Club Team Spotlight: Webfoot 18-1 Brian

Photo: Webfoot Jrs

Emma Adams February 10, 2022 @ 11:37 PM

Webfoot Jrs. is the only high-level club in the Eugene area and has been since 1999. They have produced top-level teams for 20+ years and churn out top Oregon commits year after year, most recently Claire Hoffman (University of Washington). The Webfoot 18-1 Brian team is no different, with lots of high-level talent on the roster. A young squad, with only five 2022 athletes out of twelve, they are already poised to do quite well in the CEVA region. They qualified for the first Platinum League competition of the season, one of only four teams from the region.

SETTING

The lone setter on the roster is senior Julia Pangburn Julia Pangburn 5'6" | S South Eugene | 2022 State OR , from South Eugene High School, who will be tasked with setting a 5-1 this season for the team, barring any changes to the roster. Pangburn was an integral part of the Axes lineup. After losing their starting setter Glenzel, the Axes looked to Pangburn to fill in that gap in their lineup and she rose to the challenge. Newer to the scene of club ball, starting her sophomore season, she has improved substantially in just two seasons. A former gymnast turned setter, Pangburn is continuing to elevate her game and has a great opportunity to continue to improve as the only setter on the team.

FRONT ROW

The team does not rely solely on one major offensive weapon, but rather has a lot of offensive power dispersed across their front row. On the outside, senior Keira Vaughn Keira Vaughn 5'10" | OH Sheldon | 2022 State OR from Sheldon High School, and junior Desiree Tupua Desiree Tupua 5'8" | OH Siuslaw | 2023 State OR from Siuslaw High School, as well as University of Utah (sand) commit Gwen Fife Gwen Fife 6'0" | OH Sheldon | 2023 State OR from Sheldon High School, bring steady firepower and ball control. Their right-side (playing opposite setter Julia Pangburn Julia Pangburn 5'6" | S South Eugene | 2022 State OR ), is newcomer and sophomore standout Bridget Gould Bridget Gould 5'11" | RS Marshfield | 2024 State OR , traveling from North Bend High School (about a two-hour commute each way). Gould does an exceptional job elevating when attacking, has an insane vertical, is a leftie, and puts up a formidable block. In the middle, you will see junior Kaitlyn Wood Kaitlyn Wood 5'11" | MB Sheldon | 2023 State OR , from Sheldon High School, and Park University (Gilbert) commit senior Mallory Turner from Sutherlin High School. Although neither of these middles surpasses the 6ft club, which might seem surprising for such high-level middle-blockers, both have insanely high vertical jumps. Wood has a jump reach of 9’11" and Turner has a jump reach of 9’9". Also at their disposal, setter/attacker Makayla Murphy Makayla Murphy 5'7" | S North Douglas | 2023 State OR , middle blocker Grace Luttrell, and middle blocker Ruby Thomas.

BACKROW

Thus far junior Elle Bruegman Elle Bruegman 5'8" | DS/L Sheldon | 2023 State OR has been sporting the libero jersey. From Sheldon High School, so playing with a majority of this team year-round, she was the libero for the team and was integral in their first-place finish in the Southwest Conference. Also on the roster, and from Sheldon High School, is University of Providence commit Alayna Hughes Alayna Hughes 5'8" | DS/L Sheldon | 2022 State OR . Hughes spent the majority of her career as an outside hitter but transitioned to a primary passer position her junior season. She has honed in on her back row play over the past year and a half and has become a steady force.