Platinum #1: 2023 Magnificent Middles

The Platinum tournament is the best of the best in Oregon and Washington, competing for the #1 seed in the Pacific Northwest. The Puget Sound region and the Columbia Empire region each send their top four 16U and top four 18U teams to compete, so a total of eight teams in each age bracket. First playing in a pool and then in a small bracket, one team will come out on top. One team from each age bracket will drop down, allowing for one team to move up and compete. There will be a few more Platinum tournaments taking place later on that we will be covering as well. In the 18U age bracket the teams in attendance were: NPJ 18-1 Forefront (CE), OJVA 18-1 Gold (CE), OJVA 17-1 Gold (CE), Webfoor 18-1 Brian (CE), SIVBC 18-1 Tsunami (PS), SIVBC 17-1 Storm (PS), Dakine 17 Surf (PS), and Dakine 18-1 Surf (PS). All teams competed and great volleyball was played. To recap the tournament, we will be highlighting some standout players in their respective position and class. OREGON —————— [caption id="attachment_147793" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-147793" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2814-e1625515582497-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91357" first="Mia" last="Fedota"], 6'3”, MB, St. Mary's Academy, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15654735/Mia-Fedota">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Fedota is a new addition to the OJVA 17-1 group, after playing last season on OJVA 16-2. Over the past year, Fedota has shown significant improvement, a substantial enough of an improvement to make it as a starter on this team. With both middle blockers, the other being 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91273" first="Morghn" last="Monahan"] (Hawaii Pacific University commit) on OJVA 17-1 standing at 6'3”, the pair bring some serious height and power. Fedota is a two-year varsity starter for the St. Mary's Academy Blues. As a sophomore, Fedota was awarded Three-Rivers Honorable Mention. Fedota is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. WASHINGTON —————— Yazzy Muhammad, 6'2”, MB, Lakeside High School, Sudden Impact 17-1 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14095720">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Muhammad is one of the starting middle blockers for the Sudden Impact 17-1 team. She is an absolute beast in the middle, bringing size, power, and athleticism. An impressive attacker and blocker, she is a definite difference-maker for the SIVBC team and has been for seasons. Muhammad has great court awareness and knows how to get herself involved in the offense. Muhammad is a three-year Varsity starter for the Lakeside High School Lions. This past season she was the starting middle blocker for the Lions and her net play was critical in the team's metro and district championship. Muhammad was awarded Mountain First Team All-League as well as 3A First Team All-State. Muhammad is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. Alex Sims, 5'10”, MB, Peninsula High School, Dakine 17 Surf <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14202777/Alex-Sims">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Sims is one of the starting middle blockers for the Dakine 17 Surf team and they rely on her to put the ball away. Sims oozes athleticism and jumps out of the gym. She does an excellent job making herself available in transition given her speed and athleticism. Sims also moves well laterally to close the block on the pins. Sims was a Varsity starter for Peninsula High School Seahawks this past season. She was a vital piece of the lineup, helping the team advance to the State finals for 3A. Sims is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.