CEVA Regionals: 2024 Standout Setters

The culminating event for the CEVA season is the Regional tournament. All teams participating in CEVA Power League compete for their final standing of the season. For this series, we will be spotlighting athletes from teams that finished in the top 20 for the 18U/16U division who were nominated by their club coach, or a club coach from another team. Without further ado, here are the 2024 setters that had stellar performances. [caption id="attachment_201843" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-201843" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/ellie-ezell-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126163" first="Ellie" last="Ezell"], 5’9”, S/RS, Summit High School, North Pacific Juniors Bend 16-1 National <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16534118/Ellie-Ezell">[ Link to recruiting profile ] </a> Ezell has been the primary setter for the NPJ Bend 16-1 National, typically running a 5-1 for the team. However, over Regionals weekend the team had lost two starters due to injuries, one was their outside and the other their right side. With this line-up change, they needed to switch some things around. Ezell had to jump into a new position as a designated attacker, playing on both the left and right sides. She was one of the top scores on the weekend. Her coach applauded her ability to embrace the challenge with a smile on her face, not afraid to lead the team from a new spot on the court. Her competitive edge and versatility helped the team to a top-four finish despite being down two starters. [caption id="attachment_187001" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-187001" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/alexis-haury-headshot-npj-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: NPJ[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126024" first="Alexis" last="Haury"], 5’10, S/OH, Silverton High School, North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Forefront <a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/AlexisH11">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> As the #1 recruit for the class of 2024 coming out of the state of Oregon, it is no surprise she was a major impact player for the NPJ 18-1 Forefront team over Regionals weekend. Although a sophomore, she is playing up on a team of primarily 2022s but is running the show as their primary setter. She can be seen running a 5-1 or a 6-2 opposite 2022 Sydney Harrington. Her play of game shows much maturity, her set choices are spot on, and she takes the court with calm confidence. It is hard to believe she is only a sophomore, the level at which she plays far surpasses this. And she has no problem stepping up as a leader on a team where she is on the younger side. Libby Juker, 5’5”, S/RS, Estacada High School, NW Elite 16-1 Juker has been dubbed the glue of the NW Elite 16-1 team. Their primary setter, she played at Regionals no different than she has the rest of the season, as a “steady rock”. On Sunday, she was not at 100%, but still gave 100% to the team, despite being sick. Juker is a competitive athlete and an incredible leader for the team. She also averaged a block per set and an ace per set as well. [caption id="attachment_201844" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-201844" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/Kimberlee-Kelsey-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] Kimberlee Kelsey, 5’10”, S, Creswell High School, Unity 16-1 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15776791">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Kelsey was a difference-maker for the Unity 16-1 team at Regionals. As their primary setter, her sets kept the team in system. When given the opportunity to attack, she scored at key moments. Her coach commended her all-around play, noting that she is not only a skilled setter but a leader and a smart player in every skill. [caption id="attachment_201846" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-201846" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/570-JKB_6594-e1655147438203-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Jenn Bowers[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126028" first="Elisabeth" last="Levick"], 6’1”, S/OH, Glencoe High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1 Gold <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elisabeth.levick.2024/?hl=en">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Levick received a nod from another coach for her stellar play at Regionals for the OJVA 16-1 Gold team. As the team’s primary setter, she can be seen running either a 5-1 or a 6-2 opposite 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="126042" first="Taylor" last="Guerra"]. When setting, she is next level. Fast, quick release, good decision making. As an attacker, she is deadly, from either pin, hitting all the angles. Her play over Regionals weekend was no different, a consistent force for OJVA 16-1 Gold. She was critical in the team’s first-place finish in the 16U division. [caption id="attachment_201851" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-201851" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/delainy-williams-headshot-150x150.webp" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Athena VB[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126026" first="Delainy" last="Williams"], 5’8”, S, Central Catholic High School, Athena 16-2 Black <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/portland/central-catholic-high-school32/delainy-williams">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Williams is a new addition to Athena this season, playing for PVC previously as a setter for their 16 Gold team. After making the move, she has made an immediate impact on the court for the Athena 16 Black team. Her improvement over this past season has been significant, she is much more confident and consistent. She took the reigns as their primary setter, typically running a 5-1 for the team. Her coach commended her ability to do it all: dishing out solid sets and running the offense, putting up a solid block on the right side, playing some stellar defense, and racking up points with her killer float serve. She was a leader for the team over Regionals and was vital in their top ten finish.