Club Team Spotlight: Rise Medford 16 National
Playing out of and dominating from the Rogue Valley is the Rise Medford 16 National team, whose impressive 14-7 16U power league record has put them ranked at 7th going into Regionals. The team also had a strong finish at…
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Continue ReadingPlaying out of and dominating from the Rogue Valley is the Rise Medford 16 National team, whose impressive 14-7 16U power league record has put them ranked at 7th going into Regionals. The team also had a strong finish at 29th out of 152 teams in the 2023 Matt Hartner Memorial Classic. They will be a fun team to follow during Regionals, where they will be aiming to end the season with a top ten finish. The 16 National team is coached by Julie Hunter and Megan Bartling.
Julia Brehm
Julia Brehm
Playing primarily from the right side but with the ability to hit from anywhere on the court, Brehm is a talented athlete. She puts up a really strong block, hanging in the air and pressing over the net well to stop outside hitters on the other team from scoring. When attacking, Brehm has a powerful arm and an explosive approach that she uses to put the ball away frequently.
Megan Carr
Megan Carr
At nearly 6’0”, Carr is one of the Rise 16 team’s big middle hitters, who – alongside her opposite Daija Malcolm – is an impressive point scorer for the team. Carr is an excellent blocker, getting her arms high over the net and pressing well. She is efficient in her blocking movements, too, and closes at the pins well. Carr has a super tough float jump serve, making her a weapon from both the front row and the baseline.
Hitting from the outside is Hunter, a powerful pin hitter with a heavy arm that she uses to put the ball away. Hunter also has a high volleyball IQ, which she uses to make smart shots and mix up her hits frequently, keeping opponents on their toes every time she goes up to swing at the ball. From the baseline, Hunter has a bullet of a serve.
Daija Malcolm
Daija Malcolm
The 16 National team’s other middle hitter, Malcolm, is fun to watch. Malcolm moves around the court quickly and effortlessly, putting up big and tough blocks and shutting down opponents consistently. Malcolm is super athletic, which she uses to jump high and swing powerfully to put the ball away from the middle.
Grace McCauley
Grace McCauley
McCauley, who plays as the team’s primary libero, is super quick on defense and is not afraid to hit the floor to pick up balls. She manages to put up some really great passes off of hard hits, helping kickstart her team’s tough offense. McCauley is also steady on serve receive. Her back row talent overall has helped bring the 16 National team success this season.
Kendall Stidham Kendall Stidham 5'8" | S Crater | 2026 State OR
Kendall Stidham Kendall Stidham 5'8" | S Crater | 2026 State OR
As the team’s setter, Stidham carries a big weight to ensure that her team’s offense stays on point. Despite that pressure, Stidham is a solid setter who leads her team well. She has mastered the art of sneakily dumping the ball over on two to score. When she sets her hitters, Stidham combines quick footwork with excellent placement to give her teammates great sets. Stidham also has a tough jump float serve from the baseline.