Volleyball
The Enumclaw volleyball team is on the court and ready for a state tournament run.
Coach Jackie Carel said she has a young team overall after losing a few key starters. The Hornets feature eight seniors and four juniors. Carel has been walking the pine sidelines and building strong Hornet teams each year through superior coaching and finding the right athletes for the right spots.
“We return two, first team all-league players, Barbie Becker and Victoria Hernandez, and their experience really brings our team together,” Carel said. “What I like about this team is that they are eager to learn and ready to take on the challenge of the SPSL (South Puget Sound League), which will be as strong as ever.
The Hornets season opens 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 on the road at Lakes.
Swim and Dive
The Hornets have a strong swim and dive team featuring 28 swimmers and 19 returning.
Coach Becky Pratt wrote in an email Jaelen Hobert and Abbie Jo Carlson will be on the diving board for Enumclaw.
“Jaelen is in her third year of diving under coach Steve Bannerot with goals including diving at state this season,” Pratt wrote.
On the swim team Pratt wrote, “Hannah Simurdak, a senior this year, is focused on breaking the school record in the 100 butterfly and representing our school this November at the state championships. We are lucky enough to have three sets of sisters including (Savannah and Winter) McNabbs, (Jaelen and Morgandy) Hoberts and (Elise and Lauren) Pratts, which adds to the excitement during competitions. Incoming freshmen Elise Pratt is looking to give the veteran swimmers some healthy competition.”
Enumclaw alumni Nicole Pulliam has joined the coaching staff and Pratt said she brings, “her vast swimming knowledge and talent to our team.”
Enumclaw hosts Bonney Lake at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Soccer
The Enumclaw girls soccer team should make a serious run on the pitch for the state championship.
The team went 7-9 last year and went 1-1 at the district tournament.
Coach Shawn Tobius wrote, “This year we have great team speed and have some depth in all positions. We are a senior heavy team this year that should help us with their experience.”
Tobias said senior forward Mia Fornelius and midfielder Casey Ranft, also a senior will be impact players for the Hornets.
The Hornets will host Emerald Ridge 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Expo Center.
Cross Country
The runners are ready for the Hornet cross country team.
Last season the girls team took 12th at the state tournament and were sub-district champions and SPSL co-champions.
Enumclaw returns three girls who should be leading the pack at state. Samantha Engebretsen was 20th last year at state. Aleea Gwerder and Hunter Storm ran under 21 minutes at the state meet last season.
Coach Tod Witzel wrote in an email, “Only one key runner graduated from our state bound squad from last year. My hope is to have a team that is at least as strong as last year.”
On the boys side senior Eric Hamel who ran at state last season will be running the distance for the Hornets.
Enumclaw will be competing in the Ellensburg Invitational Sept. 12.
Golf
The Hornets boys and girls golf team continues its long tradition of top players and top teams.
Coach Bob Kilmer for the boys and Steve Murphy for the girls have once again put together a formidable team.
Kilmer pointed out Enumclaw has won the league for the last three years. The boys team is loaded with state experience, Jared Beals, Josh Erickson, Bill Miller, Carson Erwin and Kidder McKee. Erickson, Erwin, Miller and McGee were selected as first team all-league players last year.
For the girls Murphy said the team will be young and inexperienced, “but we have 11 outstanding individuals with a tremendous attitude and work ethic.”
The Hornets feature four freshman, one sophomore and six juniors.
Returning for the team is Lexi Dechon, state participant and first team all-SPSL last year. Rylie McCann is a returning letter winner.
“We will be competitive and will improve everyday throughout the season,” Murphy said.
The boys beat Bonney Lake Thursday 88-75 at home. Erwin was co-medalist with Bonney Lake’s Curtis Koltermann, each shooting a 35 par.
The girls traveled to High Cedars and beat the Panther girls 38-29.
Boys Tennis
The boys tennis will open SPSL 3A play 3:30 p.m. Thursday at home against Auburn Riverside.
Water Polo
The Hornet boys water polo team opens the season 3:30 p.m. at South Kitsap and return home at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 to face Auburn Riverside.
