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Great players do it all, working the crowd into a frenzy and making every play look effortless.
But special players do it so routinely, they turn the wow factor into complete domination.
This has been an evolution for Capital’s Kristyn Ross in her high-school volleyball career. She’s gone from good to great to flat-out ridiculous.
“Sometimes, I wonder, ‘What more can I give to this girl?’ ” Capital coach Natalie Zukowski said of her 5-foot-10 outside hitter. “She has it all. … She doesn’t have a weak part to her game.”
Ross’ numbers speak for her: She owns the single-season school record for kills with 259 and is already the career leader with more than 600 kills with one more season to play.
She’ll be expected to be the go-to player again for Capital, which features a senior-laden team destined for success.
With her humility and upbeat manner, she’s got high hopes for herself and her teammates. The Cougars have eight seniors – including all-leaguers Ross, Gabi Vega (setter), Aria Goodman (outside hitter) and Lynn Zhao (defensive specialist) – back from the team that made the state tournament for the first time since 2003. They weren’t satisfied with the 1-2 record at state and losing to Seattle Prep for a shot to play for a trophy.
“I’m so excited for this year,” Ross said. “It’s awesome to see how (my teammates) have progressed. When I think about us, I can’t wait for state.”
Ross has been an all-league player the past three seasons, including earning MVP honors of the 3A Western Cascade Conference last season. She also was voted to the 3A all-state team, averaging 19 kills per match.
It’s not just her hitting that stands out; her solid all-around game does, too. She plays in the entire rotation, and often leads the team in not only kills, but also digs. Add in a handful of aces and her will to win, and Ross is a complete player.
When the competition level rises, so does her game and leadership.
At the Class 3A state tournament in November, the Cougars trailed Holy Names, two sets to none. But back came Capital, led by Ross’ career-best 42 kills in a 19-25, 21-25, 25-9, 25-22, 15-12 victory. Opposing coaches at state turned to catch a glimpse of Ross’ powerful swing.
“We know we can count on her to make a play,” Zukowski said. “She always is pushing herself and wanting herself to do better, and embraces her role as being the one who is consistent. She wants the whole team to succeed.”
Zukowski has been in the Capital program as a coach for nine seasons, this being her seventh at the helm. She admits she’s never had a player the caliber of Ross.
It didn’t take long for Zukowski to realize she had a special player when Ross turned out as a freshman; she had seen what Ross could do when she was in middle school.
Ross, who has a scholarship offer from Saint Martin’s University, has played year-round club volleyball since she was in fifth grade, and got her first taste of national competition at a tournament in Reno in July while playing for Lake Tapps Volleyball Club.
Going against elite competition has helped prepare her for her senior season.
“I’ve learned that even if you have the best group of players, it’s all about the chemistry,” Ross said. “I feel that Capital has great chemistry, and we’re getting better every day.
“We’re starting at a higher level than we left off from state.”
Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473 mwochnick@theolympian.com
VOLLEYBALL GLANCE
Best all-around player
Capital’s Kristyn Ross is known for her powerful swing and offensive presence, but she’s also a great passer and tough at the net. She plays all through the rotation for the Cougars, often leading in kills and digs.
Biggest shoes to fill
Black Hills must replace six seniors from a District IV winner that finished third at state. But if history is any indicator, the Kara Peterson-coached Wolves will be in the thick of the EvCo race, led by senior Whitney Martin, an honorable mention all-league selection.
Did you know?
North Thurston coach Micah McBride was Kara Peterson’s assistant at Black Hills for three years before taking over the Rams in 2000. The teams will meet Sept. 28 at North Thurston in the first match between the coaches since their teams were in the Pacific-9 League in 2006.
Can’t-miss match
Timberline at Capital, 7 p.m., Oct. 20. The Narrows League 3A division crown could be on the line.
Five teams to watch
Capital
The Cougars can go as far as Kristyn Ross, a first-team all-state player, can carry them. She’ll be the go-to player after leading Capital to its first state appearance since 2003. Experience will be on the Cougars’ side with eight seniors – including all-leaguer performers Gabi Vega (setter), Aria Goodman (outside hitter) and Lynn Zhao (defensive specialist) – back from a team that was one match win from playing for a state trophy.
Centralia
This could be the year the Tigers get over the district tournament hump and make it to state. Since Neil Sharp took over in 2007, the Tigers have improved every season, including back-to-back third-place finishes in the EvCo. Eight starters return – including junior Tyana Andrews and senior Molly King.
Olympia
The Bears, with back-to-back state trophies, must move on without Narrows League MVP Lisa Chulich, who graduated. Undefeated in league the past two years, Olympia returns four starters – including second-team All-Narrows performers Lauren Herseth and Jennifer Liedes.
Timberline
The senior class has led the team to two state berths in three years, including its first state match victory last year, a five-set thriller over Holy Names. The 1-2 punch of setter Gatalina Schuster and outside hitter Alyssa Kellar should power the Blazers.
Tumwater
The Thunderbirds will rely on a slew of savvy sophomores – including EvCo second-teamer Karlee Sampson – to lead the way. Tumwater, the 2008 2A state champion, had a four-year streak at state snapped by R.A. Long at district last year.
10 players to watch
Tyana Andrews, Centralia, setter/outside hitter, jr.
Jennifer Cole, River Ridge, middle/outside hitter, sr.
Lauren Herseth, Olympia, outside hitter, sr.
Jennifer Liedes, Olympia, middle hitter, sr.
Alyssa Kellar, Timberline, outside hitter, sr.
Julie Marquez, Rochester, middle hitter, sr.
