The Cascade Christian Cougars volleyball team embarks on its fourth consecutive trip to Yakima for the WIAA Volleyball State Championships. And for the final time in four seasons, Jenica Walling — one of the finest to ever suit up for the blue, teal, and white — is set to represent her school one last weekend. The third-seeded Cougars enter the state tournament with hopes of another deep run toward a title.
Walling recently announced her Division I commitment to play beach volleyball for Cal State Bakersfield. She became only the second volleyball player in Cascade Christian history to commit to a Division I program, following former teammate Layne Dent, who currently plays for Saint Mary’s indoor volleyball team. Walling joins a list of three other Division I commits in school history, along with Dent, including Alexandra Altomare (’25, San Diego State Cheer) and Cassidy Collins (’22, Washington State University Cheer).
Jenica posted this statement on Instagram @jenica.walling:
“I am so grateful and excited to announce that I have verbally committed to play D1 beach volleyball for California State University Bakersfield!
I want to first thank the Lord for giving me the ability to play the sport I love. Thank you for how you made me, how you lead me, and for saving my life!
I want to thank Mom, Dad, Jed, Kara, and Grandpa for the endless love and sacrifices, and to all my amazing family and friends for the support throughout this journey.
Thank you to my Dakine Volleyball coaches, especially Coach Tony Howell as well as TJ, KB, and Chris Kingyens, who have poured into me and shaped me into the player I am today. Thank you Chris Hanneman and David Smallwood for giving me my start in this sport.
A big thanks to my CCS family — Dr. Kristoff, Roger Smith, Sammy Bratz, Mylea Hughes, DJ Heltsley, Cascade Christian Athletics, and all my friends for the prayers and constant encouragement.
Finally, thank you to Coach Andy for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity! I can’t wait to play for you and compete in the Big West Conference!
Go Runners!!”
The commitment is a testament to her strong support system, which includes her mother.
“Jenica has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal of playing collegiate beach volleyball, and I’ve watched her make many tough sacrifices along the way. I’ve had a front-row seat to the blood, sweat, and tears this dream has required. But I’ve also seen how it’s shaped her as a person and taught her valuable lessons of perseverance — how to overcome challenges, how to win, how to lose, and to never quit striving for goals.
She has a determined spirit that is unique and remarkable in this generation.
I admire her greatly, not only because she is an exceptional athlete, but even more so because of the person she is on the inside. She is a young woman of strong character, a strong work ethic, and a joy and passion for life.
Jenica would wholeheartedly agree that she hasn’t accomplished this goal alone. She’s had incredible coaches, mentors, teammates, friends, and family pour into her along the way, and she wouldn’t be where she is without them.
The Lord has blessed her in countless ways, and I am beyond grateful to be her mom. We are incredibly proud parents and can’t wait to see how God directs her life!”
— Jenny Walling, Mother / Cascade Christian Volleyball Assistant Coach
For Jenica, her journey would not have been possible without her family.
“My mom and my dad poured into me the most. Whether it was devoting their time, finances, emotional support, or through prayer, my parents were always there to remind me of my purpose and help me reset.
My grandpa was also huge. He helped financially and came to every match he could. He always reminded me of my accomplishments and gave me confidence every time I chatted with him. My siblings were also pivotal — if I ever needed anything, they were there.”
Walling’s athletic journey originally revolved around basketball. Her trajectory changed when her grandpa, Rick Wells, brought up the idea of playing beach volleyball. She became enamored with the sport after watching an indoor match at the University of Washington. Although she led the state in steals as a freshman basketball player at Cascade Christian, Walling decided to pursue collegiate beach volleyball exclusively. “I never regretted that decision,” she said.
Her appreciation for beach volleyball comes from its unique demands and accountability. “In beach, playing 2×2 tests your skill set as a player — you can’t hide.”
