Club Team Spotlight: NPJ Salem 15 National
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As one of only three 15s teams playing in the CEVA Open division, the NPJ Salem 15 National team is holding its own and competing at the highest level. Although the team is ranked 25th out of 28 total teams…
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Continue ReadingAs one of only three 15s teams playing in the CEVA Open division, the NPJ Salem 15 National team is holding its own and competing at the highest level. Although the team is ranked 25th out of 28 total teams in the Open division, they have a solid 5-7 record – an impressive feat for being one of the younger teams in the division – and they have played solidly at the national level. At the CEVA GJNC Bid Tournament, the team finished in third, earning a bid to the 2023 GJNC Tournament. The NPJ Salem 15 National team also finished 25th out of 152 teams at the 2023 Matt Hartner Memorial Classic and 13th of 37 teams at the 2023 Salt Lake City Showdown. The athletes on this team have a ton of potential to become top level competitors within the next few years. The team is coached by Troy Shorey, who’s coached for NPJ for several seasons and who has been the head coach for Crescent Valley High School since 2018. Shorey is assisted by Lily Snook, who played a season for Portland State University and who currently plays at Corban University as a defensive specialist.
Brewer, a six-rotation outside hitter, is an athlete to watch over the next few years. Brewer is a powerful weapon from the front row, jumping high and swinging fast to bury the ball anywhere on the court. In the back row, she is quick and unafraid to make tough diving plays to pick up hard driven attacks from opponents. Her serve receive play is solid, too, making Brewer a stand out all-around player.
Hitting from the middle is Haury, whose speed and athleticism make her a strong front row player. Haury’s quickness allows her to close at the pins efficiently, and her impressive vertical helps her put up a big block. With her great connection with her setters, Irene Rocha Irene Rocha 5’8″ | S Blanchet Catholic | 2026 State OR and Kamree Orizotti Kamree Orizotti 5’10” | S South Salem | 2026 State OR , Haury can run quick plays well and put the ball away from the middle.
Jespersen, who commands the back row as the team’s libero, is not afraid to fly around the court on serve receive and in defense. At only 5’0” tall, Jespersen is able to get to a lot of balls that not many other athletes could get to, and uses her speed and quickness effectively on defense. Jespersen’s consistency in the back row helps her team run a solid offense.
Hitting from the outside opposite Brewer is Mathis, an offensive weapon for the Salem 15s team. Mathis jumps high, using her explosive approach and her powerful arm to put the ball away. Mathis has strong court vision, too, which she uses to make smart plays and place the ball into open court.
Orizotti, who typically runs a 6-2 opposite Irene Rocha Irene Rocha 5’8″ | S Blanchet Catholic | 2026 State OR , is a consistent and athletic setter. Orizotti’s quick footwork helps her get her hands on nearly every pass that comes her way, and her strength allows her to push balls to the outside from the other side of the court. On defense, Orizotti is disciplined and able to make some impressive digs to keep the ball in play.
Like Orizotti, Rocha is a strong and steady setter who effectively runs her team’s offense. Rocha has great court vision, which she uses to make sneaky plays on two, and which helps her see where the blockers are on the other side of the court. Rocha has developed an excellent connection with her attackers, and her court presence brings energy to her team.
Highlights
Hitting on the right side is lefty Stewart, who is currently ranked #1 in that position for the class of 2026. Stewart uses her height well, reaching high and putting the ball away deep into the court. She has also developed the ability to hit off and around blockers’ hands effectively, scoring points for her team consistently when she is set.