Hall of Fame
Jodi Murphy
Hirayama Inducted into Hall of Fame, Annual ...

Alan Hirayama, a 33-year veteran volleyball referee, became the 11th inductee into the SAVRA Hall of Fame at the association’s annual awards banquet in November 2024. Hirayama has served as president, trainer, assistant assigner and assigner during his ongoing career, working high school and Division I college matches for the Pac-12, West Coast and Big Sky conferences.

Jodi Murphy
SAVRA in Action!
Jodi Murphy
On-Site Training Valuable for Officials

SAVRA orchestrated an on-court training session for its officials Oct. 2 at Ridgeline High School as the Falcons paired off against the Pullman Greyhounds.

Jodi Murphy
A packed house at Mt. Spokane-Mead matchup
Jodi Murphy
End of the Season Banquet Celebrates Service ...

Barb Twohig, inductee into the SAVRA Hall of Fame as well as Contributor of the Year honors. See the photo gallery of the celebration as well as the rest of the awards and ratings for 2023.

End of the Season Banquet Celebrates Service & Looks to the Future

February 2019 Newsletter

Gonwicks Wasting No Time 

Jason, Mallory and Gretta, aka Kit, at the HUB working a January match. For those who haven’t heard, Gretta is quite impatient. As Jason was preparing to transport Mallory to the hospital on Nov. 28, Gretta was born in their home on the kitchen floor. She’s obviously not one for wasting time. Mom and baby are doing well. Oh, and Jason has been appointed SAVRA's new secretary (see story below). 


PAVO Offering Spring Training Camps

Excellent opportunity for intermediate and advanced officials. Officials are videotaped calling spring college matches and reviewed with nationally trained clinicians. These camps span the country, and run mid-February through mid-April. Scholarships are available. To learn more, click on https://pavo.org/Training/Training-Camps 

December 2018 Newsletter

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday Season 

From all of us on the SAVRA Board of Directors and their advisers, may the blessings of this most Holy season be upon you and your families, and thanks for making this past year a special one for all of us. What do you say we do it again in 2019?

Wellman Newest Hall of Fame Member

Rusty Wellman, longtime referee, leader, trainer and mentor, became the seventh inductee into the SAVRA Hall of Fame on Nov. 19. But as impactful as Rusty has been in those roles, it may have been his professional conduct that distinguished him as much as anything else. He exemplifies the kind of official so many others aspire to be.

He began officiating his daughter’s matches, joined SAVRA in 1985 and by 1990 was officiating Division I college matches, earning both USAV and PAVO national ratings. He officiated one NCAA tournament, and several NWAC and WIAA state championship tournaments. In 2002, he received PAVO’s Meritorious Service Award for his work in helping develop and administer our advanced training program. He served as SAVRA assistant treasurer and advanced trainer, WOA state clinician, and as a member of the Rating Committee and advanced training cadre for all but one of the last 15 years.

Longtime Volleyball Ref Wellman Inducted into SAVRA Hall of Fame; Argotow-Jones Voted Area’s Top Referee

Longtime Volleyball Ref Wellman Inducted into SAVRA Hall of Fame; Argotow-Jones Voted Area’s Top Referee

Longtime volleyball referee, Rusty Wellman, became the seventh member of the Spokane Area Volleyball Referees Association’s Hall of Fame, inducted at the organization’s annual banquet Nov. 19. He has officiated volleyball for 34 years, all but five of those out of the Spokane board. He officiated in one NCAA Tournament, several NWAC championships and WIAA state tournaments. He is a longtime advanced trainer of officials in Spokane.

November 2018 Newsletter

A Wonderful State of the Union

Jason Gonwick and Brent Radford enjoyed their first experience calling a Washington State Volleyball Tourney, the 1B/2B at Yakima. Radford and Gonwick each called a semifinal match in the 1B tourney, and Radford was R1 in the championship match. Debbie Spray called a semi in the 1A Tournament, and Shawna Sheehan called the 3rd-4th place contest in the 2A tourney. Barb Twohig represents SAVRA in the 3A/4A Tourney, Nov. 16-17.     

Meet Your New Board and Advisers for 2019

SAVRA members have spoken, electing new officers, directors and advisers for 2019 [those elected this fall are boldfaced]. Each member serves through the year following their name.
President                        Keith Ward ('20)
Vice President                Ben Goodwin ('21)
Secretary                        Open ('19)
Past President                Patty Kells ('19)
Member-at-Large            Juli Jones ('20)
Member-at-Large            Brent Radford ('20)
Member-at-Large            Devin Darrough ('19)
Member-at-Large            Linda Kildew ('19)
Rating Committee           Debbie Spray ('21)
Rating Committee           Dale Goodwin ('20)
Rating Committee           Alan Hirayama ('19) 
Appeals Committee        Lisa Paull ('21)
Appeals Committee        Margie Ray ('20)
Appeals Committee          ? ('19)
Heartfelt thanks to our outgoing officers, directors and advisers: Heide Wehr, Shawna Sheehan, Rusty Wellman and Mike Pounds

October 2018 Newsletter

Nominate Yourself for a Board Position for 2019

Please consider nominating yourself, or other SAVRA members, for open positions on the Board of Directors. You can do that by emailing a letter of application to Vice President Keith Ward at sandkward@comcast.net. Or, nominations will be taken from the floor at SAVRA General Membership meetings Oct. 21 and 28. An electronic ballot will be emailed to each member Oct. 29. Voting concludes Nov. 3. Newly elected board members will be announced at our final meeting Nov. 4.

Construction Updates