Condon Blue Devils pin volleyball hopes on young team
Published 8:40 am Friday, September 6, 2002
CONDON – After a sixth-place finish in the class 1A volleyball championships last season, the Condon Blue Devils enter the season with a new batch of talent.
Condon lost five players from last year’s unit, including some of their powerful players like K’Lynn Kennedy, Tessa Nicholson and Jennifer Snyder. The Blue Devils have just two seniors on the roster.
Yet, first-year head coach Shandie Marker is positive her team can find a new identity and be competitive in the Big Sky conference.
“I have high expectations and I think we will see solid things from our team as the season progresses,” said Marker.
Seniors Angela Anderson and Sharon Hawk, and juniors Jessica Snyder and Haylee Farrar saw playing time last season, but many of these players will be playing in a new position this year.
“All of these girls are hard hitting, they understand the game and I think they will do a great job for us,” said Marker.
The Blue Devils will be shorter than average, but have some height in junior Melissa Parker and Snyder.
Sophomore Katee Humphrey, and juniors Kristin Aamodt, Janet McElligott and Jessica Hill, will provide Condon with lots of talent and will see plenty of action this season.
“We have lots of talent and I see a bright future for this group of girls. We are working on finding our team chemistry and learning each others’ style of play,” said Marker.
The strength of the serving game will come from Farrar, Humphrey and McElligott and coach Marker expects her defense to be “very scrappy.”
Condon will begin the season hosting Prairie City on Friday, Sept. 6. at 4 p.m., and they will host the Summit Springs tournament on Saturday, Sept. 6. at 9:30 a.m., consisting of Dufur, Ione, Wahtonka and Wheeler.
“We are quick as a team and we are working hard. I just think that we need to gain experience, and with our tough pre-season schedule, we will find our team identity and be ready for the Big Sky,” said Marker.
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Sports reporter Joe McHaney can be reached at 1-800-522-0255 (ext. 1-236) or by e-mail at jmchaney@eastoregonian. com.
