Seaside Prepares for Varsity Tournament With First Place at Stake

Seaside High School will face a field of 14 other teams in its first varsity volleyball tournament of the year on October 10 beginning at 8 a.m. in Seaside. The tournament winner will take sole possession of first place with three conference matches remaining, adding standings implications to a day that will test Seaside against unfamiliar competition before the postseason.

The field includes St. Helens, Depart, La Grande, Century, Astoria, Scappoose, Warrenton, Estacada, Milwaukie, Marist and Taft, Corbett. Most of the participating teams have not visited Seaside this year. For Seaside, the tournament offers a broader look at Class 4A opponents outside the Cowapa League, making adjustments between matches an important storyline. Serve placement, passing consistency and the ability to recognize different attacking patterns will be tactical areas to watch as the competition changes.

Among the players to watch are Seaside's #2 Junior MB Stella Ensign who has had been blocking many teams top hitters. That combination could put passing and offensive distribution in focus: accurate first contacts can give the setter more options and help create attacking chances on the outside. Alongside #7 Junior libero Olyvia Morse who started as an Outside hitter has shown her Against those hitters, block positioning and back-row coverage will be key tactical considerations.

The tournament also provides a test ahead of the closing conference stretch, after which teams at the top of their conferences will continue to the state playoffs. Seaside's challenge will be to handle the variety of opponents while maintaining consistent execution from match to match. After the tournament, Seaside is scheduled to face Milwaukie at home Saturday, Oct. 10, at 8 a.m.