College Volleyball: Freshman from Adna already killing it for Red Devils

Lewis County Imports – Kendall Humphrey helps LCC continue making hay with C2BL recruits

Oct 07, 2025

LCC freshman Kendall Humphrey gets airborne for a big swing during an NWAC West volleyball contest against Centralia College, Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Smith Gymnasium. / Photo courtesy of LCC Athletics

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By Zach Martin / The Chronicle

NWAC Volleyball / Feature

Her sports may have dwindled from three to one, but Kendall Humphrey hasn’t changed a bit.

Always smiling, always cheering and always dominating on the volleyball court.

“It is nice to focus on one and prioritize volleyball,” Humphrey said.

It has been a stellar start to the junior college career for the former all-Central 2B League MVP, leading the Lower Columbia College volleyball team in kills at 173 through 15 matches. She’s also posted 160-plus digs as well as 18 service aces.

Humphrey has been averaging over three kills per set in helping the Red Devils try to get over the .500 threshold at 7-8 overall. More importantly, LCC sits at 3-1 in NWAC West play following back-to-back sweeps over Pierce and Green River.

“Making new connections and getting used to new people on the court is fun,” Humphrey said. “College seems so much bigger, it is just different.”

Lower Columbia outside hitter and Adna alumna Kendall Humphrey serves to Centralia during a match at Centralia College on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. — Lower Columbia outside hitter and Adna alum Kendall Humphrey serves to Centralia during sweep over Centralia College, Sept. 24, at Smith Gymnasium. / Otto Rabe — The Chronicle

One of the final matches in September had LCC coming north to take on Centralia College. It allowed Humphrey to see friends and old coaches after securing a sweep over their divisional rivals at Smith Gymnasium. The right-hander led the attack with 14 kills on the night, including the last one in a back-and-forth opening set.

She alongside Mossyrock grad Chesney Schultz are the two local products on the LCC roster.

“It was awesome,” Humphrey said.

Lower Columbia’s Kendall Humphrey moves into position after her team scored during a match at Centralia College on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. — LCC Red Devil Kendall Humphrey moves back into position after her team scored a point during a sweep over Centralia College Sept. 24, at Smith Gymnasium. The NWAC West match was a homecoming of sorts for the Adna High School alum. / Otto Rabe — The Chronicle

When LCC head coach Troy Shorey was recruiting Humphrey, he admittedly wasn’t sure how much impact she’d have in the front row. Throughout her prep career, Humphrey was primarily a middle hitter, but still was all over the court in each rotation.

As soon as Shorey saw her in practice and early-season contests, he had answers.

“She came in for workouts in the summer and just reminded us why we went after her,” he said. “She’s used to going against bigger blockers, so that has helped her make the transition (to the outside). She’s done a great job.”

Since basketball and softball were officially off the responsibility list, it allowed Humphrey to spend more time in the weight room and gym harnessing her craft. What has followed is 10 games with double digit kills.

And that’s a lot. Especially for a freshman from a 2B school living in a town with a stop light for the first time.

Her height is listed at 5-foot-8. She plays much taller.

“Her running a faster offense on the outside is not a big transition for her,” Shorey said.

LCC freshman Kendall Humphrey takes a big swing on offense during a sweep over Blue Mountain, Aug. 28, in Pendleton, Ore. / Photo courtesy of LCC Athletics

Humphrey feels the same. That is to say, she feels comfortable. And with just volleyball on her plate now, she can save all her jumping for getting above the net.

“It is nice to be able to jump and play bigger than I am,” Humphrey added. “Super grateful for him believing in me and my team believing in me, too.”

The NWAC West is jumbled at the top, with Centralia leading Lower Columbia and Highline by one game. The Red Devils will get five of the final nine league games at home in Myklebust Gymnasium. That stretch includes three games in 10 days against the trio of squads ahead of them.

For a player that has won numerous State titles and understands what it takes to win consistently, Humphrey knows what lies ahead.

“It has so much momentum behind it going into the rest of the league,” she said of the win over Centralia College. “My goals are a lot higher.”

And Shorey is glad he’s got that Lewis County talent on the sideline in his second season as head coach in Longview. The Red Devils are seeking a return to the postseason after an uphill battle in 2024.

“To the rest of the league, they’re gonna be a little bit surprised,” Shorey said. “She blends in with that group. They mesh really well.”

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LCC’s Kendall Humphrey gets above the net for a kill attempt during a sweep at Pierce College, Friday, Oct. 2. Humphrey posted 10 kills for the Red Devils in the win. / Photo courtesy of LCC Athletics

Last winter Humphrey was working double time playing high school basketball for the Pirates while moonlighting with Cowlitz Volleyball Club on the weekends. And it didn’t take long for the pride of Adna to make an impression on her teammates down south.

Those positive reviews also came from her club coach, Whitney (Luchau) Nailon, a former LCC Red Devil herself.

“My first impression of Kendall was that she’s powerful, smart, and composed,” Nailon said.

Her only (half-kidding) complaint was that the Adna basketball team was too good and Humphrey had to miss too many matches. Such is life for three-sport talents, until they get to college.

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