CEVA 18U Teams at USAV Nationals
Over the weekend of April 24th, the CEVA region had four 18U teams compete at USAV Nationals, Athena 18-1 Gold, NPJ 18-1 Forefront, NPJ 18-1 Bend, and OJVA 18-1 Gold. All four teams represented the CEVA region well, competing and…
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend of April 24th, the CEVA region had four 18U teams compete at USAV Nationals, Athena 18-1 Gold, NPJ 18-1 Forefront, NPJ 18-1 Bend, and OJVA 18-1 Gold. All four teams represented the CEVA region well, competing and playing hard.
Athena 18-1 Gold
Athena 18-1 played in the American division and finished 59th in that division. Although they went 1-7, they were competitive in all of their matches, and the scores reflected that. Their big win was against NOVA Juniors, who they beat in three hard-fought sets. On the outside, they rely on Amanda Henry Amanda Henry 5'11" | OH Jesuit | 2021 State OR , Trinity University, and Lauren Wilborn Lauren Wilborn 5'10" | OH Beaverton | 2021 State OR , Hamline University. Their middle is in good hands with Kendall Baldwin Kendall Baldwin 5'11" | MB Lakeridge | 2021 State OR , and Maddie Klopic, Cowapa Co-Player of the Year, and the University of Puget Sound. New to the libero position but doing so with confidence is Kate Griffin Kate Griffin 5'7" | S West Linn | 2021 State OR .
While all the players on the team really stepped up at Nationals, some key players to this team’s success were Amanda Henry Amanda Henry 5'11" | OH Jesuit | 2021 State OR , Kate Griffin Kate Griffin 5'7" | S West Linn | 2021 State OR , and Kendall Baldwin Kendall Baldwin 5'11" | MB Lakeridge | 2021 State OR .
Amanda Henry Amanda Henry 5'11" | OH Jesuit | 2021 State OR , 5’10”, OH, Jesuit High School, Athena Volleyball Academy, Trinity University
Henry did not let an ankle injury phase her at Nationals, and she stepped up big time for her team. She was a steady force on the outside attack and her team relied on her to put the ball away. Her coach applauded her consistent leadership for the team this season, both on and off the volleyball court. The high level of play Athena faced at Nationals will bode well for her next season as she heads to Trinity College in the fall of 2021.
Kate Griffin Kate Griffin 5'7" | S West Linn | 2021 State OR , 5’7″, S/DS, West Linn High School, Athena Volleyball Academy
Griffin is sporting a new position this season, transitioning from a setter to a libero. Athena relied on her for her steady serve receive passing and all-out effort on defense. Her coach relies on Griffin to make great plays while bringing infectious energy to the court. Currently, Griffin is not committed to a school for the fall of 2021.
Kendall Baldwin Kendall Baldwin 5'11" | MB Lakeridge | 2021 State OR , 5’11”, MB/OH, Lakeridge High School, Athena Volleyball Academy
Baldwin is a very versatile player and can really step into any position in the front row to dominate. Athena is using her primarily in the middle and she is a steady force there. She was a threat at Nationals in the middle position, consistently putting the ball away. A great asset for the team in the middle, she did not let a foot injury on day one stop her from playing at a competitive level. Baldwin is planning to attend the University of Oregon in the fall of 2021.
North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Forefront
North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Forefront had an incredible run at USAV Nationals playing in the National division, finishing 11th out of 48 teams. They went 5-4, but were a formidable force all weekend. Three of their matches went to three. They played Pohaku 18-1, the team that finished in 2nd, and were very competitive, losing by only two points in both sets. This team is stacked with a lot of talent. Returning to the team for her third and final season, the team is led by Audra Wilmes Audra Wilmes 6'2" | OH West Linn | 2021 State OR , University of Washington, on the outside. Also on the outside is Bailee Hartsook Bailee Hartsook 5'10" | OH Sweet Home | 2021 State OR , Oregon West Conference Volleyball Co-Player of the Year and Western Oregon University. In the middle, they have Makenah Jackson Makenah Jackson 6'2" | MB Central Catholic | 2021 State OR , University of Idaho, and junior standout Isabella Snyder Isabella Snyder 5'11" | MB North Salem | 2022 State OR . Running their offense is freshman phenom and #1 on PrepDig 2024 Rankings Alexis Haury Alexis Haury 5'10" | S Silverton | 2024 State #9 Nation OR and Peyton Griffin Peyton Griffin 6'0" | S Jesuit | 2021 State OR , Cal State East Bay. Their back row is led by Lily Snook Lily Snook 5'7" | DS/L West Linn | 2021 State OR , Portland State University, and Hailey Arritola. This talented team has garnered the #2 spot in the CEVA region.
