Camas’s Thompson Serves it Up

In just three years, Ella Thompson went from never playing organized volleyball to committing to a top-25 NCAA Division I program. But it wasn’t like she started from scratch. With a father and two older siblings who were NCAA track and field athletes, Thompson had competed in that sport for most of her life. When she began playing volleyball in the eighth grade, her track and field skills translated perfectly into her new favorite sport. After all, when you combine the leaping ability of a high jumper with the arm speed of a javelin thrower, you might get an elite outside hitter in volleyball. That’s exactly what Thompson is. The senior capped her high school career by leading Camas to its third consecutive state trophy. Thompson was named to the Class 4A all-tournament team after helping the Papermakers place fifth. Averaging nearly five kills per set this season, Thompson was named the 4A Greater St. Helens League MVP. The Columbian’s All-Region volleyball player of the year will continue her career at the University of Miami-Florida, which she committed to at the beginning of her junior year. Not bad considering Thompson took up volleyball, in part, to chart her own athletic course in her family. “It was always something different for me to go to volleyball practice,” Thompson said. “It felt special because it was unique to me. That’s when I started to grow a love for it.” Thompson still does track and field. Last spring, she placed fifth in the javelin at the 4A state meet while also competing in the shot put, high jump and hurdles. Thompson joked that her father, who competed at Boise State, is still trying to convince her to do the heptathlon in college. “I shook them all when I decided I wanted to go (to college) for volleyball,” Thompson said. “My dad was so sad, but he’ll get over it. Now he loves going to volleyball games.” Thompson also fell in love with volleyball because of the friends she quickly made. Those include four fellow Camas seniors who she has played with since eighth grade. With program-best fifth-place state finishes the past two years, and a sixth-place finish in 2023, that senior class has raised the standards at Camas. They’ve also had a lot of fun along the way. “On the court we know it’s time to work, but that doesn’t mean you should be rude,” Thompson said. “We’re always creating a positive environment to grow. You know you can make mistakes and can ask the upperclassmen for help.” Thompson’s senior season wasn’t without a setback. She missed a few early-season matches while recovering from bursitis in her shoulder. Once healthy, Thompson got to work on honing a skill she hopes will make an impact at the collegiate level — her serve. She unveiled a jump serve that begins with her tossing the ball more than 15 feet in the air before hitting with powerful topspin. That serve produced 10 aces in the Papermakers’ state quarterfinal match against Wenatchee. “I’m convinced that if my serving is really good they’re going to have to put me on the court, even as a serving sub,” Thompson said. “My goal from club through this year has been to become an accurate, strong server.” Thompson doesn’t worry about moving across the country for college. She lived in Texas before moving to Washington at age 12 and loves warmer climates. Miami went 27-6 this season, reached the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the regular season ranked No. 13 in the coaches poll. Beyond that, Thompson said the comfort she felt with Miami’s program made her decision easy. She committed immediately when offered a change to play for the Hurricanes. “Their head coach (Jose ‘Keno’ Gandara), he was like a big dad,” Thompson said. “He’s your biggest supporter. It felt like family.” But there’s one more achievement Thompson is targeting before she graduates from Camas. She hopes to contend for a state title in her family’s main sport. “I’m so excited for track season,” she said. “Senior year, I might as well go and do as many events as I can.” The rest of the All- Region volleyball team FIRST TEAM Bailey Espana, La Center: The senior moved from setter to hitter, finishing with 447 kills (4.76 per set) along with 273 digs and 339 assists. Sophia Gourley, Columbia River: The junior was 2A GSHL Player of the Year with 402 kills. Her 96 aces set a single-season program record. Gracie Jacoby, Prairie: The junior was 3A GSHL player of the year, averaging more than 15 kills and 10 assists. Selected to 3A state all-tournament team. Quinn Pederson, Camas: The senior took on role of primary setter, averaging more than five assists per set. Also second on team in digs. Shaylee Stephen, Camas: The 6-foot-3 senior and University of Portland commit led the 4A GSHL in blocks and was second on team in kills. SECOND TEAM Emily Capen, Kalama: The senior outside hitter was Trico League MVP, leading the Chinooks to the district title and the 1A state tournament. Paige Hanes, Ridgefield: The junior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP, leading the Spudders in kills for a second consecutive season. Ella Eib, R.A. Long: The senior was 2A GSHL offensive co-MVP. She logged 362 kills with a .315 hitting average along with 110 blocks. Emmah Sanchez, Camas: The senior libero battled through injuries to lead the 4A GSHL in digs, averaging nearly four per set. Avery Seley, Columbia River: The senior finished as the program’s all-time assists leader, logging 587 this season including 120 at the state tournament. Alivia Snyder, Prairie: The senior stood out for her versatility as a setter, defender and hitter in helping Falcons to third place in state.

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