LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State Volleyball announced its first signing from the high school class of 2024 on Wednesday in Oakesdale, Wash., native Payton Davis. The setter/opposite hitter will join the Warriors in the fall of 2024.
“Payton is the perfect recruit to kick off our 2024 class; a high-level recruit with a huge list of individual and team accolades and wants to be part of a team that is looking to make history,” Head Coach Shaun Pohlman said. “She is a driven athlete determined to improve her ability and level of the play for herself and her team. She wants to excel for herself and expects her team to perform at elite levels. That is what we were looking for in a recruit and are excited to have Payton join us in the fall of 2024.”
“The Warriors got themselves a good one,” Davis’ club coach Drew Pascua said. “Payton is a very intellectual player that has high-level ball control and range on offense, and is on her way to becoming a great leader. It has been my pleasure to coach her and be around her passion to learn and grow every time she is in the gym. I’m excited to see the impact she has for LC.”
Davis prepped at Oakesdale High School, winner of nine of the last 11 State championships in volleyball. Davis was a member of the 2021 and 2022 State Champion teams, as well and 2019-22 Academic State Champion teams. She helped the team to an undefeated record in league play every season since 2020.
“Payton is versatile and athletic in that she can provide an offensive footing in both setting and hitting, but is tenacious and hungry to fight for points and keep the ball off the ground on the defensive charge,” Pohlman said. “Most ‘Jack of All Trades, Master of None Athletes’ tend to be good at many things and not great at any of them. For Payton, this is different because she is great at many skills and continues to dedicate her time and efforts to perform all those skills at an elite level.”
Davis has been an all-league selection since 2019 and was voted First-Team All-State in 2022. She was also named to the PrepDigPNW list of top recruits in Washington.
“The level of competition in the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference excitements me because of how it will improve my game,” Davis said. “There are multiple teams that have extraordinary talent.
“Attending LC State camps made me realize how at home I felt after interacting with the coaches and players,” Davis added. “I really appreciated how many reps I was given at the camps and how much I was challenged on improving my techniques. The coaches and players were very positive and put in a lot of effort to help me expand my knowledge of the game. Taking part in these camps helped me realize that LC state is the perfect place for me because of its challenging, hardworking, and positive atmosphere.”