Some key players to this team’s success at Nationals were Bailee Hartsook Bailee Hartsook 5'10" | OH Sweet Home | 2021 State OR , Audra Wilmes Audra Wilmes 6'2" | OH West Linn | 2021 State OR , Hailey Arritola, and Lily Snook Lily Snook 5'7" | DS/L West Linn | 2021 State OR .
Bailee Hartsook Bailee Hartsook 5'10" | OH Sweet Home | 2021 State OR , 5’10”, OH, Sweet Home High School, North Pacific Juniors, Western Oregon University
Hartsook was key both defensively and offensively for NPJ over Nationals weekend. A bouncy and athletic outside hitter, she was a consistent force on the outside attack. NPJ ran a sneaky X-play with her hitting a 2 set out of the middle that proved to be deadly for opponents. She has committed to play at Western Oregon University in the fall of 2021.
Audra Wilmes Audra Wilmes 6'2" | OH West Linn | 2021 State OR , 6’2″, OH, West Linn High School, North Pacific Juniors, University of Washington
Wilmes, NPJs other six-rotation outside attacker, brings both her power and off-speed shots to the court. She is an incredibly smart player and uses her high volleyball IQ to help her teammates succeed. She also has a killer float serve, garnering the first serve position. She has committed to play at the University of Washington for the fall of 2021 (yes, the University of Washington that got to the NCAA Division 1 National semi-final this past season).
Lily Snook Lily Snook 5'7" | DS/L West Linn | 2021 State OR , 5’7″, DS, West Linn High School, North Pacific Juniors, Portland State University
Snook, one of two libero’s for NPJs 18-1 team, brought her high energy and infectious attitude to the team over Nationals weekend. Her teammates relied on her for her very consistent serve receive in their matches. She has committed to play at Portland State University in the fall of 2021, where she will join older sister libero Ellie Snook.
Hailey Arritola, 5’4″, DS, Kennedy High School, North Pacific Juniors
Arritola, the second libero for NPJ, was a defensive weapon for the team. She is speedy and has a knack for defense, flying all over the court to save the ball. She also has a strong float serve, which proved challenging for opponents. Currently, Arritola is not committed to a school for the fall of 2021.
North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Bend
North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Bend played in the Patriot division at USAV Nationals and finished incredibly high, fifth to be exact. The scores in all the matches were very competitve, they went to three sets in four matches. They ended up losing in the finals to Legacy 18-1 Adidas (23-25, 25-19, 15-12) who finished second. This team pulls a lot of talent in and around the area of Bend, Oregon. Their offensive weapons on the outside are Greta Davis Greta Davis 5'11" | OH Sisters | 2022 State OR , Oregon West Conference Volleyball Co-Player of the Year, and Taylor Brickey Taylor Brickey 5'11" | OH Summit | 2022 State OR . In the middle is Marley Hardgrave Marley Hardgrave 6'3" | MB Bend | 2022 State OR and Brooklynn Dechent. Running the show are setters Kate Doorn Kate Doorn 5'10" | S Summit | 2022 State OR , University of Idaho, and Megan Bushnell Megan Bushnell 5'11" | S Bend Senior | 2021 State OR , Fairleigh Dickinson University. In the libero jersey is Emily King Emily King 5'5" | DS/L Summit | 2021 State OR and Celia Espinoza Celia Espinoza 5'3" | DS/L Mountain View | 2022 State OR .
