The offseason is short, especially when you go far in the postseason. That’s the lesson for the Arizona Wildcats volleyball team.
The program won its first postseason title by making a run through the NIVC last month. Now, the Wildcats turn to the future, which will begin this month with most of the 2025 class enrolling early. Arizona has a number of questions if it wants to improve on its finish this year and make it back to the NCAA Tournament in 2025.
Paige Thies named Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year
Signee Paige Thies wrapped up her high school volleyball career with a school record 1,823 kills. It earned her yet one more accolade.
The outside hitter from Oregon City was named the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday morning. It’s her second straight Gatorade honor as the state’s top volleyball player. That goes into her trophy case alongside her two straight honors as the Oregonian’s Player of the Year and three straight awards for the Three Rivers League Player of the Year.
From the Instagram story of Paige Thies
During her time at Oregon City High School, the Pioneers went 92-23. They were 23-7 this year. The last two seasons ended in the 6A state title game. Although they lost both matches to Jesuit, the appearances were the first two for Oregon City in the program’s history.
Thies had 520 kills on a .517 kill percentage and a .382 hitting percentage as a senior. On the defensive side, she accounted for 131 digs. She aced her opponents 69 times in 30 matches.
PrepDig ranks the 6-foot-2 pin as the No. 39 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class. The outlet has her as the top recruit in the state of Oregon.
Early enrollment decisions
Thies will not enroll at Arizona early like most of her 2025 classmates. It has long been known that middle blocker Maya Flemister, setter Chloe Giehtbrock, and libero/defensive specialist Brookelyn Hatton would be in Tucson in January. It was still up in the air whether opposite Renee Jones would be, but the decision for her to accompany the other three was finalized last week.
Opposite competition
The decision for Thies not to come early means she will not be available for spring tournaments. Those tournaments could have been to her advantage.
While Arizona has returning starters Jordan Wilson and Carlie Cisneros fairly ensconced on the left pin where Thies traditionally plays, it is in desperate need of replacing the production of Jaelyn Hodge on the right side. Coming early might have allowed Thies to compete for that spot, but if she is going to get time over there, that can’t be determined until practice starts next August.
The Wildcats weren’t able to add an opposite from the portal in time for spring. There’s still a chance they could get a transfer later, but the competition will be internal for now.
Jones coming in early is a big deal. While she has experience at the position and good size, there are still questions about how she will translate to the college game. The early enrollment will undoubtedly help her.
Other options on the right side are rising junior Sydney Vanek and senior-to-be Ana Heath. Vanek has played as a reserve pin on both the left and right her first two seasons. Heath spent her first three years primarily as a setter.
Vanek is extremely athletic and can jump out of the gym. The dual-sport athlete made it to the U.S. Olympic trials as a long jumper following her freshman year. However, she is still a fairly raw volleyball player after two years in college and her spring will again be split between volleyball and track.
Heath has the advantage of being a lefty, which is especially helpful on the right side. She played both setter and pin in high school. She got limited experience as a college opposite during her freshman and junior seasons.
With Avery Scoggins taking a firm grasp of the starting setter position, moving to opposite would allow Heath to get on the floor her senior year. It would also allow Arizona to get more use of her strong serve.
Jaelyn Hodge’s pro career is underway in Puerto Rico
Hodge spent New Year’s Eve attending an Arizona women’s basketball game. She was on a plane to Puerto Rico just a couple of days later.
Hodge posted pictures of her first practice with Valencianas de Juncos on Jan. 4.
From Jaelyn Hodge’s Instagram story
Hodge and her team get underway with their first match on Jan. 17 against Caguas.
Another recruit
Arizona added another L/DS to the 2025 class in December. Shea Davis of Elkhart, Ind. committed to the Wildcats on Dec. 20. She was formally announced by UA on Tuesday.
Highlights for Davis can be found on her Hudl profile page.
Lead photo courtesy of Paige Thies