The Cashmere Bulldogs Volleyball team is flying high to begin the 2025 season. The Bulldogs are 7-0, with all those wins coming in SCAC play. On Friday, September 12th, the Bulldogs made a statement when they took a trip down to the Yakima Sundome to battle some of the best small schools in the Northwest. The Bulldogs played six long, grueling games, but they didn’t drop one set, crowning them as the indisputed Yakima Sundome Volleyball Festival Champions. The championship was a huge achievement for the Bulldogs, but now they will have to shift their attention to a familiar foe.
This Monday, September 29th. The #3-ranked Bulldogs (according to WSVCA power rankings) will make the hour-long trek to battle their bitter rival, the reigning five-time 1A state champions, and the #2-ranked team in 1A volleyball, the Chelan Goats. The Goats are off to a 5-0 start. They opened their season playing at Ellensburg High School (2A runners-up in 2024). The Goats made the trip down to Ellensbug and shocked the Bulldogs on their home court.
The five-time defending state champions are led by 2024 WSVCA 1A player of the year, Brynn Hughbanks. In June of 2024, Hughbanks announced that she would take her talents to Florida State University to further continue her beach volleyball career. She plays outside hitter (OH) for the Goats and will look to carry them over the Bulldogs this Monday.
Across the net, the Bulldogs returned everyone from the 2024 season, in which they fell to Cedar Park Christian in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs’ roster is filled with Juniors, including OH Macie Smart. Smart was the SCAC player of the Year as a sophomore and also 1st-team all-state. She is assisted by setter Cali Diaz (S) and middle Taylor Kunz (M), who were both 1st-team all-league in 2024. Junior Libero Mandy Barba and Senior M Hazel Schade were the 2nd team all-leaguers for the Bulldogs in 2024. OH Teagan Kerns received Honorable Mention all-league honors, and Junior OH Faith Courtney rounds out the starting lineup for the Bulldogs.
Reigning SCAC coach of the year Katie Broadbent had some words on the upcoming matchup against the Goats.
“Playing in Chelan is always an electric environment. We play our best volleyball when we face tough competition,” Broadbent continued. “The girls are locked in and ready to go. It is going to be a great battle with two of the best teams in the state”.
Junior Setter Cali Diaz was asked if any preparation changes were made going into this game. Diaz shared,
“Chelan is always one of our most exciting games. For preparation, we’re looking to strengthen our defense as much as we can, and more than anything, mentally stay focused as a team. ”
The 2nd-team all-state setter will look to set up her teammates and lead the Bulldogs to a key victory over the Goats.
In the 2024 season, the Goats swept the Bulldogs twice in back-to-back matches, once in the district championship. The Bulldogs will look to get their revenge this Monday.
The first serve is at 6:30 pm at Chelan High School.
