

“I wasn’t able to play club so I’m even more behind,” she said. “I want to play now.”

Howland also is a standout softball player, and was looking forward to playing for Echo/Stanfield coach Janice Scott. Scott, who also coached volleyball at Echo, has since left the school.

“She coached club volleyball against us,” said Howland, who has been playing softball since she was in grade school. “I liked how she coached and I wanted her to coach me. I’m sad she’s gone.”

A catcher and outfielder, Howland still is waiting to see who will coach the team. Echo has not yet hired a new coach.

Until volleyball rolls around, Howland is at home mastering distance learning. With summer classes, she has pretty much fulfilled her senior credits. She is putting her energy toward picking up college credits.

College volleyball interests Howland, but like most sports, campus visits were put on hold during the spring and summer. She would like to go into nursing and work with kids.

Favorite sport to play and why?

Volleyball. I grew up playing it, and my mom (Elainna) was a coach in Pilot Rock when I was born. I grew up around it.

Favorite sport to watch and why?

Volleyball. I like to watch YouTube videos of the game.

Favorite activity when not playing sports?

I like spending time in the mountains, and hunting deer and elk. I got my first elk when I was 14.

What is your favorite moment in high school athletics so far?

When we went to the beach for team bonding before our state (volleyball) match with Vernonia.

A fun fact about you that few people know?

I used to show sheep for 4-H. We used to name our sheep after country singers.