Playing indoors, the Ridgeview volleyball team didn’t have to worry about recent sporting event cancellations because of poor air quality.

But the Ravens (8-4 overall) still overcame some challenges.

Doug Magee, who’d coached the Ravens the previous two seasons, resigned after the Aug. 30 season-opening victory against Culver. Heidi Wood, who had just joined Ridgeview as assistant coach, took on the head spot.

The Ravens say they are adjusting well to the change.

“It was definitely a shock, but it was definitely a good change,” said senior Josye Miller, an honorable mention all-IMC selection in 2016. “I think the whole coaching staff we’re bringing in will definitely be a good addition to our team.”

Wood, who co-owns Sears Hometown stores in Bend, Prineville and Madras as her day job, has coached the prestigious Rimrock Volleyball Club for the past 10 years. She also spends time following her daughter Hannah Troutman, a senior volleyball player at the University of Portland.

Another daughter, sophomore Rylee Troutman, is playing for the Ravens this year after transferring from Crook County, where she helped the Cowgirls reach the Class 4A state title game as a freshman.

Despite the adjustments, Wood and the players have high expectations. They see them written on the dry-erase board off the gymnasium each day. They have weekly goals, along with season-long goals. Those include finishing in the top 3 in the league and reaching the state tournament as one of the final eight playoff teams.

The players set the goals, but Wood agrees with them, she said.

Ridgeview was ranked seventh, just inside the target, in the most recent rankings. The Ravens got a boost Sept. 23 by winning the Oregon City Tournament, besting Class 6A teams Canby, Oregon City and David Douglas. Miller had 36 kills, 54 digs and 12 aces on 42-of-46 serving in the tournament, while Allison Henry had 32 digs and Josilyn Remick had 72 assists.

The Ravens picked up their first league win Sept. 21, with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-23 victory against Mountain View, which moved them to 1-1 in IMC play.

The IMC will be tough, with Bend and Summit, the last two 5A state champions. But Ridgeview split with the Lava Bears in two matches they played against each other in early-season tournaments. Ridgeview was scheduled to face Bend for the first time in league play the evening of Sept. 26, after the Spokesman’s print deadline.

“The girls truly want to be better,” Wood said. “They’re tired of being the team everybody expects to beat.”

Wood knows several Ridgeview players, including Miller, from club coaching, but the move has still taken some adjustment. That includes going down to three hour practices, compared to practices of up to four hours in club season, which runs from November through May.

She finally got an assistant coach, Brian Moody, on board last week. Wood said the program has a good group of coaches, including junior varsity coach Katie Nurge, a second-team all-state selection and member of Ridgeview’s first graduating class in 2014, and JV 2 coach Tinker Helgerson.

“We’re all working toward the same goal, and we’re all working to get better,” Wood said.

Ridgeview plays Saturday at a tournament in Hood River, before returning home Tuesday to face rival Redmond.

Miller, who overcame a broken ankle to have a successful season last year, said the team is capable of more this time.

“I think we definitely have a very close-knit team,” she said. “We’re very strong as a group. Nothing has come between us, so far.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com