Jackson’s Paige Wilson digs a ball at the Timberwolves’ team practice on Oct. 24 at Jackson High School in Mill Creek. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Jackson’s Paige Wilson digs a ball at the Timberwolves’ team practice on Oct. 24 at Jackson High School in Mill Creek. (Katie Webber / The Herald)

Q&A with Jackson volleyball player Paige Wilson

The Timberwolves’ senior loves working with kids with special needs at Camp Prov in the summer.

From a young age, Paige Wilson seemed destined to wear a Jackson High School volleyball uniform.

Now a senior, Wilson started playing when she was 7 years old, and since her neighbor was Ashley Allen, then the Timberwolves’ head coach, she had the opportunity to serve as the team’s water girl.

Wilson’s older sister, Casey, also played for Jackson, graduating in 2016.

Jackson has enjoyed success in Wilson’s four years, reaching the Class 4A state tournament in 2017 and finishing each season in the top half of Wesco 4A.

As one of three seniors on a youth-laden roster, Wilson, is leading the Timberwolves in their quest for a No. 2 seed out of Wesco 4A behind Lake Stevens and a first-round bye in the 4A Wes-King Bi-District Tournament, which begins Saturday.

“We had a rough start to the beginning of the season (consecutive five-set losses to Glacier Peak and Mount Vernon on Sept. 24 and 26), but we have really pushed in practice to get better in the second half of the season. Our biggest adjustment has been in our mental game,” Wilson said. “Our skills have always been there, it was just a matter of not getting frustrated and getting down on ourselves. We believe that we can win.”

Wilson, who has verbally committed to NCAA Division III Pomona-Pitzer in California, has been at the center of the Timberwolves’ resurgence, seeking to vary the timing and power on her swings to befuddle opposing blockers.

“Paige has really developed her ability to swing her hands and fool the blockers,” Jackson coach Mindy Staudinger said. “She has also developed a hidden roll shot that can be very deceptive. She is also a strong blocker, making right sides really work on shots to get around her.”

Staudinger referenced an Oct. 22 match at second-place Mount Vernon, when she called a timeout with the Timberwolves up 2-1 in the fourth set.

“I said that someone needed to step up and lead,” Staudinger said. “Paige did, swinging for several points to finish the fourth set, then serving us from seven points to 15 in the last set, ending the match.”

The Herald spoke with Wilson about fooling opposing blockers, her summer job that’s not really a job, and “Sergeant Mike.”

What does it take to win five-set matches, especially in the postseason? Is it more about talent and ability or desire and toughness?

I definitely think it’s more about desire and toughness. You have to believe that even if you’ve lost games, you can still win that final game. It takes good strength and conditioning. I feel like our team has the capability to keep going where other teams might run out of endurance. We have a strength and conditioning coach, “Sergeant Mike” (retired NATO special forces officer Mike Lawson) who works with our program twice per week (doing) a lot of strength and agility drills.

What makes you a tough hitter to block?

I think I’ve been changing my shots up a lot, and I really try to not hit where I’m looking. I’ve been working on a roll shot for a long time. I pretend I’m going up to take a big swing, and I hit the ball low on my palm, and it’s a soft shot that goes right over the block and lands in the middle of the court.

Outside of volleyball, what are you passionate about?

I like to get really involved in my school. I’m in five clubs, and all my friends and I always go to all the football games. I have a summer job, where I work at Camp Prov, a summer camp (at Everett’s Forest Park) for kids with special needs. It’s my favorite thing in the world to do. I love working with kids and working in that field. The kids can be anywhere from 18 months to 11 years old.

What might you be interested in studying in college or pursuing as a career?

I want to go into neuroscience with a minor in computer science. I want to do brain research and work with AI to study Alzheimer’s.

Describe the feeling of getting a perfect swing on a ball and watching it slam to the floor on the other side of the net.

Honestly, the best way to describe it is that it’s very satisfying. It’s kind of a release. I always go over to my setter and thank her for setting a perfect ball, because so many things go into it. It gets me excited and almost a little aggressive. I just want to get that next ball and keep getting set. But I like blocking and digging almost better than hitting. When someone goes up and thinks they’re going to get this massive kill, and you can get it blocked or get the ball up, that’s something you don’t always get. It can be more exciting than getting a good kill.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox pitcher Teddy McGraw delivers a pitch during Everett's 13-1 win against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 15, 2025. The 23-year-old allowed just one walk and struck out four batters over three hitless innings after earning the start in his High-A debut. (Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Teddy McGraw overcomes ‘long road’ in near-perfect AquaSox debut

The 23-year-old tosses 3 hitless innings after recovering from his third major arm injury.

AquaSox infielder Luis Suisbel follows through on a two-run home run during Everett's 13-1 win against Tri-City at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 15, 2025. The Valencia, Venezuela native hit two of Everett's five homers on the afternoon. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox blow past Tri-City to close out homestand on Father’s Day

Luis Suisbel hits two of Everett’s five homers, and Teddy McGraw stars in debut during 13-1 win.

J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after the game against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park on June 15, 2025, in Seattle. The Mariners won 6-0. (Stephen Brashear / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners complete sweep with 6-0 win

The Guardians entered their weekend series against the Mariners looking… Continue reading

AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson takes a swing during Everett's 3-2 win against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 14, 2025. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Emerson walks off Tri-City to extend AquaSox win streak

The Mariners’ top prospect hits an RBI-single to seal 3-2 win; Batista has 2 RBI in return.

Everett AquaSox infielder Michael Arroyo receives high-fives in the dugout during Everett's 8-1 win against Tri-City at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 13, 2025. The 20-year-old Colombia native had two home runs and a career-high six RBI. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Arroyo’s big night lifts AquaSox to 8-1 win over Tri-City

The 20-year-old smacks 2 homers and a career-high 6 RBI while extending hit streak to 10.

Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont was named CHL Rookie of the Year at the 2025 CHL Awards in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Josh Kim / Canadian Hockey League)
Tips’ Landon DuPont named CHL Rookie of the Year

The 16-year-old is the first defenseman in 30 years, and first Silvertip ever, to win the award.

Stanwood sophomore Addi Anderson in The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Pitcher of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Pitcher of the Year: Addi Anderson

The Stanwood sophomore had a 1.32 ERA to lead the Spartans to a district championship.

Michael Arroyo hit a 2-run home run for the Everett AquaSox in an 11-4 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox pitching goes cold in loss to Dust Devils

Although they held a first-inning lead, the Everett AquaSox fell… Continue reading

Seahawks defense end Leonard Williams (99) participates in a workout at minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks bond over stories of their paths to football glory

Leonard Williams’ path to the NFL included stints of homelessness.

Jackson senior and UW commit Allie Thomsen is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Hitter of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Hitter of the Year: Allie Thomsen

The Jackson senior had a .544 batting average and 1.600 OPS while striking out just once.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers during Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (David Santiago / Tribune News Services)
Panthers blow lead, Oilers even Stanley Cup Final series

The game probably shouldn’t have gotten to this point.… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.