The Tualatin volleyball team doesn’t have the largest roster, but Coach Bridget Hinrichs thinks it’s working well for the Timberwolves.
“They like it,” Hinrichs said. “I was hesitant to go with a smaller team this year, but I think it’s going well. They seem even that much closer.”
Tualatin has 10 girls listed on its roster this year, the fewest of any team in the Three Rivers League. Oregon City has 11 girls on its team, and the other six teams in the league all have at least 13.
Hinrichs took over the volleyball program last year, her second stint coaching volleyball at Tualatin. She previously led the program from 2013 to 2020. She said that to build on the work from last year, she felt that a smaller roster was the best course of action for Tualatin, as it allows the girls to see more time on the court.
It’s also helped the team build its camaraderie.
“I love how they work together and really, truly enjoy each other,” Hinrichs said. “It’s such a blessing, and a lot of fun to watch. They have a lot of team chemistry, and they just feed off of each other and have so much heart and guts, and they just kind of keep pushing through.”
Last year, the Timberwolves finished the year 7-16, including an 0-12 record in Three Rivers League play. Tualatin sits at 5-10 so far this year as of our press deadline. The Timberwolves did manage to win a league game already this year.
Tualatin won its first game of the year against Tigard, beating the Tigers three sets to one at home.
“You always get up for your rivalry matches,” Hinrichs said. “Tigard always puts together a good squad. I think they just really wanted to prove themselves this year. We’ve had a rough couple of years. They just wanted to prove that they could do it for each other.”
Hinrichs said she’s seen a good amount of growth from last year, even beyond the team scoring an in-league win.
“Last year, we worked a lot on our fundamentals and building back,” she said. “This year, we’re improving because we have that base. We’re getting an opportunity to build off of it and run offense and defense, and not worry so much about the fundamentals because that has been dialed.”
Hinrichs also praised the leadership of her captains, juniors Georgia Biedritzky and Jaelyn Hinrichs. They were both voted captains of the team last year, as well.
“They have a lot of heart and soul and love for their team,” Coach Hinrichs said. “It shows. They were pretty much unanimously voted both years.”
She also said the team’s four seniors – Nila Laylo, Aero Nguyen, Kristin Guerra, and Maliya Steen – have stepped up as key reasons for the team’s improvements in her second year back with the program.
Two new additions to the team are also having impressive years. Sophomores Nahla McCrae and Atlynn Sorenson are both new to the varsity team this season. They’ve both been standouts in setting up their teammates on the court.
“This is Atlynn’s first year setting, and she’s done a wonderful job stepping into that role,” Hinrichs said. “Nahla has done a great job sealing that right side for us.”
