If There Were an Oregon 18U All-Star Club Team

A shout out to Chris Fitzgerald for this awesome article idea. A hypothetical scenario, but a fun one. What if Oregon were to put its best-rising seniors together, to create a powerhouse 18U team? Did I mention most of them are uncommitted? College coaches, be on the lookout for these studs! Outside Hitter: [player_tooltip player_id="91106" first="Daley" last="McClellen"], 5’11", OH, Canby High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, University of Oregon McClellan, a three-year Varsity starter at Canby High School, has helped the Cougars become a dominant program. Awarded Three Rivers First Team All-League all three years and winning Player of the Year 2019 for the Three Rivers League, she has solidified her legacy within the Canby volleyball program. With McClellan playing all six rotations for the Cougars, they advanced to the semi-finals in the State tournament, finishing 3rd, a first for Canby volleyball. At State, she was awarded First Team All-State for 6A. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy on their 18-1 National team. She has committed to play at the University of Oregon. Outside Hitter: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX-41_pJn_Y&list=PLBWT3L78OBa89Uk_aaGaHNvOKOAded4xY">[player_tooltip player_id="91107" first="Audra" last="Wilmes"]</a>, 6’2", OH, West Linn High School, North Pacific Juniors, University of Washington Wilmes, playing all six rotations, helped the West Linn Lions secure a fifth-place State finish in 2019 and was awarded Three Rivers First Team All-League as well as Second Team All-State for the tournament. She is an explosive outside who attacks with great range and intensity no matter where she is on the court. During her 16U club season, she played for North Pacific Juniors and was given the opportunity to play for their 18-1 National team which finished first in the region. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors on their 18-1 National team again. She has committed to play at the University of Washington. Outside/Right Side Hitter: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12329356/Clarissa-Klein">[player_tooltip player_id="91111" first="Clarissa" last="Klein"]</a>, 6’1", OH, Wilsonville High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Klein, a two-year Varsity starter for Wilsonville High School, uses her 6’1” stature as a pin hitter to her advantage. She racked up 278 kills, hitting a .333, as well as 34 total blocks last season. Not only can she offensively play well, but in the back row, she uses her athleticism to keep her team in system, totaling 154 digs. Often not seen in high school level play, Klein has a lethal topspin jump serve which helped her accrue 66 aces, a 23.7% ace percentage. She was awarded Northwest First Team All-League and Second Team All-State for the 5A tournament. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy18-1 National team. Libero/Defensive Specialist: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14204209/Caitlin-Gay">[player_tooltip player_id="91112" first="Caitlin" last="Gay"]</a>, 5’7″, DS, Canby High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Gay had an interesting junior season, playing outside hitter for the Canby Cougars, even though she has played libero her entire career. With her impeccable court awareness and volleyball IQ, this transition was fairly seamless, garnering her Three Rivers League Honorable Mention. In the previous season, she was awarded Three Rivers Second Team All-League as the Cougars libero. As a freshman, she made Three Rivers First Team All-League playing libero for Lakeridge High School, before transferring to her neighborhood public school, Canby. With the help of Gay’s exceptional defense and smart attacking, the Cougars finished 3rd in the state. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 National. Libero/Defensive Specialist: Zoe Ngyuen, 5’8″, DS, St. Mary’s Academy, Athena Volleyball Academy Nguyen had another stellar season for St. Mary’s Academy, stepping back into her role as their primary setter. During club season, she trains as a defensive specialist, but the Blues needed a setter, and Nguyen rose to the challenge. She was awarded Three Rivers First Team All-League this past season for her exceptional play, as well as Three Rivers League Honorable Mention as a sophomore. Her all-out mentality and athleticism make her an incredibly versatile and valuable asset to any team. Last club season she played for Athena Volleyball Academy’s 18-1 Gold team and was the lone junior on the roster. Middle Blocker: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp_0x8A95Qk">[player_tooltip player_id="91113" first="Harper" last="Justema"]</a>, 6’2", MB, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors Justema, a two-year varsity starter for the Summit Storm, helped them secure a sixth-place finish in the 6A State tournament this past season. She is a quick and athletic middle, who hits a slide with insurmountable force attacking down the line and cross-court. She was awarded Mountain Valley First Team All-League for her exceptional play. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors 16-A Bend due to her birthday cut-off. Middle Blocker: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14165158/brezlyn-langer">[player_tooltip player_id="91114" first="Brezlyn" last="Langer"]</a>, 6’1", MB, Sunset High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Langer, who switched between the middle and right side this past season, helped the Sunset Apollos finish third in the Metro League. She is an incredibly smart blocker with great court awareness, which is why she also makes for a great right-side attacker. With her strong swing on the slide, the adjustment to hitting on the right was done with ease. She played as a middle blocker for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 last club season. Setter: [player_tooltip player_id="91109" first="Alison" last="Buchholz"], 5’7", S, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Buchholz, a three-year starting setter for the Jesuit High School Crusaders, has helped them win two 6A State titles. For the Crusaders, Buchholz has accumulated 1,523 assists running both a 5-1 and 6-2. As a sophomore, she was awarded Metro Second Team All-League and this past season she was awarded Metro First Team All-League as well as Second Team All-State for the 6A tournament. Last club season she ran a 5-1 as the only setter for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 18-1 National team. Setter: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTUvll-tEtgmG6Jy4Z84Wew">[player_tooltip player_id="91110" first="Adia" last="Messenger"]</a>, 5’10", S, Reynolds High School, Portland Volleyball Club, Eastern Washington University Messenger, a three-year Varsity starter for Reynolds High School, is a competitive and versatile athlete. She was awarded Mt. Hood Second Team All-League as a sophomore and Mt. Hood First Team All-League this past season. Given her 5’10” stature and powerful arm swing she hits as well as sets, though usually on the right side, and tried her hand at the middle during the high school season. This season, under new head coach Nerisa Laban, she helped the Raiders take a set off of powerhouse team Central Catholic High School. Last club season she played for Portland Volleyball Club’s 18-1 National team. She has committed to play at Eastern Washington University.