The busy fall athletic season gets rolling for all White River teams this week. Here’s a quick look at the Hornet programs (except football, which was previewed in last week’s edition).
VOLLEYBALL
Early-season action: The Hornets kicked things off Sept. 4 with a 3-0 shutout victory over NPSL 3A foe Auburn Mountainview. The team returned to the court Sept. 9 when they hosted Kent-Meridian. Next up is a trip to Federal Way High on Sept. 10.
A new coach: Hayley Steinman brings years of coaching experience to the White River program. She spent the past four fall seasons in charge of the Bonney Lake High program and, before that, spent two seasons as head coach for Foothills Select Volleyball. Her playing days included three seasons on the Sumner High varsity and high-level competition in club volleyball before joining the club team at Washington State University.
Key returnees: The junior class is well represented at White River where 10 varsity players have returned from last year’s squad. Crucial cogs in the Hornet machine, according to Steinman, include Emery Stevenson, last year’s 3A NPSL Most Valuable Player, along with Bella Fioretti and Jordyn Kaelin (both were first team, all-league selections a year ago).
Key additions: Making the jump from the JV ranks and joining the varsity are Cheyanne Saetern and Angela Forward.
Key loss: Kianna Rohner, a first team, all-league pick during her senior season.
The coach says: “Expectations of the season are that we will continue to build on the strong team we have and take the team to the next level from last season.”
Last year: White River’s maiden voyage through the Class 3A ranks was a huge success story. The team went 16-0 in North Puget Sound League play, advanced to the state tourney by winning three of four district contests and capped the 2024 campaign by bringing home a sixth-place trophy from the 3A state tournament.
GIRLS SOCCER
Early-season action: The Hornets will be looking to defend their home turf tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 10) when they host the Bonney Lake Panthers in nonleague action. The squad has already played two matches and participated in a jamboree in Sumner.
A new coach: Madison Grande has taken the reins of the Hornet soccer program (and joined the White River faculty as a physical education instructor). She played at Peninsula High School and spent one season at Concordia University before heading off to Northwest Nazarene where she led the Great Northern Athletic Conference in goals scored (in 2022) and was twice named to the GNAC all-league first team. Last year she coached the squad at Hawkins Middle School in Belfair.
Key returnees: Familiar names on the Hornet roster include senior Jordyn Daigle, a first team, all-NPSL forward a year ago; also back are senior Addy Sykes (who has committed to play for Linfield University) and junior Charlotte Weber, both second team, all-league picks last season.
Promising newcomers: “We are excited about our freshman class to add more depth to the returning varsity players,” the coach reported. “Players that are already showing an impact with their attitude, work ethic, and skill: Aislinn Howisey, Hazel Kato, and Keira Fraker.”
The coach says: “We have lots of upperclassman returners that bring leadership, depth, and athletic ability in the midfield and defense and we are excited to grow on that. Our focus is on consistency and steady growth throughout the season, competing hard in every practice and every game, preparing this group for a postseason run and getting our team to the state tournament.”
Last year: Jumping up to Class 3A competition, the Hornets placed third in the North Puget Sound League regular-season standings. That landed the team a berth in the district tournament but the effort fell one victory shy of a state trip.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Early-season action: The squad opens the season with the Sept. 13 Olympia XC Classic. The NPSL 3A season opener comes Sept. 17 when the Hornets host Auburn Mountainview and Thomas Jefferson. The 46th Carl Westling Invitational (South Whidbey) is on Sept. 20.
Key returnees: Cannon Ross, back for his senior season, was a first team, all-NPSL selection a year ago; Oliver Schramm, another senior, was a second-team selection.
Key loss: Michael Marlow, a four-year varsity runner for the Hornets, was a North Puget Sound League 3A champion during his senior season, qualified for the 3A state meet and was a first team, all-league selection.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Early-season action: The squad opens the season with the Sept. 13 Olympia XC Classic. The NPSL 3A season opener comes Sept. 17 when the Hornets host Auburn Mountainview and Thomas Jefferson. The 46th Carl Westling Invitational (South Whidbey) is on Sept. 20.
Key returnees: Back from last year’s team that captured the 3A NPSL team championship and qualified the full squad for the 3A state meet are senior Lily Rodarte; juniors Paeton Poelman and Naomi Carthum; and sophomore Victoria Blakley. Both Poelman and Blakley were first team, all-league runners a year ago.
Key losses: Gone from last year’s state team are Vivian Kingston, Nativity Leddy and Paityn Kaydus.
Last year: In a field of 20 teams that gathered for the Class 3A state meet a season ago, the White River girls claimed 13th place.
BOYS TENNIS
Early-season action: The season kicked off Sept. 5 with a nonleague match at Bonney Lake High and continued Sept. 9 with a North Puget Sound League 3A contest with Todd Beamer High. This Friday, Sept. 12, brings a 3:30 p.m. home match against Thomas Jefferson.
Key returnees: A handful of familiar names dot the Hornet roster, returnees from a season ago. Included in the list of veterans are seniors Ashton Chapin, Chase Hoalst, Devin McRae, Caleb Swensrud and Alex Tessem. Marcus Marlow is back for his junior season.
BOYS GOLF
Early-season matches: The Hornets open the season Sept. 9 with a match against Kent-Meridian High at the Riverbend Golf Complex. Sept. 11 has the team taking on Thomas Jefferson High, again at the Riverbend site.
Season outlook: With a trio of state tournament veterans leading the way, the White River Hornets are set to embark on the 2025 campaign. Returning from their Class 3A state appearance are seniors Jonah Wright and Zach Wisdom along with sophomore Wes Ebbert.
“With senior leaders Wright, Wisdom, and Vaughn Porter guiding the way and strong varsity returners like Gavin Weber (junior) and Ebbert back in the mix, we have the experience and depth to compete in a tough 3A classification,” coach Garrett Anderson reported.
“The boys are motivated to push for a team berth to state, and with new talent joining the roster, this season should be an exciting one for the program filled with lots of competition.”
GIRLS GOLF
Early-season matches: The Hornet girls begin their season Sept. 9 with a home match against Kent-Meridian High. Sept. 11 has the team taking on Thomas Jefferson High, again at home and again at 3 p.m. White River plays all its home matches at Enumclaw Golf Course.
Season outlook: Welcoming a healthy mix of talented veterans and promising newcomers, coach Megan Cash is looking forward to the 2025 season.
“Coming off a strong ninth-place finish at (last season’s) state tournament, the White River girls’ golf team is ready to keep the momentum going,” Cash reported.
Providing experience and leadership are senior Abby Akins and sophomore Kailey Jensen, both members of last year’s state squad.
Aside from those two, the Hornet program has welcomed a pair of freshmen, Noelle Wright and Tatum Weber who are “expected to make an immediate impact,” Cash said.
“Combined with a core of skilled returners, the team is focused on building on last year’s success with a young roster,” the coach concluded.
Key losses: Lexie Mahler, first team all-league a year ago; Abigail Ringel, senior, second team all-league.
GIRLS SWIM/DIVE
Season opener: The team first hits the water Thursday, Sept. 11, when Auburn Mountainview invades the Enumclaw Aquatic Center for a three-team meet that also includes White River.
Key returnees: Seniors Haley Weisheyer and Trista Turgeon return for a final year, coming off a successful junior season.
Turgeon was a district champion in one-meter diving, was a first team, all-league selection and advanced to the state Class 3A championships. Weisheyer was third at the district meet in the 50-meter freestyle, was a first team, all-league pick and qualified for the 3A state meet.
