Tour of Oregon: Top Defensive Specialists from Bend

<p>As we tour the state of Oregon, we will be making many stops throughout this great State. We will be stopping by cities big and small, highlighting the best athletes in those places. Third stop: Bend! Here are the top five defensive specialists:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2021</span></span></p> [caption id="attachment_128000" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-128000" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/emily-king-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91124" first="Emily" last="King"]</strong></em>, 5’5", DS, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">King had a solid junior season, helping the Summit High School Storm finish sixth in the 6A State tournament. Playing as a defensive specialist last season, she was key to keeping the Storm in system. With her consistent serve receive, she puts her team in successful situations to earn the serve back quickly. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors 18-A and will be returning to NPJ for this upcoming club season. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_128001" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwqAGjnwiVQx652dlNL5vw"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-128001" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/hannah-ramage-head-shot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: NPJ</em>[/caption] <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91126" first="Hannah" last="Ramage"]</strong></em>, 5’4", DS, Bend High School, North Pacific Juniors, Eastern Oregon University </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ramage had a standout junior season for the Bend High School Lava Bears, helping them finish 13th in the 6A State tournament. A two-year Varsity starter for the Lava Bears, she took the reins as their libero this past season. For her play, she was awarded Mountain Valley Honorable Mention. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors 18-A and will be returning to NPJ for this upcoming club season. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She recently committed to Eastern Oregon University. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_128002" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-128002" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/ally-henry-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91169" first="Ally" last="Henry"]</strong></em>, 5’4", DS, Ridgeview High School, Central Oregon Volleyball Club</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Henry had a breakout junior season for the Ridgeview High School Ravens, helping them go undefeated in league play and secure a first-place finish in the 5A State tournament. A three-year varsity starter, she took on the role of libero for the Ravens this past season. For her play, she was awarded Intermountain Valley First Team All-League as well as 5A Third Team All-State. Henry also plays softball for the Ravens. Last club season she played for Central Oregon Volleyball Club 18-1 team and will be returning to COVC this upcoming club season. </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2022</span></span></p> [caption id="attachment_128003" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/CeliaE10"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-128003" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/celia-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="91223" first="Celia" last="Espinoza"]</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, 5’3", DS, Mountain View High School, North Pacific Juniors</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Espinoza had another solid season for the Mountain View High School Cougars, helping them get to the first round of the State tournament. As an underclassman, she took on a big role as the team’s starting libero. Last season she broke her school’s all-season dig record. For her play, she was awarded Mountain Valley Honorable Mention both her freshman and sophomore year. She is an incredibly consistent serve receive passer and does a great job putting an out of system ball back in play for her attackers. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors 16-A team and will be returning to NPJ for this upcoming club season. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_128004" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/HannahK18"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-128004" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/hannah-kendall-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: NPJ</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="91224" first="Hannah" last="Kendall"]</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, 5’5", DS/OH, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kendall was a key player for the Summit High School Storm’s junior varsity team, and was swung up to varsity during the 6A State tournament where they finished sixth. Although playing as an all-around outside hitter for her high school teams, she has transitioned to the defensive specialist position the past season. Kendall has really honed into her game awareness and improved her defensive skills, making her a standout back row player. Last club season she played for North Pacific Juniors 16-A team and will be returning to NPJ this upcoming season. </span></p>