MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: St. Helens girls volleyball

The key to the first state volleyball title in school history for the St. Helens Lions wasn't their tremendous speed and court coverage.

It wasn't their outstanding conditioning supplied by first-year conditioning coach Diane Kadolph-Ray, wife of head coach Tom Ray.

It wasn't the dominant middle play of 6-foot senior Taylor Albertson, who had 26 kills and six blocks in the championship match, or the hunger from finishing seventh at state last season, or even a very supportive parent group.

Nope. The key, according to Ray, was BREAD.

Not the soft and chewy kind — or even whole wheat — but it was a technique Ray devised and used as an acronym: Breaking Records Every Day.

"The girls made goals before each practice and game," Ray said. "There were extra fitness workouts, and they supported each other on and off the court. These girls became family with common goals and passions."

As Ray said, their first 5A state title "didn't come over night." It was a process, a daily process with clear, upward goals.

And it all paid off with a scintillating 26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-17 win over La Salle for the crown on Saturday.

For that first title, a 21-4 season and overall excellence, the Lions are the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

In the championship match, they had a lot of hitting from junior Logan Kalauli. A 10-point service run by Hailee Fischer keyed a game three win after St. Helens squandered a 23-19 lead.

St. Helens trailed 6-2 in the fourth, but reeled off eight straight to win going away. Kalauli had nine kills and three blocks, and senior Rianne Tupper added 10 kills. Albertson was extra special on Saturday.

La Salle coach Liz Banta told Oregon Live: "She's a great hitter and she didn't let up. Even when she gets blocked once or twice, you know she's going to be swinging away on the next ball."

Said Albertson: "This whole weekend we've gotten down and we were able to come back up, so that's helped us be able to refocus and know we can come back from anything."

Ray said Albertson isn't just a tall body in the middle.

"She stands out from other athletes because of her ability to lead, to always test and exceed her limits. She's not afraid to ask for help, and has a big heart," Ray said. "She leads by example and encouragement. She works hard on her own athletically and academically, and would never say 'I can't.'

"She is always willing to help girls with their fundamental volleyball skills by working with them as an individual. She also challenges and encourages others to be better and strive for excellence.

"During a game Taylor can read both sides of the net which makes her physically and mentally alert. She is an excellent player both in the back row and as a front row player. She hits the ball so hard that players shy away. She is an inspiration to the players and other students in our school."

And the students inspired back. Ray said the school's unwavering support played a big role in the team's championship.

"The student body of St. Helens High School is out of this world," Ray said. "They had different dress-up themes for each home game, had cheers that involved everyone and showed the team how much they loved and supported them — win or lose."

The Lions obviously didn't lose often. And when they won it all, the student body stormed the court and hoisted the players up. After awards and pictures, the players, family and friends went out for pizza where they had some real BREAD.

"A state championship includes the right mix of athletes, a great coaching staff, and supportive family and student body," Ray said. "We had it all." Staff writer Colin Ward-Henninger contributed to this report.