Some key players to this team’s success were Kate Doorn Kate Doorn 5'10" | S Summit | 2022 State OR , Greta Davis Greta Davis 5'11" | OH Sisters | 2022 State OR , and Emily King Emily King 5'5" | DS/L Summit | 2021 State OR .
Kate Doorn Kate Doorn 5'10" | S Summit | 2022 State OR , 5’10”, S/RS, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors, University of Idaho
Doorn is one of the two starting setters for NPJ 18-1 Bend, running a 6-2 alongside Megan Bushnell Megan Bushnell 5'11" | S Bend Senior | 2021 State OR . She has great hand strength and does not give away her set locations easily. Playing all six rotations, attacking on the right side in the front row, she has a strong block and great swing. Doorn has committed to play for the University of Idaho for the fall of 2022.
Greta Davis Greta Davis 5'11" | OH Sisters | 2022 State OR , 5’11”, OH, Sisters High School, North Pacific Juniors
Davis was a force for the NPJ 18-1 Bend team as a go-to attacker both on the outside and in the back row as a six-rotation player. She does an exceptional job of attacking everything given to her, no matter where she is. Davis is an offensive powerhouse, but also does a lot for her team defensively, both blocking and digging. Davis is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2022.
Emily King Emily King 5'5" | DS/L Summit | 2021 State OR , 5’5″, DS, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors
King, one of two libero’s for NPJ 18-1 Bend alongside Celia Espinoza Celia Espinoza 5'3" | DS/L Mountain View | 2022 State OR , does an exceptional job leading the backcourt for the team. Using her strong volleyball IQ and determination, she plays defense all out and brings a lot of consistency to serve receive. King is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2021.
Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 18-1 Gold
Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 18-1 had great run at USAV Nationals, finishing 35th, and going 3-5. All the scores were competitive, and they went to three in three of their matches. This team has had a core group of athletes that have played with one another for a few seasons, with the addition of setter Adia Messenger Adia Messenger 5'10" | S Reynolds | 2021 State OR . Because of this, the team has great chemistry. On the outside are Daley McCellan, University of Oregon and Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, and Jasmine Sells Jasmine Sells 5'11" | OH Lincoln | 2021 State OR , Washington University, St. Louis, and PIL Player of the Year. In the middle, they have Emma Swett, University of Portland and Washington Gatorade Player of the Year, Brezlyn Langer Brezlyn Langer 6'1" | MB Sunset | 2021 State OR , Biola University, and Tess Masingale Tess Masingale 6'3" | MB Jesuit | 2022 State OR , Cal Poly. Running a 6-2 is Alison Buchholz Alison Buchholz 5'7" | S Jesuit | 2021 State OR , Washington & Lee, and Adia Messenger Adia Messenger 5'10" | S Reynolds | 2021 State OR , Eastern Washington University. Their back row is typically in the hands of libero Caitlin Gay Caitlin Gay 5'7" | DS/L Canby | 2021 State OR , University of Idaho. Needless to say, this team is stacked, garnering them the #1 spot in the CEVA 18U region.
Two players that really stepped up for OJVA 18-1 at USAV Nationals are Alison Dreves, and Ainslie Ridgway.
Alison Dreves, 5’11”, RS/DS, Columbia River High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, Marian University
Dreves showcased her versatility at Nationals, stepping into the libero role, a position she has not played since 14U. Due to an injury, the team relied on her to step away from the right side and into the back row and she rose to the challenge. Her coach sung her praises saying she has been an unsung hero of this group for years and the dream of every coach. She has no problem stepping into any position needed and doing so with confidence, which was displayed at Nationals. Dreves is committed to play at Marian University in the fall of 2021.
Ainslie Ridgway, 5’11”, OH, McMinnville High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, Corban University
Ridgway, typically one of their right side attackers, rose to the challenge after being put in the lineup as a six-rotation outside at Nationals. Although a totally different position, and a special kind of pressure, she stepped up for her team. Her coach praised her on her poise and leadership she brought with this change. Ridgway is committed to play at Corban University in the fall of 2021, alongside sister Avari Ridgway.