Arizona volleyball will lose a powerful force on the pin when Jaelyn Hodge completes her eligibility this season. Fortunately for head coach Rita Stubbs, she’s bringing in another powerful force in Oregon City, Ore. outside hitter Paige Thies.
Thies was named the state volleyball player of the year by The Oregonian/OregonLive this week. The state’s volleyball coaches also named her 6A player of the year for the second straight season.
Screen shot from Paige Thies’ Instagram story
The honor came after Thies led Oregon City High to its second straight state title match. The two championship appearances are the only two in the school’s history. The Pioneers fell to Jesuit in both matches.
The 6-foot-2 Thies has a “heavy arm” in the words of Stubbs. The Oregonian concurs, noting that “few players in Oregon get the same velocity on the ball that Thies is able to.” That has earned Thies notice as the top recruit in the state according to Prep Dig. MaxPreps has named her the top player in Oregon for the past two seasons and honored her as a Junior All-American last year.
Thies and her team have gone 92-23 during her four years at Oregon City. They have won three straight championships in the Three Rivers League.
Thies is the only member of Arizona’s 2025 recruiting class who will definitely not be in town early for spring training. The Wildcats are certain that setter Chloe Giehtbrock, middle blocker Maya Flemister, and libero/defensive specialist Brookelyn Hatton will arrive in January. Opposite Renee Jones may join them.
Lead photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics