Platinum #1: 2023 Standout Setters
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 ——————
Mia Starr Mia Starr 5'10" | S Central Catholic | 2023 State #176 Nation OR , 5’10”, S, Central Catholic High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1
[ Link to recruiting profile ]
When watching the OJVA 17-1 National team compete, it is hard not to take notice of the 5’10” setter running a 5-1. Starr walks on the court calm and collected. A setter for OJVA since 12U, Starr is continuing to excel at the setters position. As the primary setter for the team, she does an exceptional job running a fast offense and getting her middles involved. Starr has an incredibly fast release on the ball with hands like butter, so to speak, and hides her set location well. She helped the team win the Matt Hartner tournament, secure the #1 spot in Platinum, and rank #10 in the National USAV club rankings.
Starr is a three-year Varsity starter for the Central Catholic High School Rams. She was awarded Mt. Hood Conference Second Team All-League this past season. Starr ran a 6-2 last high school season and was a key piece in their 1st place finish in the Mt. Hood Conference and a 4th place finish in the 6A State tournament.
Starr is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.
WASHINGTON ——————
Emily Dean, 5’8”, S/DS, Lakeside High School, Sudden Impact 17-1
[ Link to recruiting profile ]
Dean is a player you notice when watching the SIVBC 17-1 team compete, which is an impressive feat as a setter. People tend to notice the hitters who put the ball away or the libero that flies into the bleacher to save a ball. But Dean really stands out not only because of her sheer talent but because of her attitude and energy on the court. She is a team player through and through, always the first to give a high five, or more in Dean fashion, to collapse to her knees or jump up and down. She is the definition of a hype woman. Attitude aside, she is a technically sound setter who does a great job establishing her middle blockers, no matter the pass. On SIVBC she runs a 6-2 alongside Samantha Darby.
Dean is a three-year varsity starter for the Lakeside High School Lions. She was awarded Mountain Division First Team All-League 3A Second Team All-State this past season. She was a crucial part of the Lion’s 10-0 league record in the Metro 3A league and helped them advance far in the 3A State tournament.
Dean is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.
Sophia Baugh, 5’9″, S, North Kitsap High School, Dakine 17 Surf
Baugh, the only setter on the roster for Dakine 17 Surf, has been tasked with setting a 5-1 for this elite group of athletes and she is excelling at the job. In charge and running the show, she takes the court with an attitude that instills confidence in her teammates. An athletic and technically sound all-around setter, she has great natural hand strength and can get the ball outside from pretty much anywhere on the court. However, she does a good job mixing up her set locations and makes good set choices, setting hitters who are on, so to speak.
Baugh is a three-year varsity starter for the North Kitsap High School Vikings. She was named the co-Kitsap Sun Player of the Year and 2A Olympic First Team All-League. She was an essential piece of the Vikings lineup this past season, helping the team finish 2nd in the 2A Olympic League.
Baugh is not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.