Club Team Spotlight: Rise VBC 18-1
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Rise Volleyball Club, based out of Medford (about five hours south of Portland), gives a home to the majority of top volleyball players in the area. Given that Medford is a smaller city and does not have a big city…
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Continue ReadingRise Volleyball Club, based out of Medford (about five hours south of Portland), gives a home to the majority of top volleyball players in the area. Given that Medford is a smaller city and does not have a big city nearby, the opportunities to find competitive club volleyball are more limited. And the top athletes tend to stick together, knowing that this is how they will best compete against other teams. A bulk of athletes on this team switched from Spiketown Volleyball Club to Rise Volleyball Club, who finished last season tied for 7th place at Regional. So the team is poised to do quite well this club season. This group has already proved they can compete with the top 18s teams in CEVA. CJ Roberts, the current head coach at Umpqua Community College, will lead this club team.
Bischoff is a dynamic attacker with the ability to play any position at a high level. Given the other pin hitters on the roster, it is assumed Bischoff will see court time in the middle. She is an athletic and physical attacker and blocker. Her swing is powerful with a hammer of an arm. She puts up a formidable block, shutting down many-a hitters. Bischoff has committed to play for Corban University, an NAIA powerhouse.
Bittle, recently named Mid-Willamette Player of the Year for Crater, will bring some serious offensive and defensive power to the court. Over high school season, she averaged 13.8 kills, 6.4 digs, and 2.3 aces with a .343 hitting percentage. Given the big block she puts up and her ability to hit a multitude of angles, she will likely be seen perfecting her craft on the right side. However, Bittle has experience playing on both the outside and middle, if needed. She recently committed to play at Corban University, joining fellow Rise teammate Emma Bischoff.
Christian, who led the back row for Spiketown last season as their libero, will likely be seen in a similar fashion for this Rise team. She is coming off a fantastic high school season with South Medford, where, as their libero, she helped the team advance to the top 8 of the 6A State tournament. She is solid across the board, with consistent ball control, a fast reaction time on defense, and a lethal jump float serve.
Clevenger is an athletic six-rotation outside hitter. Her attack is explosive, and when she connects with the ball, she absolutely unloads on it. She is a talented beach player as well, committed to Cal Poly for both beach and court. This translates well to her court game as she mixes up her powerful swings with clever shots. She has a high IQ on the court and is an asset all around for this group.
Stubenrauch is an explosive attacker, with the ability to swing well at both pins. Although Stubenrauch is a bit undersized as an attacker, she has a decent vertical jump and racks up kills by swinging to the deep corners of the court. Skills aside, she brings a positive and infectious energy to the court.
Stidham is the lone setter on the roster, and a talented one at that. So the team is in good hands with her running a 5-1. Already committed to Central Washington University, she brings a high level of play into the gym. She is able to execute a fast offense and does a good job establishing the middles early on in the game.