Junior Middles Commanded at PrepDig/Baden PNW Invitational

Over the weekend of August 1st, I had the privilege of covering the PrepDig/Baden Pacific Northwest Invitational Training Camp. The camp was structured to bring the best athletes in Oregon and Southwest Washington into one facility and let them compete. With COVID-19 the opportunities for athletes to compete have been severely limited, so this was a great chance to get the best of the best in one place. While some players were not able to attend, the Courts were filled with forty-seven incredible volleyball players. Be on the lookout for content coming highlighting players in attendance. Below are the junior middle blocks who represented their class and position well at the camp. [caption id="attachment_108679" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9MaAQ67ILAKdYO1PLsfMA"><img class="wp-image-108679 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/Tess-Masingale-Headshot-e1600037041738-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Cole Petters[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91207" first="Tess" last="Masingale"], 6’3", MB, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy What makes Masingale such a special player is her fast arm swing. She is a go-to attacker for her setters as she swings fast and hard, terminating the ball play after play. With her 6’3” stature she is an intimidating presence and her opponents struggle to put up a block she is not able to swing around or through. <a href="https://youtu.be/TX2eKxn0RZU">Check out Masingale’s booming middle attack (Did it hit the 10-foot line?)!</a> Masingale had a standout sophomore season, competing with the Jesuit High School Crusaders. As a freshman, she was swung up to Varsity but did not see much court time as they had two senior middles, Alyssa Hughes (Gonzaga) and Lauren McCabe (Seattle). However, during the offseason she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, being the only freshman to make the 16-1 team. Competing at that high of a level all club season, she came back in the fall ready to dominant. Being the starting middle, she totaled 188 kills on the season; hitting a .363, and 30 blocks. She was awarded Metro First Team All-League. During the 6A State Championship, she was awarded Most Valuable Player/Player of the Game and All-Tournament First Team, raking up 16 kills and 7 blocks. She also made the 2019 AVCA Phenom List. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1. [caption id="attachment_108681" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5IoJB5SKBlc8mL43jMBPEw"><img class="wp-image-108681 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/Sophie-Scott-Headshot-e1600037432220-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Cole Petters[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91209" first="Sophie" last="Scott"], 6’3", MB, Catlin Gabel High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy What makes Scott such a special player is her quickness. At 6’3”, she moves with ease, using her athleticism to be an impact attacker in the middle. She is quick in transition making herself available to her setters consistently. When given the ball she reaches high and swings fast, making her hard to defend. While she is versatile in what she can hit, most impressive is her slide attack which she can nail down the line. <a href="https://youtu.be/fCfit89ZwHk">Check out Scott’s impressive slide attack! </a> Scott had a stellar sophomore season, helping Catlin Gabel with a fourth-place finish for the 3A State tournament. She was awarded Lewis and Clark First Team All-League as well as Second Team All-State. Though it is not often seen with middle blockers, during her high school season she had the opportunity to play six rotations due to her exceptional ball control. When not on the court, she is on the CEVA Advisory Council as she is passionate about mental health in volleyball players. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1. [caption id="attachment_108682" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11589309/Morghn-Monahan"><img class="wp-image-108682 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/Morghn-Monahan-Headshot-e1600037630502-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Cole Petters[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91273" first="Morghn" last="Monahan"], 6’2", MB, Lake Oswego High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy What makes Monahan such a special player is her positive attitude. She is an incredible team player who is always cheering on her teammates, both on and off the court. This enthusiasm she carries with her elevates the level of play on the court and the energy on the bench greatly. Attitude aside, she is incredibly eager to improve her game and has made huge strides on her technique. <a href="https://youtu.be/LkgQxmkI6P8">Check out Monahan’s quick middle attack! </a> Monahan had a solid sophomore season on Varisty for the Lake Oswego High School Lakers, helping them advance to the State tournament as their starting middle blocker. Having been their starting middle since freshman year, she is an impact player for them. She was awarded Three Rivers League Honorable Mention for her play this past season. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-2 Blue team.