North Kitsap's Baugh named Kitsap Sun female athlete of the year for 2023
Sophia Baugh faced a daunting task entering high school at North Kitsap. Her three older sisters — Sarah, Leah and Rebekah — were standout athletes with the Vikings in volleyball and girls basketball, so Sophia faced high expectations as a freshman starter in both sports.
The youngest Baugh didn't shrink when given the opportunity to shine and perhaps be the best Baugh of the bunch.
"It was kind of like a competition," Baugh said. "I wanted to be better than all of them."
Baugh is the pick for Kitsap Sun female athlete of the year for 2023.
North Kitsap volleyball coach Kaelea Makaiwi described Baugh's leadership ability as "infectious." Vikings girls basketball coach Karla Devries agreed.
"She is such a natural athlete, but at the same time doesn't take that for granted," Devries said. "That talent, combined with her amazing work ethic, has made her the athlete that was worthy of this award."
Baugh played a major role in the Vikings' success on the volleyball court in the fall. The Olympic League 2A most valuable player led North Kitsap (21-4) with 639 assists, 304 digs, 18 blocks and 167 kills. She concluded her career with a school-record 2,281 assists.
Like her sister Sarah, who played collegiately at Boise State University, Sophie played setter. It's a skill that requires years of dedication and practice to master, but it also requires a player to be able to adjust to teammates' hitting abilities.
“It definitely is hard, mentally and physically, because you have to put the ball in a specific spot every time for different hitters," Baugh said.
On the basketball court, Baugh earned Olympic League 2A first-team honors after averaging 17.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The Vikings finished 12-12, falling one win shy of clinching a state tournament berth.
Baugh is headed to Point Loma Nazarene University, an NCAA Division II school in San Diego. Baugh said Sea Lions volleyball coach Jonathon Scott was scouting another player on her club team, Dakine, when her recruitment began.
"They weren't supposed to take a setter in my grade," Baugh said. "He told me he didn't want to pass up on me. I was very lucky."
Baugh looks forward to the challenges of collegiate volleyball "and being able to play as a part of this team, the same girls for four years, and playing at a totally different level than I’ve played at before.”
Past Winners
2022: Ella Hopper, South Kitsap
2021: Alyssa Cullen, North Kitsap
2020: Noey Barreith, North Kitsap
2019: Brittany Kwon, Central Kitsap
2018: Danya Wallis, North Kitsap
2017: Danya Wallis, North Kitsap
2016: Danielle Monzon, Olympic
2015: Desere'e Doty, Crosspoint
2014: Desere'e Doty, Crosspoint
2013: Reagan Colyer, North Kitsap
2012: Tracy Landram, Klahowya
2011: Erynne Lee, Central Kitsap; Tracy Landram, Klahowya
2010: Ruby Roberts, Kingston
2009: Lindsay Willmann, Bainbridge
2008: Emily Farrar, Bainbridge; Jacki Hill, Bremerton
2007: Hannah Stuart, Bainbridge
2006: Anne Scott, Bainbridge
2005: Brooke Nall, Bainbridge; Stephanie Davison, South Kitsap
2004: Emily Silver, Bainbridge
2003: Tiffany McDonald, North Mason; Emily Silver, Bainbridge
2002: Dana Kirk, Bremerton
2001: Nicole Zygmontowicz, Central Kitsap
2000: Tara Kirk, Bremerton
1999: Britt Themann, Bainbridge
1998: Anne Morgan, Bainbridge
1997: Chelsie Pentz, Central Kitsap
1996: Rachel Davenport, Central Kitsap; Keri McCallum, South Kitsap
1995: Kari Meigs, Central Kitsap
1994: Leah Francis, North Mason
1993: Yashiva Edwards, Central Kitsap
1992: Danielle Fessler, South Kitsap
1991: Cassie Jackson, South Kitsap
1990: Kristen Kane, North Kitsap
1989: Christina Marshall, Bainbridge
1988: Janet Soderberg, Bremerton
1987: Rosie Zimsen, Bellarmine/South Kitsap
1986: Laura Geschke, Bremerton
1985: Donna Monette, South Kitsap
1984: Patti Pendergast, Olympic
1983: Pam Clark, North Kitsap
1982: Laura Dahl, Bremerton
1981: Sarah Allen, Bainbridge
1980: Lori Carver, Bremerton
1979: Lori Carver, Bremerton
1978: Tammie Mason, South Kitsap
1977: Julie Ramstead, North Kitsap
1976: June Griebel, South Kitsap
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: North Kitsap Sophia Baugh Kitsap Sun female athlete of the year 2023
