Eagles Open Volleyball Season With Two Wins

An Eagle volleyball team with many key returning sophomores and a good group of freshmen opened the 2025 fall season with a pair of wins Aug. 22nd at Skyline College in San Bruno.

"It's a really good group," said head coach Lyndi Cadola prior to the Eagles defeating Skyline 3-0 and Marin 3-1. "We have a lot of good leadership being shown by the returning class. Every play they want to earn it, be aggressive and make it hard for other teams. They want to practice at 100 percent every day; that way our 80 percent on an off day will be better than the other team's 100 percent. Last year we prided ourselves on being a player-led team, and that rolled over into this season. We have a lot of sophomores, and they're good role models for that."

The sophomores include outside hitter Sadie Graviet, who was First Team All-Golden Valley Conference as a freshman, and middle blocker Ajhana Tagler, who made Honorable Mention All-GVC a year ago.

Also returning are libero Sarah Speasl, setter Maddie Gibson, outside hitter Heitiare Moala, outside hitter Quincy Paarsch, defensive specialist/libero Samantha Oakley, and setter Zoe Brooks.

Rylee Brown is a sophomore outside hitter who previously played at Marin, and Delaney Rowe is a sophomore defensive specialist/libero who returns after missing most of last season with an injury.

Freshmen on the roster are outside hitter Anna Brown, libero Khloe Smith, middle blocker Rowyn McDougall, setter Mia Hansen, and Kohen Thomas from Butte Valley High School in Dorris, who is red-shirting.

The Eagles lost two record-setting players to graduation from last year's team that finished with a 15-18 overall record and went 4-6 in conference: setter Isabella Colombo and libero Amelia Gastelum. But Cadola has high hopes for their replacements.

Coach said setter Mia Hansen from South Jordan, UT, is capable of filling Colombo's big shoes with her abundant skills, great attitude, and work ethic.

Cadola is also confident about the setting abilities of two sophomores who came to Siskiyous from Idaho last year: Zoe Brooks from Kellogg and Maddie Gibson from Hansen. "Zoe is an excellent utility player," she said. "She can play any position, hit, set, defense.

She also gives 100 percent to the team. Maddie has grown leaps and bounds from all the work she put in since last year."

At libero, Coach said the Eagles are lucky to have both Sarah Speasl from Eugene, OR, and Samantha Oakley from Santa Clarita returning. "Sarah dives for everything, touches everything, and is a consistent server. Sam didn't play that much last year, but she has worked crazy hard to become a super part of our defense."

Speasl was one of the team leaders in digs last year and ranked 10th in conference in serve receptions.

There's a lot to like about the Eagles' experienced front row, which features Sadie Graviet from Emmett, ID, Ajhana Tagler from Winslow, AZ, Heitiare Moala from Medford, OR, and Quincy Paarsch from Lakeport. They are joined by sophomore Rylee Brown of Woodland, who played her freshman season at Marin a few years ago, and freshmen Rowyn McDougall from Incline Village, NV, and Anna Brown from Grants Pass, OR.

Graviet is a 5-9 outside hitter who earned All-GVC honors after leading the 2024 Eagles in attacks and kills and placed in the top 10 in conference in numerous hitting and scoring categories. "Sadie is an absolute gamer," Cadola said. "She has exploded with confidence as a hitter from outside, the middle and the right side. We're super excited to have her back."

Tagler, a 5-9 middle blocker, was voted onto the All-GVC Honorable Mention list last year after ranking second in conference with 36 solo blocks and top 10 in kills, while leading the Eagles in blocks, scoring, and hitting percentage. "Ajhana will find a way to win," Cadola said. "She's crafty and smart and a super dominant blocker."

Coach describes Moala's powerful right arm as "a canon" that will lead to hits smashing against the back wall at times. "She's a team player who has power in her arm and voice. She loves to do cheers, swing for the fences, and be aggressive." The 5-10 outside hitter was third on the team in kills last year and fourth in blocks per set while ranking ninth in conference in total attacks.

Paarsch is listed on the roster as a 5-7 outside hitter, but Cadola appreciates her ability and willingness to play any position. "Quincy is one of our most effective defensive players and I love having her in the defensive specialist role. She's loud and aggressive, serves well, and gives so much energy." She ranked sixth in conference in serve receptions last year, 10th in service aces, 13th in digs, and 16th in total attacks.

"With age comes wisdom," Cadola said when referring to Rylee Brown's return to volleyball after taking a few years off. Also listed on the roster as a 5-7 outside hitter, "She's going to be a key utility player for us. She's crafty with great passing and defense."

Cadola sees 5-9 freshman middle blocker Rowyn McDougall as a standout athlete "exploding in talent. She's crazy good blocking and has a super quick arm. She's going to help us keep the middle consistent."

Outside hitter Anna Brown is another "super versatile and smart player who can get a ton of balls up" before they hit the floor.

Delaney Rowe from Dearborn, MI, and Khloe Smith from Crescent City are both defensive specialist/liberos. Cadola said Khloe is like many others who have played for Del Norte High School, which is known for developing hard-working athletes. "She makes crazy digs, is awesome communicating, and can be a big part of our defense."

Cadola's assistant coach this season is former Eagle Kayana Woodard, and they are both also coaching the Eagles' spring beach volleyball team. New beach volleyball courts were constructed this summer where the tennis courts used to be on the COS campus, so the team will no longer have to travel for practices and plans to host matches. The beach volleyball courts are also great for cross training for the indoor team, Cadola said.

The Eagles are scheduled to play two matches in San Jose this Wednesday and two at De Anza in Cupertino this Friday. They will stay on the road for most of the preseason, but do have a home match scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, against Yuba. They will open conference play at home against Shasta on Friday, Oct. 10.

By Steve Gerace