MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: Central Catholic volleyball

The measure of any team is how it reacts to adversity, or in this case a painstaking loss.

The Central Catholic (Portland) Rams had sustained a rare defeat, a two-game sweep in the finals of the South Albany girls volleyball tournament to West Albany 25-21, 25-23.

Rather than pout, the Rams just took out their frustration with a pair of lopsided victories last week over Gresham and St. Mary's Academy.

Central Catholic prevailed 25-11, 25-11 and 25-6, and 25-10 25-14, 25-7, respectively. The victories upped its overall record to 23-2.

For their comeback spirit, the Rams were selected as the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

"Our philosophy is to play the toughest schedule we can during the season to gauge our playing status and find out where we are the weakest and thus have to work on," said head coach Rick Lorenz. "Our losses to West Albany and Bellarmine (Tacoma) are stepping stones to getting better and improving as a team in the remaining season ahead."

Part of what makes Central Catholic so tough this season is its offensive balance and many weapons. No less than five girls have at least 100 kills, led by senior Natalie Batiste (198). She ranks ninth in the state at 3.4 kills per game.

Others who have hit the century mark are sophomore Reed Jacobson (123), juniors Ramey Gardner (118) and Whitney Turner (117), and sophomore Selena Batiste (106).

Those girls can flail away because the Rams are blessed with one of the state's best in senior setter Camille Foster, who has a remarkable 562 assists. She's third in the state at 9.9 assists per game and she had a season high 43 in a three-set win over Gresham on Sept. 5.

Foster, of course, wouldn't even get to make those beautiful sets if not for the passing and digging of juniors Kealia Rosa (86 digs) and Olivia Skalbeck (54). Foster herself has 51 digs and Jocelyn Peterson (47).

"Our two seniors this year Camille Foster and Natalie Batiste are co-captains along with our libero, Kealia Rosa to form a strong leadership model," said Lorenz. "The team chemistry is very good because of the effort the three co-captains have made. You have to be a giver in that leadership position and for the most part they are learning that lesson on as a day by day process. They are also excellent volleyball players who interact well with the veterans as well as the rookies. It’s all about team."

Behind the leadership of Lorenz, the Rams went a perfect 33-0 in 2001, taking home the state 6A title. Last season, they went 31-5.

Lorenz also led Central Catholic to state titles in 1997 (37-6), 200 (32-5) and 2009 (41-1). The team also grabbed a state crown in 2010 at 30-4.

Earlier this season Lorenz won his 1,100th game as a head coach and is now the all-time wins leader in the state of Oregon and the 8th-winningest coach in the nation, according to the school's website.

"Eighth-winningest — didn’t know that," said Lorenz. "I guess the 37-plus years have gone fast and piled up some wins. Credit that to a solid staff (Malcolm Doi, Joe Rivelli, Julie Taylor, John Downey, Charlie Rosa, Kayla Hughes). Their combined total years of coaching with me in our program is an astonishing 97 years. The last ingredient would obviously be a boatload of motivated, dedicated, talented athletes. You don’t win without talent and our Rose City volleyball club has developed that in the off season. All of my assistants have been a part of the club program as well."

Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.