Yelm volleyball looks to build on heavy junior, senior classes for 2025 season

Returning to Yelm High School for her third season as volleyball head coach, Heidi DeFord said her Tornados sport the strongest offense they’ve had in recent memory and that the team will look to its strong junior and senior classes to build a successful season.

In an interview with the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, Sept. 8, DeFord said the team’s offense has been one of the biggest improvements throughout the early 2025 season.

“We’ve actually got more offense than we’ve ever had this year. We got a couple transfers in who definitely give us some more front row strength,” DeFord said. “We’re definitely stronger offensively going into this year. We’ll keep pushing on the defense and everything else, but that’s exciting news.”

DeFord believes the biggest example of the offensive improvement to date was the team’s 3-0 win over the River Ridge Hawks in its season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 3. She said the team’s execution was better than it’s been in the past, and that the team was “way lower error than (it’s) been.”

“The win was huge for us. Our practice before the game was really ugly, and I was like ‘OK, if we play like that we’re in trouble,’ and then they turned it around. It was nice to get that first win, and it was a relatively decisive win,” DeFord said. “To actually get the girls to see video and breakdown where we were lacking, even though we did get the win, helps them as well.”

The coach said she’s going to rely on the combination of seniors and juniors on the team to build a foundation for success in the season. DeFord and the Tornados have set goals to win its non-league games in the preseason and to take at least four or five games in the South Puget Sound League.

“We have seven seniors and five juniors, one sophomore on our roster. We’re not a younger team. Lilly Grant is one of the juniors. She was our leader in kills and blocks last year, and it’s nice having her back. We’ve got seven girls who returned from last year’s squad, and it’s nice to have them back. The first practice isn’t as rough because the bulk of them know what I want done,” DeFord said. “The SPSL is stacked. Every team is strong and solid and has a ton of year-round club players. I’m hoping to take some wins and surprise some people.”

The Tornados hit the court twice after the Nisqually Valley News went to publication, including a matchup on Tuesday, Sept. 9, against Black Hills and a contest on Wednesday, Sept. 10, against Stadium.

Next week, the Tornados will resume action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in a non-conference matchup against Shelton High School on the road. Then, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, Yelm will once again hit the road for its final preseason matchup against W.F. West.

“I’m really excited with how these girls are gelling together,” DeFord said. “Even with the transfers, the vibe is amazing and I’m really excited to see where they take off.”

The Tornados first SPSL matchup of the season is set for 7:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, at Emerald Ridge High School against the Jaguars. Its SPSL home opener will take place at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, against the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles.