Madison Nichols, a leader on the floor for undefeated Capital, is The Olympian’s spring 2021 All-Area volleyball player of the year

Capital High School won the Class 3A state volleyball tournament in 2018 and finished second in 2019. The Cougars were 10-0 in the shortened spring 2021 season, losing only three sets, to win the 3A South Sound Conference championship.

It’s no surprise The Olympian’s spring 2021 All-Area volleyball player of the year honor goes to a Capital player for the third consecutive season. And how close the three players honored really are makes the Cougars’ run unique.

This year’s winner, senior middle blocker Madison Nichols, has been a club and school indoor volleyball teammate of last year’s honoree, Devyn Oestreich, since the two showed up for a Puget Sound Volleyball Academy practice in the third grade.

The 2018 winner was Nichols’ older sister, Maia, who now plays beach volleyball at Arizona State.

“I’ve played with Devyn forever and with the other seniors for a really long time,” Nichols said. “The team has helped me become the player that I am and a better teammate.”

Nichols also credits Capital coach Katie Turcotte for a share of her development.

“She’s helped me with my approach,” she said. “Also, with the mental aspects that have such a huge role in the game. She builds a connection between the girls, lots of bonding stuff. She’s always there for us and pushes us as hard as she can.”

Turcotte returned the compliments.

“Madison has grown exponentially as a leader on the floor since her freshman year,” Turcotte said. “Her hard work and dedication to the game of volleyball are obvious.”

While Oestreich, a four-year member of The Olympian’s All-Area volleyball team, is headed to Western Washington in the fall to play for the Vikings’ powerhouse indoor team (27-3 and NCAA Division II regional semifinalists in 2019, and 7-1 so far in this year’s delayed spring season), Madison Nichols will follow in her sister’s sandy footsteps and play beach volleyball at Boise State.

Playing with talented partners such as her sister and Olympia’s Stanford-bound Avi Vetter for the Da Kine beach team, the outdoor game became Nichols’ forte.

Beach volleyball may be the best possible training for the indoor game. There’s an iconic scene in the film “Rocky III” where Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed running training sprints on a beach because it’s difficult to run or jump in sand. Returning to hardwood is like a softball player swinging two bats in the on-deck circle, then tossing away one as she heads to the plate.

“Madison’s beach skills translate onto the hardwood in a way that’s really fun to watch,” Turcotte said. “She has kind of a hang time that lets her get a touch on a ball and put it back on the other side of the net. She makes some spectacular defensive plays that come from a combination of her beach and indoor experiences.”

Nichols points to the need to cover more ground as one of only two players on a team as a crucial aspect of beach that is helpful indoors as well.

“You get a lot more touches, so it’s good for your ball control,” she said. “Communication is also big. It’s just you and one other player, so the mental game is important. Games can be hard and you have to rely on your partner.”

For the first time in her high school career, Nichols had one less familiar face to rely on this season, with her sister playing at ASU.

“I missed her a lot,” she said. “She’s my sister. It was different. But our team did what we could without her and it was a great season. We came together and made the magic happen. If there had been a postseason, we definitely would have made a run at the state championship game.”

Nichols personal magic included an impressive .474 hitting percentage, 88 digs, 43 blocks and 26 aces in just 33 sets.

She believes her choice of Boise State will also prove magical.

“I love the town. I love people. I love the atmosphere. I love the coaches and the team,” she said. “It really feels like home.”

Broncos’ coach Allison Voigt has high hopes for Nichols as well.

“Madison is a great defender who scores at a high rate and just knows how to win,” Voigt said after Nichols signed her letter of intent. “I am so excited to have her make an immediate impact in our beach program.”

PAST OLYMPIAN ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

2008 — Amanda Warner, Tumwater

2009 — Kailah Lenz, Black Hills

2010 — Lauren Herseth, Olympia

2011 — Christie Colasurdo, Olympia

2012 — Karlee Sampson, Tumwater

2013 — Hunter Manke & Riley Podowicz, Timberline

2014 — Rachel Erickson, Capital

2015 — Kennedy Croft, Tumwater

2016 — Julianna Salanoa, Timberline

2017 — Kennedy Croft, Tumwater

2018 — Maia Nichols, Capital

2019 — Devyn Oestreich, Capital