Team Profile: Jackson Polar Bears (Massillon, OH)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated heading into this weekend, the Polar Bears feature some big offense and feature some good age balance throughout their roster to help sustain their competitive culture. Federal League champions in 2021 with a 12-0 mark, Jackson is the favorite to repeat again this year and are currently 7-1 overall following a tough 2-1 defeat on Saturday to Bishop Hartley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197516' first='Sydney' last='Wake']</strong> - 2023<br>The current offensive leader at 3.8 kills per set, the 5'10 senior is playing some of her best volleyball this early season. In their three matches this past Saturday she had 28 total kills for an average of four kills per set. This included a 17 kills performance in one match in which she also hit a .577 efficiency. Her season efficiency is currently .474. Shifting away from her role in 2021 during which she spent time distributing the Polar Bears' offense, she is reaping the benefits of the focus to be more offensive for her team and is finding great success so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leena Patiblanda</strong> - 2023<br>The team's offensive leader last season and among the best point producers in the Federal League in 2021, Patiblanda is an athlete. The 6'1 outside hitter is a difficult task for opposing defenses as she currently is averaging 3.0 kills per set while hitting .305. She has received several accolades for her multiple sports impact and success, which extends to her primary sport of basketball for which she is committed to Wisconsin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='114596' first='McKenna' last='Weber']</strong> - 2024<br>Weber is the third element of this offense that helps create good point scoring balance around the court for Jackson. At 2.8 kills per set this season, the 5'11 junior his hitting at a solid .325 efficiency. She was among the most complete contributors last season both offensively and defensively as she covers the floor well in the back row and has a long platform that helps her defend with good range. In 2021 Weber earned all-county and all-district recognition as she helped the Polar Bears to the regional finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152038' first='Abby' last='Debevec']</strong> - 2025 (*pictured)<br>One of the top DS/L prospects in the Ohio 2025 class, Debevec had 171 total digs in her freshman season that included nine matches earning double-figures. In eight total matches in 2022 she has already collected 82 digs as she is averaging over 10 digs per match. In serve receive and defense she reads the floor well and develops good angle production to get her setters into good spots to run this high big-potential offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaylee Evans</strong> - 2023<br>The senior middle is the best option for the Polar Bears in this role. As she is not utilized as frequently as their big pins on the offensive side she is an impact defensively. At 1.5 kills per set, she is also terminating above a .300 efficiency while leading the team in blocking with 2.5 per match. Evans had a solid club season helping lead her team to a top-10 finish in the 17-American division at the USA Volleyball national championships this past summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Camden Dolan</strong> - 2024 &amp; <strong>Mikayla Yockey </strong>- 2025<br>Dolan and Yockey share the setting role for the Polar Bears and collectively have this team competing very well on the offensive side. At 6.8 and 5.0 assists per set respectively, this team is terminating over 13 kills per set collectively while hitting at a .331 efficiency. Yockey also makes a good impact on the defensive side as well as she adds 2.6 digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->