Like many athletes, one of the toughest battles Jenica faced was internal. After the Cougars finished fourth in state her freshman year and reached the quarterfinals the year after, Walling wrestled with her emotions. “After my sophomore year, I was overwhelmed with self-doubt. My standards for how I played were so high that I became emotionally spent. It took a while before I snapped out of my own doubts. After seeing other girls commit, I knew I wanted to go to college. The turning point came during my junior indoor season.”
Cascade Christian’s indoor volleyball program was coming off back-to-back state appearances — a quarterfinal in 2024 and a semifinal in 2023. A third straight trip to state would mark only the second time in school history the program had accomplished that feat.
The regular season saw the Cougars face tough competition. Head Coach Mylea Hughes built a non-league schedule designed to prepare for state. The season began with three 4A opponents. Straight-set wins over Rogers and Sumner were followed by a hard-fought five-set loss to eventual 4A state placer Puyallup. From there, the Cougars went on a tear, finishing 1A regular season play having dropped only one set — to Cedar Park Christian.
In the postseason, Cascade Christian won the District 3 Championship for a second consecutive year. At state, the Cougars defeated upstart Seton Catholic and longtime rival King’s en route to the semifinals. There, they faced La Center — the team that eliminated them the previous year — and this time rebounded, taking the final three sets to advance to the title match.
“Jenica has been one of the hearts and souls of our program these past four years, leading as captain with unwavering determination and a deep sense of purpose. Her commitment to excellence, both on and off the court, helped drive our team all the way to the 1A State Championship match. She’s an encourager and a young woman of strong faith who leads by example. Cal State Bakersfield is getting not just an exceptional athlete but an incredible person.”
— Mylea Hughes, Cascade Christian Volleyball Head Coach
Chelan went on to win its fifth straight state championship, but the season reignited Jenica’s drive to compete at the Division I beach level.
Her junior year journey was crafted by an experience made by her many teammates. Among those teammates who shaped her journey was Layne Dent — Cascade Christian’s first female Division I commit. Standing at 6’2”, Dent was a dominant offensive presence at the net. Jenica on Dent said, “What I admire about Layne is how lighthearted she is. She embraced the different skill sets of her teammates and never let volleyball control her life. Her example of staying calm and taking her faith seriously is something I carry with me.”
That same bond extended to her classmate, Sophie Janho. “She FaceTimed me nearly every beach tournament I played in and talked me through the journey. Sophie prays for me often — she’s truly been an incredible sister to me.”
“I’m so proud of Jenica for officially committing! Watching her put in the work, stay focused, and chase her dream has been so inspiring. Her dedication, heart, and hustle got her there — and it’s just the beginning. I can’t wait to see all that she’ll accomplish at Cal State Bakersfield. They’ve got a good one heading their way.”
— Sophie Janho, Cascade Christian Teammate
For Jenica, her junior season reignited her passion for volleyball. “We were a special team — all of the girls were selfless, which made playing such a pleasure. We played goofy and focused. There was no drama. We had a common goal and knew we could accomplish it. God truly bonded us together.”
Personally, her mindset on volleyball changed. “My confidence grew after state and taught me a new perspective for how I should act on the court. I am there to be a light for the Lord, no matter how I play.”
That mindset carried into the summer, as colleges sought her commitment. “I prayed about my journey and future, asking the Lord where He wanted to place me.”
In came Cal State Bakersfield — a university of nearly 11,000 students. The opportunity both on the court and in the classroom caught Jenica’s attention. “To help build Coach Andy’s program in a new direction while pursuing a nursing degree is a lifelong dream of mine.”
Walling credits her strong foundation in part to her club, DaKine Volleyball — “designed for players who want to train and compete in a fun yet competitive environment, building both technical skills and mental toughness.” She praises the coaching staff and teammates who helped shape her journey.
“Coach Chris [Kingyens] always kept me accountable. He had an enthusiasm that was infectious. Director TJ [Staples] brought so much organization and identified areas to improve quickly — he was huge in recruiting and keeping practices fun. Coach Tony [Howell] emphasized the mental side, teaching me to be mindful and breathe after every point.”
