Standout 2024 Passers at CEVA Regionals
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Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off! The culminating event for the CEVA club season is the Regional tournament. Taking place at the Portland Expo center across two days, hundreds of teams took the court to secure…
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The culminating event for the CEVA club season is the Regional tournament. Taking place at the Portland Expo center across two days, hundreds of teams took the court to secure their final standing for the season. We were able to see some of the best athletes from Oregon and SW Washington compete and took note of the stellar performances we saw. We will be featuring those athletes who impressed us throughout the coming weeks.
Without further ado, here are the 2024 passers who had standout performances.
Emelynn Cecil
Emelynn Cecil
Cecil is tiny but mighty, flying around the court to cover the Excel NW 17 Lux team’s back row. Taking on the team’s defensive load during Regionals, Cecil played fearlessly, making dynamic movements on defense. Cecil’s natural leadership shone through during her team’s matches and helped carry the 17 Lux team to a solid 11th place finish in the Open division.
Chan is ranked #1 in the defensive specialist/libero position for the class of 2024, and it’s no surprise why. The Wisconsin commit is super quick and disciplined, getting her feet to nearly any ball and staying low on defense to make plays off of really tough hits. During Regionals, Chan’s steady and high level back row play led the Athena 17-1 team to an impressive 5-0 finish in the Open division.
Splitting back row coverage primarily with Ava Makua Ava Makua 5’0″ | DS/L Lebanon | 2024 State OR , Daviscourt played steadily throughout the tournament with solid defense and a tough serve from the baseline. Notably, she stepped up big time on Sunday when Makua went out with a potential concussion, pushing the NPJ 17 National team to a close match against OJVA 17-1 and a 7th place finish in the Open division.
Although she is normally a standout athlete from the outside, Dreves played out of position as the OJVA 17-1 libero during Regionals due to an ankle injury. Despite that position change, Dreves tore it up defensively, anchoring the back row solidly and bringing her team to a strong 4th place finish in the Open division. She played all out throughout the weekend, showing off her scrappy and solid defense.
Highlights
Coming in ranked #3 for the class of 2024 in the defensive specialist/libero position, Makua showed why she is one of this class’s top ranked liberos during Regionals. Although she went out with a potential concussion during NPJ 17 National’s last match against OJVA 17-1, Makua controlled her team’s back row alongside Daviscourt up until that final match. Makua’s ability to make quick and effective reads on defense really set her apart as a back row player during the tournament.
Nguyen was yet another high ranked defensive specialist/libero for the class of 2024 who played super well during Regionals, helping lead her OJVA 17-1 team to its 4th place finish. From the baseline, Nguyen has an insanely tough and impressive jump serve that came in clutch during the tournament. Playing from left back as a DS, Nguyen showed off her vocalness and ability to put up playable digs on nearly every ball.
Highlights
A defensive specialist/libero turned outside hitter, Nielsen showed off her defensive skills during her back row play last weekend. With her steady serve receive, quick and disciplined defense, and a great read on the opposing teams’ attackers to make some amazing digs and plays, Nielsen led her PVC 18-1 team to an incredible 1st place finish in the 18s division.
As the NPJ Salem 17 Elite libero, Nieves took charge in the back row and controlled her team’s defense well. From the baseline, her jump float serve proved deadly. On serve receive, Nieves did an excellent job of tracking the ball off the server’s hand and putting up a beautiful pass. She stayed controlled and disciplined on defense to get a touch on every ball that came her way.
Highlights
Playing primarily as a defensive specialist this past weekend after Dreves took on the libero role, Reiter covered tons of court from the left back and helped hold down the OJVA 17-1 team’s back row. She is an insanely quick defensive player with an impressive reaction time, constantly on her toes and diving to make plays. On serve receive, Reiter showed off her control and consistency, proving why she is tied for #2 in the defensive specialist/libero role for the class of 2024.
Highlights
Leading the G3 18-1s team to a 2nd place finish in the 18s division during Regionals was libero Dani Street, who always manages to impress with her effortless diving plays, quick reads on the ball, and insane coverage of her hitters. It’s not surprise that she is tied with Makua for #2 in the 2024 defensive/specialist/libero rankings. Street combined her steady, unbreakable serve receive with her fast, flying plays around the court to control her team’s back row and lead them to their 5-1 record over the weekend.