Club Team Spotlight: COVC 18-1 National
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Founded in 2018, Central Oregon Volleyball Club is a newer club to pop up out of the Bend, Oregon area. With limited club options for athletes in that area, seeing another competitive club option arise was both welcomed and needed.…
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Continue ReadingFounded in 2018, Central Oregon Volleyball Club is a newer club to pop up out of the Bend, Oregon area. With limited club options for athletes in that area, seeing another competitive club option arise was both welcomed and needed. Over five years, COVC has risen to prominence in the CEVA region, producing high-level teams across all age groups. Last season’s COVC 18-1 team finished an admirable 14th at Regionals. The current 18-1 team is a good combination of returning COVC athletes with a few standout pick-ups who previously played for NPJ Bend. The team recently had a great showing at the Salt Lake City Showdown, finishing 3rd in the American Division. The team will be led by club director and veteran coach Heidi Wood, who bolsters 20+ years of coaching experience. Assisting Wood again will be Bend native Alex Pitcher.
Hanna, a former NPJ Bend athlete, was a major pick-up for this group. She is a physical and athletic middle-blocker. She uses her tough swing and big block to score against opponents. Her blocking is impressive and definitely one of the best parts of her game. She is agressive at the net and moves well laterally to shut down many attackers. Hanna recently committed to play volleyball at Santa Barbara City College.
MacCallum, a Bend transplant, having moved from Portland prior to her sophomore season, has continued to make waves in the Central Oregon volleyball community. Previously playing for NPJ Bend during her sophomore and junior seasons, she was a great get for this group. A solid six-rotation attacker, she is refined in every aspect of her game. She brings a high level of play both defensively and offensively. MacCallum does an exceptional job attacking out of system and is smart with her placement, often resulting in a kill.
Retzloff is another standout addition from NPJ Bend, and comes in with a lot of high-level setting experience. She is an incredibly athletic and dynamic setter. While the team also has setter Whitney Farrell on the roster, they typically look to Retzloff to execute a 5-1. Given that she is 5’9”, she has no issue playing across the front row, putting up a solid block and a lethal setter dump. Retzloff is a talented multi-sport athlete and recently committed to play lacrosse at Colorado State University, Pueblo.
Bailey Robertson
Bailey Robertson
Robertson is a dynamic and athletic middle blocker. She does an exceptional job turning the ball to avoid the block. She is fast in transition and makes herself available to her setters consistently. Standing at 6-feet with an impressive vertical jump, she makes for a deadly attacker from anywhere across the front row. Only a class of 2024 athlete, she will be one to watch over the next year, given the improvements she has already made.
Villastrigo had a breakout high school season this past year with Crook County, helping lead the team to an impressive 4th place finish in the 4A State tournament. As the team’s primary libero, she proved frustrating to opponents’ offense as she picked up most everything. She took the #1 spot for most digs in the State on the season with an imposing 560 digs. For COVC, she will most likely be seen in the libero jersey, anchoring the team’s back-row play.
Gracie Vohs Gracie Vohs 6'0" | OH Sisters | 2024 State OR
Gracie Vohs Gracie Vohs 6'0" | OH Sisters | 2024 State OR
Vohs is a powerhouse six-rotation outside hitter. During the high school season for Sisters, she was their primary attacker and demonstrated some unstoppable play. She finished the season 7th for the most kills in the State on the season with an impressive 480. Likely, she will rarely be seen off the court for COVC with dominant play in both the front and back row. With an explosive approach and a quick arm, she proves tough to stop from the outside. Vohs recently committed to play D1 volleyball for Saint Mary’s College in California.
Zoe Waltosz
Zoe Waltosz
Waltosz is a talented defensive specialist and will undoubtedly be utilized in some form for this COVC team. With Villastrigo currently taking the reins as the team’s primary libero, she has been put in the lineup to play right-back for Mackenzie King Mackenzie King 6’1″ | OH Burns | 2024 State OR . She has a quick reaction time on defense and picks up some tough swings. Waltosz recently committed to play NAIA volleyball for Ottawa University in Arizona.