“Jenica Dawn is a gift. I am absolutely privileged and fortunate to share time with such an amazing young woman who is kind, loving, passionate, and compassionate. I am beyond grateful for the gift God has blessed me with named Jenica!!”
— Tony Howell, DaKine Head Coach
The DaKine program has produced numerous Division I athletes in recent years, including several members of last year’s 4A state champion Curtis High team. Jenica credits Avery Cukjati (Santa Clara) and Ari Medchill (South Florida) for pushing her to compete at her best. Her regular practice partners — Reagan Cook (UC Davis) and Anna Sheeran (North Thurston HS) — were also instrumental. “Those four were huge in my journey. We faced the same challenges and stood the course together.”
“Jenica is one of the most hardworking people I know. As her longtime friend and beach partner, I’ve been inspired by her journey. Her fire, work ethic, and determination made her a fierce competitor. Even though we’re both defenders, she was always my number one pick as a partner — nobody could match our fire and grit. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for her at CSUB. She’s unstoppable — just like her nickname, Jenica the WALLing.”
— Reagan Cook, DaKine Teammate
At Cascade Christian, she also credits the staff who guided her path. “[Principal] Dr. Kristoff was instrumental in helping with recruiting — he played Division I football and gave me confidence. [Assistant AD] Sammy Bratz was so encouraging, always praying and bringing laughter during tense moments. [Junior High AD] Roger Smith always fired me up to play my best, and [Athletic Director] DJ Heltsley was a great sounding board who helped me stay locked in.”
“Jenica Walling is an amazing young lady who loves God, loves others, and competes fiercely. Watching her pursue her dream of playing collegiate beach volleyball has been inspiring, and CSUB couldn’t be getting a better person. Jenica has led our volleyball program admirably, and I’m excited to watch her finish her senior season at State before taking on her next challenge in California. I have no doubt she’ll make her Cougar Family proud at CSUB!”
— DJ Heltsley, Athletic Director, Cascade Christian
In her senior year, Jenica hasn’t missed a beat. She’s posted career highs with 408 kills and 25 blocks entering state, along with 13 double-doubles (kills/digs). The Cougars, at 16–4, claimed both the Nisqually League and District titles for a third straight year while tallying a fourth consecutive trip to state — a first in program history.
For Jenica, this final indoor season has given her a new sense of leadership. “This season I’ve trusted in my training. My goal is to exude energy and lead in a way that brings out the best in my team.”
Her impact has been displayed by not only those close to her, but to her opponents. Monday, Jenica was announced as 2025 Nisqually League MVP. “Hard work from so many paid off, I am so grateful for the people that pushed me along the way.”
When asked what she’ll miss most about indoor volleyball, Walling reflected: “I’ll miss the community — being able to play with girls who love the Lord, know each other deeply, and a coaching staff that made it so fun. It leaves an indelible mark on my journey.”
When asked how she’d like to be remembered, she replied:
“A leader who united her team when times got tough. While I strive to be remembered as someone capable of playing at the Division I level, I hope to be known even more for making faith my top priority and maintaining a healthy balance in the day to day.”
The Cougars begin Walling’s fourth trip to State on Friday, November 14th, against Columbia (White Salmon) at 9AM.
This weekend marks a crossroads for Jenica — a farewell to indoor volleyball and a step into her beach future.
“I look forward to taking my game to the next level. My goal is to be in the best shape of my life, building friendships, and pouring into my teammates. Being a part of Coach Andy’s mission is something I’m eager to embrace as I hit the ground running next year.”
It’s a journey that began on the hardwood but found new life in the sand — a dream pursued against doubt, fueled by faith, and fulfilled through perseverance. Now, the pioneering Cougar phenom looks to leave a lasting legacy before trading the blue, teal, and white for the royal blue and gold.
Northwest Sports Desk 