Westview girls volleyball jumped five spots to No. 3 in the first in-season Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) 6A coaches poll, released Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The Wildcats earned 72 poll points with a 4-2 record through Wednesday, Sept. 9, up from No. 8 in the preseason. As we reported Sept. 14, the team has since won additional matches and stood at 5-2 heading into this week.

The rise puts Westview squarely in the state-title conversation after the program missed the 6A state tournament last season for the first time in four years.

Sprague leads the poll with six first-place votes, an 8-1 record and 117 points, according to the Hillsboro News-Times. Metro League rival Jesuit sits at No. 2 with five first-place votes, a 5-1 record and 115 points. Jesuit has won three straight state championships and was the preseason No. 1.

The OSAAtoday coaches poll has no impact on OSAA playoff rankings, which are determined by a separate ratings system.

Head coach Janelle Brandt's roster features three four-year varsity captains: first-team all-league hitter Ashlyn Pedersen, first-team all-league libero Mady Lebeck and second-team all-league outside hitter Abbey Meier. Meier missed part of last season with an injury but has returned healthy.

Brandt said in a Sept. 14 season preview by the Beaverton Valley Times that the team's goal is to be among the final eight teams playing. She said the Wildcats are "using last year's loss as motivation to get there."

Junior setter Logan Kekaualua is running a new five-one offense after the graduation of fellow setter Catherine Chang. The 13-player roster includes six seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

Westview's early losses came against Central Catholic, now ranked No. 5, and Sheldon, now No. 9. The Wildcats have won five straight since those opening defeats, beating La Salle Prep, Nelson, South Salem, Ida B. Wells and McDaniel.

Nelson, the preseason No. 5, dropped out of the poll at 2-3. Preseason No. 9 Forest Grove also fell out at 3-2.

Brandt told the Beaverton Valley Times that a Metro League championship is a top priority. That path runs through Jesuit. Westview has finished second in the Metro League in recent years, losing to the Crusaders in five sets in a de facto league title match last season.