At the beginning of the 2024 season, Yakima Valley College’s volleyball team needed to find a way to stay competitive when major injuries knocked a couple key players out of the lineup.
Head Coach Darci Dekker said the team navigated that adversity thanks to a family-oriented culture that the Yaks have nurtured over multiple seasons.
“The incoming freshmen all knew of the culture we have built within our volleyball program,” Dekker said. “My sophomores led by example and were all great leaders. Our culture is based on teamwork and creating a family atmosphere within our team.”
The Yaks notched an 11-3 conference record (18-10 overall), finishing No. 3 in the East Region and making it to the NWAC tournament for a fourth consecutive year.
“That consistency means we are doing something right,” Dekker said. “It helps with recruiting and building our culture.”
ABOVE: The Yaks celebrate after scoring a point during a September victory over Spokane Community College. TOP: Sophomore McKenna Steiner, who ranked fourth in the NWAC in kills per set during regular season play, spikes the ball.
With injured players returning to action for the last couple weeks of league play, the Yaks closed the regular season with five consecutive victories, including a 3-0 win over previously undefeated Columbia Basin College in the final match of the season.
“We finally have our full roster heading into Regionals,” Dekker said. “We will do great if the team can trust their teammates and play relaxed. I feel we are peaking at the right time. They need to trust the process and learn from every single point. We must cut down on unforced errors and go out and play up-tempo, clean volleyball.”
She noted attributed a large portion of the Yaks success this season to her players being selfless and supporting one another.
“The girls truly care about each other as teammates and as people,” Dekker said. “Great people make great teammates. I am very, very proud of the way they have represented YVC and our volleyball program.”
Four players made this year’s All-Region team with sophomore outside/opposite hitter McKenna Steiner and freshman setter Joleen Jaeger named First Team, sophomore middle blocker Ana Hrle named Second Team and freshman outside hitter Kaitlyn Leaverton named Third Team.
Jaeger, from Juan Diego Catholic in Draper, Utah, also was thrice named NWAC Setter of the Week while placing fourth in the conference in assists per set for the season. During the week of September 9 – 15, Jaeger totaled 206 assists over four matches at the NWAC Crossover tournament, tallying more than 40 assists in each match while adding 39 digs, 13 kills, four blocks and two aces. During the week of September 30 – October 6, she totaled 80 assists in a pair of 3-0 victories. And during the week of October 16 – 23, Jaeger recorded 36 of the Yaks 42 assists in a 3-0 victory over Wenatchee Valley College.
Meanwhile Leaverton, from West Valley High School in Yakima, was named NWAC Offensive Player of the Week for September 30 – October 6 when she racked up 34 kills and 34 digs in two Yaks victories.
Sophomore Ana Hrle, left, and freshman Ailianna Quaempts with a block against Walla
Walla University.
Whatever the outcome of this year’s tournament, Dekker said the team’s trip to Curley Lake in north-central Washington as they started preparing for the season will be a standout memory for her.
“Our team is very close and that trip really helped everyone learn about each other,” Dekker said. “I don’t think any of the girls will ever forget it. The bond with this team will always be there far after our season is over.”
Yaks repeat 3rd-place finish
For the first time in more than 30 years, the Yaks claimed a top-3 finish in the NWAC Volleyball Championship in back-to-back years.
Dekker said the team again finishing near the top of the league made a statement to the rest of the league.
"We were not a team who got 'lucky' last year," she said. "We were good. This year proved it. It proved it to all of the other NWAC teams out there. YVC always peaks at the right time. Don't ever count us out!"
In its Elite 8 quarterfinal match, YVC dispatched Highline is straight sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-15, paced by 17 kills from Steiner and 15 kills from Leaverton, while Jaeger led the team with 25 assists.
In a hard-fought semifinal match, however, the Yaks fell to three-time defending champion Linn-Benton 25-15, 20-25, 25-18, 25-15, setting up a third-place match pitting the team against East Region rival Columbia Basin.
After splitting the regular season series, with each team winning in straight sets on their home court, the Yaks again swept Columbia Basin 25-17, 25-19, 25-23 to bring the third place trophy back to YVC for the second consecutive year. The team was led by 13 kills from Steiner and 10 kills from Leaverton, while Jaeger contributed 24 assists with another 20 assists from freshman setter Kalilynn Gomez, and freshman defensive specialist/libero Mia Carlson paced the Yaks with 17 digs.
Steiner was named to the 2024 NWAC Volleyball All-Tournament First Team while Hrle was named to the Second Team.
Dekker said the recognition for Steiner and Hrle, the team's captains, was well deserved.
"They were great leaders for our team on and off the court," she said, noting both sophomores will be moving on to play at the next level.
Earlier, during the regional round of the tournament, the Yaks defeated eventual 2024 champion Skagit Valley in a 5-set, seesaw match that was the team's first loss since the middle of September to take the No. 1 seed out of the North Regional.
During the regional round, the Yaks first defeated Rogue 27-25, 25-17, 30-28 to set up the battle with Skagit Valley. YVC's 25-18, 15-25, 25-22, 13-25, 15-13 victory would be one of only four loses by Skagit Valley this season.
Dekker said the team was tense at the start of the match, which showed up in its passing and lack of defense, but the Yaks also showed their mettle in tough situations.
"I think at this point in our season it all comes down to trusting your teammates, believing in yourself and the power of being a true team," Dekker said. "We know we have the ability to go all the way. Never count us out. We are a talented team with a ton of heart and grit. I am beyond proud of every single player on our team and proud of the commitment they have made."
While Dekker said the team will miss this year's sophomores, the team is working to raise up a new crop of players to continue the team's success.
"We have some outstanding freshmen who are ready and capable of taking over," she said. "All of our returners have had experience this year. I am excited to train in the spring and watch them grow."
Story by Dustin Wunderlich, director of community relations. Photos by Wunderlich, Ross Courtney and Daniel Acosta.