Tour of Oregon: Top Defensive Specialists from Salem

<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. Second stop: Salem! Here are the top four defensive specialists: </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2021</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> [caption id="attachment_125270" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13574254/graci-zanona"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-125270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/graci-z-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91149" first="Graci" last="Zanona"]</strong>, 5’4", DS, Sweet Home High School, Sweet Home Volleyball Club </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zanona had another solid season for the Sweet Home High School Huskies, helping the team finish second in the 5A State tournament, falling to Valley Catholic High School in a hard-fought match. As the team’s Libero, she does an excellent job keeping the team as in-system as possible. On Varsity for the Huskies since her freshman year, she is a difference-maker for their backrow. She was awarded Oregon West First Team All-League for her play. Last club season she played for Sweet Home Volleyball Club on their 18-1 team. She also plays softball for the Huskies. She recently signed to play volleyball for Linn Benton Community College. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_116101" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee6R2kNAR7A"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-116101" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/julissa-rocha-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115777" first="Julissa" last="Rocha-Ibarra"]</strong>, 5’4", DS, Blanchet Catholic, North Pacific Juniors</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rocha-Ibarra, a two-year varsity starter for the Blanchet Catholic High School Cavaliers, had another solid season as their Libero. She is an impact player for the Cavaliers, running their back row using her leadership and high energy. Rocha-Ibarra’s consistent passing is the reason they are able to keep balls in system. Competing for North Pacific Juniors 16-2 as their Libero sophomore club season, she made a huge jump to the 17-1 National team as a defensive specialist this past club season. She is returning to NPJ for the upcoming club season. She recently committed to play at George Fox University. </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2022</span></span></p> [caption id="attachment_125271" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/LaciJ10"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-125271" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/titans-logo-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91222" first="Laci" last="Jespersen"]</strong></em>, 5’2", DS, West Salem High School, North Pacific Juniors</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jespersen was a key player on West Salem High School’s Junior Varsity team, showcasing her athleticism as their primary libero. She brought her consistent serve receive and incredible defensive range to the Titans. With the Titans graduating three defensive specialists in 2020, Patterson will have an opportunity to make her way onto the Varsity squad for the 2021 season. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last club season she was the Libero for North Pacific Juniors Volleyball Club’s 16-1 National team and will be returning to NPJ for this upcoming club season.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2023</span></span></p> [caption id="attachment_125272" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/sarah-jones/6j_ubcUHEemAzfp8ouYFiw/default.htm"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-125272" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/sarah-jones-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: OSAA</em>[/caption] <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91321" first="Sarah" last="Jones"]</strong></em>, 5’2", DS</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Sprague High School, North Pacific Juniors </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jones had a breakout freshman season playing for the Sprague High School Olympians, who finished first in the Mountain Valley Conference. She saw court time as their starting Libero, a big role to fulfill for a younger player, but she did so with confidence and ease. She is a consistent serve receive passer and a quick defender with contagious energy making her a great asset to any backrow. This past club season she was a Libero for North Pacific Juniors 15-1 National team. </span></p>