She’s a hit in Marysville

Tomahawk leader has ‘the hammer’

By ART CORRAL

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — Off the court, Ashley Isaksen is shy, quiet and unassuming, almost to a fault.

She is humble about her accomplishments, including those she achieved the past two seasons as a volleyball player at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

But on the court, she is an aggressive, confident, go to player.

The 6-foot, left-handed outside hitter is a three-year varsity letter winner. She has been named to the Western Conference 4A first team two years in a row, as well as being named to The Herald’s All-Area second team last year as a junior.

This year, she made the first team and has been selected as The Herald’s All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year.

Isaksen first started playing volleyball when she was 10, on a U-14 club team. She also played soccer, basketball and softball at a younger age. But most kids aren’t exposed to volleyball until somewhere around the fifth grade.

Isaksen’s older sister, Hilary, also played for Marysville-Pilchuck and head coach Shelley Johnson.

"While Hilary was practicing, Ashley was always around," Johnson said. "She always looked up to Hilary."

Johnson noticed at an early age that Isaksen could hit and set, "but she hit so good that I thought she should only be a hitter."

"Everyone on the team looked up to Isaksen," Johnson added. "She had the hammer. She had pressure on her to always come through in the clutch, which she did more often than not.

"She didn’t play against Cascade, and (Marysville-Pilchuck) lost. The girls were lost without their leader. Everyone looked to her for guidance. She was the leader. The girls would follow her example. If she struggled, they struggled. It wasn’t until later in the season that the rest of the girls stepped up, which relieved some of the pressure off of Isaksen."

Isaksen appreciated the camaraderie.

"I enjoyed the girls on the team," Isaksen said. "They were fun. We really didn’t hang out much, but when we were on the court, we had good chemistry."

She’s also grateful for the support of her family.

"They’ve come to all of my matches and tournaments since I was 10," she said.

The Tomahawks accomplished quite a bit this season. They were Wesco 4A co-champs, along with Kamiak and Cascade. In a tie-breaker to determine the seeding for the district tournament, they beat Kamiak, their arch-rivals.

"Beating Kamiak was a big deal for Ashley," Johnson said.

Isaksen ended her career at Marysville-Pilchuck with 574 kills, 126 blocks, 231 assists and a .966 serving percentage. She won’t be building on those numbers in college, deciding instead to concentrate on her studies. The only school she has applied to is the University of Washington.

"I think it’s going to be hard enough being a freshman in college," she said. "I don’t see me having the time."

Studies are clearly important to Isaksen. She is currently taking classes at Everett Community College as part of the Running Start program, earning credits for both high school and college.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

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.