2024 Outside Hitters at CEVA Regionals

Over the weekend of June 13th, CEVA held its Regionals tournament where the top 18U, 16U, 14U, and 12U teams from the region competed. For the 16U age bracket, the top five finishers were… #1 OJVA 16-1 National #2 NPJ 16 Forefront #3 OJVA 16-2 National #4 G3 16-1 National #5 Athena 16-1 Gold For the first time this season, I had the opportunity to go watch these teams compete in person. I will be spotlighting the athletes from 2022, 2023, and 2024, who were an impact in their position and made an impression when watching. OUTSIDE HITTERS [caption id="attachment_130140" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kendylarnettvolleyball2024/"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-130140" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/kendyl-arnet-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: NPJ[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126029" first="Kendyl" last="Arnett"], 5'10", OH, West Albany High School, North Pacific Juniors Arnett is an explosive six rotation outside hitter who was a key player in bringing a second-place finish at Regionals to the NPJ 16-1 Forefront team. She is not afraid to take the big swings in crucial points in the match, in both the front and back row. She has a hammer of an arm and elevates when attacking. As a freshman, she made varsity at West Albany High School. Arnett is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_150094" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15940285/Madelyn-Crace"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2930-e1627177332547-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126051" first="Madelyn" last="Crace"], 5'10”, OH/DS, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Crace is a high-flying six rotation outside hitter for the OJVA 15-1 team. She stepped up big time when one of the team's big hitters [player_tooltip player_id="91345" first="Hannah" last="Carlson"] (2023) went down with a knee injury mid-season. She has a high volleyball IQ and good court sense. She is very quick both offensively and defensively. When passing, she is calm and controlled. As a freshman, she made the junior varsity team at Jesuit High School, a volleyball powerhouse program. Crace is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_150095" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/sidney-f-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Player[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126188" first="Sidney" last="Friesen"], 5'8", OH, Sprague High School, Portland Volleyball Club Friesen is a bouncy six rotation outside hitter that was a key performer to the success of the PVC 16-1 team. Attacking, she does a good job getting on top of the ball, using her high vertical to her advantage. Playing across the back row she brings solid defense and consistent serve receive passing. Friesen was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Sprague High School this past season. Friesen is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_150096" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4538004/Sydney-Hamlin"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150096" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/sydney-hamlin-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Athena VB[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126065" first="Sydney" last="Hamlin"], 5'7", OH/DS, Lakeridge High School, Athena Volleyball Academy Hamlin shines both on offense and defense with her quickness, strength, versatility, and power and brought this to the Athena 15-1 team. Typically playing all six rotations, she is high flying and smart with her attacking. Hamlin made the varsity team at Lakeridge High School this past season. She was awarded Three Rivers Honorable Mention All-League. Hamlin is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [player_tooltip player_id="126025" first="Alondra" last="Paz"], 5'9", OH, Woodburn High School, Athena Volleyball Academy Ranked #2 in the 2024 rankings for PrepDig it is no surprise that she was a huge impact for the Athena 15-1 team over Regionals weekend. Paz brings tons of athleticism to the court as an explosive six rotation outside hitter. She is an offensive weapon with a deadly swing. Defensively, she is quick and consistent, putting up a solid ball for her setters. Paz was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Woodburn High School this past season. Paz is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_150097" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15940290/jaydn-puncochar"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150097" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2937-e1627177887122-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126027" first="Jaydn" last="Puncochar"], 5'10", OH, Hillsboro High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Puncochar is a dynamic athlete and brings this to the OJVA 15-1 team. She has a powerful arm swing and a high volleyball IQ, making her an unstoppable outside attacker. She is a force on the outside, but can also bring those big swings in the middle and right side. Puncochar was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Woodburn High School this past season. She made the 5A All-Star team by PrepDig. Puncochar is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_150098" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/TeaganW10"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150098" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/teagan-wilson-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: NPJ[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126172" first="Teagan" last="Wilson"], 5'11", OH, West Salem High School, North Pacific Juniors Wilson brought the heat to the NPJ 15-1 team as one of their outside attackers. She may only be on the court for the three front-row rotations, but she makes a huge impact for the team. She is a smart and powerful attacker. As a freshman, she made the junior varsity team at West Salem High School, a volleyball powerhouse program. Wilson is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024.