Kristyn Ross, Capital, outside hitter, sr.
Karlee Sampson, Tumwater, outside hitter, so.
Gatalina Schuster, Timberline, setter, sr.
Gabi Vega, Capital, setter, sr. TEAM CAPSULES
Black Hills Wolves
Coach: Kara Peterson, 14th season
Last year: 19-2, District IV champions, placed third at 2A state tournament
Key returners: OH Whitney Martin, sr., honorable mention all-EvCo; OH Kendra Henry, jr.
Top newcomers: MH Hope Mortensen, so.; MH Avery Noble, jr.; S Brittney Lazaro, jr.; DS/L Marney Wilson, jr.; RS/MH Jessica Knapp, sr.; OH/DS Jensyn McCoy, fr.
Capital Cougars
Coach: Natalie Zukowski, seventh season
Last year: 14-8, advanced to 3A state tournament
Key returners: OH Kristyn Ross, sr., WCC MVP, first-team all-state; S Gabi Vega, sr., first-team all-WCC; OH Aria Goodman, sr., second-team all-WCC; DS Lynn Zhao, sr., second team all-WCC; MH Natalie Christopher, sr.
Top newcomer: MH Danielle Tabor, so.
Centralia Tigers
Coach: Neil Sharp, fourth season
Last year: 19-8, advanced to 2A district tournament
Key returners: S/OH Tyana Andrews, jr., first-team all-EvCo; MH Molly King, sr., second-team all-EvCo; OH Mykala Anglin, jr., second-team al-EvCo; S Megan Kerner, jr., honorable mention all-EvCo; MH Sharon Wade, sr.; OH Tauri Partin, sr., ; OH Alexandra Jackson, sr.; L Megan Helm, jr.
Chehalis Bearcats
Coach: Lisa Wilson, first season
Last year: 1-11
Key returners: DS/L Tory Haberstrob, jr.; RH/S Haley Graham, jr.
Top newcomers: OH Kaleen Davis, sr.; DS Amber Taylor, jr.; MH Alicia Panco, jr.;
MH Aleassa Wren, jr.
North Thurston Rams
Coach: Micah McBride, 11th season
Last year: 7-9, advanced to 3A district tournament
Key returners: MH Brianna Perry, jr., second-tema all-WCC
Top newcomers: OH Julia Wabinga, jr.; S Catie Mets, jr.; OH Brittany Rutherford, so.;
L Kaitlin Zenger, sr.
Olympia Bears
Coach: Laurie Creighton, 32nd season
Last year: 30-5-2, Narrows League champions, placed seventh at 4A state
Key returners: OH Lauren Herseth, sr., second team all-Narrows; MH Jennifer Liedes, sr., second team all-Narrows; L Annie Sing, jr.; S Michelle Christy, sr.
Top newcomers: S Alex Bassett, jr.; DS/L Sadie Beckenhauer, jr.; DS/L Chloe Hallum, jr.; OH Megan Goodman, jr.; MH Erika Wakdner, jr.; DS/L Amber Tran, sr.; MH Michaela Berendt, so.; OH Tiana McIntosh, so.
River Ridge Hawks
Coach: Robert Higashi, fifth season
Last year: 9-6, advanced to 2A district tournament
Key returners: OH Jennifer Cole, sr., honorable mention all-EvCo; S Halee Hernandez, sr., honorable mention all-EvCo; DS/L Hanna Hernandez, so.; MH Tia Harrison, sr.; RS Kelsey Russell, sr.
Top newcomers: OH/DS Breanna Pressler, so.; OH/DS Anna VanderWyst, fr.; MH Ashley Rabideau, sr.; DS Victoria Ness, sr.
Shelton Highclimbers
Coach: Steve Beck, 18th season
Last year: Eliminated in Narrows League tournament
Key returners: S Madison Gaa, sr.; MH Hanna Erickson, sr.; OH Amy Menzie, jr.
Top newcomer: MB Lolly Jones, jr.
Timberline Blazers
Coach: Krista Manke, seventh season
Last year: 12-2, advanced to 3A state tournament
Key returners: S Gatalina Schuster, sr., first team all-WCC; OH Alyssa Kellar, sr., first team all-WCC; L Ashley Bent, sr., honorable mention all-WCC; MH/RS Lyndsey Kellar, sr., second-team all-WCC; RS Mackenzie Crabb, sr.
Top newcomers: MH Riley Podowicz, fr.; OH Halie Snaza, so.; MH Nicole Pittelkau, so.
Tumwater Thunderbirds
Coach: Tana Croft, eighth season
Last year: 13-1, advanced to 2A district tournament
Key returners: OH Karlee Sampson, so., second team all-EvCo; MH/OH/RH Gabby Johnson, jr.; L Annie Torfin, jr.; RH/OH Maryann Bringhurst, sr.
Top newcomers: OH Jacey Watson, so.; S Courtney Bowen, so.; MH Hannah Hanson, so.; OH Carly Jo Brun, so., MH Lakeisha Anger, sr.; RH/DS Kelsey Hummel, sr.; DS Taryn Weiks, jr.; RH Nicole Grisham, sr.
Yelm Tornados
Coach: Rebecca Wallace, third season
Last year: 3-14 overall
Key returners: MH Emma Leimback, sr.; S/RH Taylor Voight, sr.; OH Kylie Harmon, sr.; OH Morgan Crown, sr.; DS Courtney Klumpp, sr.
Top newcomers: S Amy Charlston, jr.; DS Emily McGuire, jr.; DS Jessica Osborn, jr.
Meg Wochnick, staff writer
