Club Team Spotlight: Spiketown 18-1 National

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spiketown 18-1 National</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coming out of Southern Oregon, Spiketown Volleyball Club pulls athletes from all over the region, given that most of the major clubs competing in CEVA are hours away. Their Spiketown 18-1 National team is no different, with athletes from Medford, Ashland, Central Point, and other surrounding towns. Coached by Christine Nelson and assisted by Todd Clevenger, the team, comprised mostly of 2023s and only three 2022s, will be in good hands. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SETTING</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The lone setter on the roster is<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id="91342" first="Kate" last="Stidham"]</em></strong>, a Midwestern First Team All-League from Crater High School. Coming off an impressive high school season, where she set a 5-1 for the Comets, Stidham showcased leadership and athleticism all season long. Since it is safe to assume she will be running a 5-1, she will get to continue to hone her craft and see lots of court time this club season.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FRONT ROW</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team will rely heavily on the pin hitting of <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164243" first="Madison" last="Kocina"] </strong></em>(Crater High School), and <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="163992" first="Katie" last="Clevenger"] </strong></em>(South Medford High School). These two make for a duo of offensive power and height. Both are First Team All-League Selections for their respective leagues, are major impact players for their high school teams, and top 2023 recruits. T</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">he team can look to </span><em style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>Emily Fliegel </strong></em><span style="font-size: 1rem;">(South Medford High School)</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">, and </span><em style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>Lily Bixler </strong></em><span style="font-size: 1rem;">(Eagle Point High School) to</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> take big swings from the pins. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the middle, the team is presented with lots of options, given their athlete’s versatility to hit anywhere across the front row. </span><em style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>Emma Bischoff</strong></em><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">from Rogue Valley Adventist School, </span><em style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91365" first="Kendra" last="Bittle"] </strong></em><span style="font-size: 1rem;">from Crater High School, and <em><strong>Kelsey Dunn </strong></em>from St. Mary’s (Medford) are all exceptional choices. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BACK ROW</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thus far <em><strong>Cameron Christian</strong></em>, a Midwestern League Honorable Mention from Ashland High School, has been sporting the libero jersey. However, <em><strong>Makayla Miller</strong></em> is also a talented primary passer, from North Medford High School. Miller was honored with Southwest Conference Most Valuable Defender and Southwest First Team All-League. Both Christian and Miller bring great ball control and confidence to the back row. </span></p>