Club Team Spotlight: NPJ Salem 16-1 National
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The North Pacific Juniors 16-1 National team out of Salem has proven early on they are a force to be reckoned with. With most of the team returning from various NPJ teams, plus a few standout additions, they have taken…
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Continue ReadingThe North Pacific Juniors 16-1 National team out of Salem has proven early on they are a force to be reckoned with. With most of the team returning from various NPJ teams, plus a few standout additions, they have taken the CEVA Open tournaments by storm. After going 2-2 at last weekend’s Open tournament, the team currently sits at #8 in the region, the 2nd highest 16U team in the Open division. Leading this team is coach Kayce Lilley who is the current head coach at Dallas High School. Assisting Lilley will be AJ Francis, an assistant coach for Linn Benton Community College.
Blake is a talented and versatile pin hitter. An NPJ returner, she saw significant court time last season as an outside hitter for their 15-1 team. With the ability to be terminal from both pins, she is an offensive threat to the group. Putting up a big block and the ability to swing lots of angles, she makes for a solid option on the right side.
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Doan-Mitchell is a physical six-rotation outside hitter, not afraid to unload on the ball. She attacks the ball high and deep to rack up kills. She can obliterate the ball down the line or barrel it into the deep cross corner. She is coming off a solid high school season where she shouldered a massive load all around for North Eugene. She was awarded Midwestern First Team All-League.
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Returning from the NPJ 15-1 team, it is assumed Elgarico will see a similar role as she did last club season as one of their middle blockers. Her approach is explosive, and her swing is quick, consistently getting on top of the ball. Also, she is dynamic and versatile, with the ability to play any position across the front row at a high level. This last high school season with Marist Catholic, she played on the outside.
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Hyland is an incredibly athletic setter and has risen to a high level of play in a very short amount of time. Starting her competitive volleyball career in 8th grade, having to give up high-level gymnastics, she definitely started later than most, but that has clearly not held her back in the slightest. Her hyper-athleticism is noticeable on the court. A setter, she is dynamic and has a soft touch on the ball.
Morrissette is back rocking an NPJ jersey after a one-season stint playing for Athena 15 National. She is a high-level setter with the ability to set across the front row given her height. She does an exceptional job setting against the grain, creating many point-scoring opportunities for her attackers. Given her hand strength, she can do this when it seems near impossible, pushing a ball from way right to the outside and vice versa.
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Madsen was an impressive pickup for the NPJ 15-1 team, previously playing for OJVA 15-1. She showcased a lot of improvement over the past year, honing in on her craft in the middle. She is fast in transition and consistently makes herself available to her setter. Tall and athletic, she is well on her way to being a top middle blocker coming out of the state of Oregon for her class.
Theis, who recently took the #1 spot for the class of 2025, is undoubtedly a major impact in every aspect of the game for this NPJ team. An offensive weapon, she is utilized in both the front and back row for her hammer of a swing. She is a dynamic six-rotation outside hitter and plays the back row with great confidence. She is coming off a fantastic high school season with Oregon City where she was named Three Rivers League Player of the Year and helped the team finish 4th in the 6A State tournament.
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A dynamic but undersized, six-rotation outside hitter, Tuioti may see a different role this season for NPJ 16-1 then she has in seasons past. She has some serious competition ahead of her to see court time as a pin hitter. However, she may be able to secure her spot in the starting lineup as a libero/defensive specialist. The only freshman on the roster, Tuioti proves that she is an asset to this group.