PNW Nationals Wrap: 15 more Prospects!
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The 2023 USAV GJNC has come to a close, and the Club season is over! I hope everyone is ready for tryouts next week! It’s tome to take a closer look at some of the teams and players who stood…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 USAV GJNC has come to a close, and the Club season is over! I hope everyone is ready for tryouts next week! It’s tome to take a closer look at some of the teams and players who stood out in Chicago on the final two days, covering players we did not see on day 1 and 2. With 20+ Pacific Northwest teams in action, the Upper Left had serious representation at the final national championship of the indoor club season. Let the summer begin!
Hailey McEllrath Hailey McEllrath 6'0" | MB Ridgefield | 2024 State WA , Athena 17 The Athena Gold team rolled in the championship match of the American Division, taking down Arizona Storm 17 in two. MccEllrath is another ferocious Athena middle, she can score from the seam and puts up a big block for her defenders playing in the back row. Libero Maile Chan Maile Chan 5'3" | DS/L Mountainside | 2024 State #156 Nation OR had a tough lefty serve working and she was keeping the energy high for everyone on and off the court. Big Congrats to the team for taking home a title at Nationals!
Heather Barbee Heather Barbee 5'6" | DS/L West Valley Yakima | 2025 State WA , CRU 16 Baden The CRU libero has been on a roll, she had a great tournament at the Emerald City Classic and continued her excellent play in Chicago. Barbee has a sense for balls that are headed out, she rarely misses when she makes a decision. Her second ball setting has been developing this season, she was showing great technique and control in the match today with Spiral. Middle Kailey Willsey Kailey Willsey 6'0" | OH Davis | 2025 State WA has added some depth to her offensive game, she is swinging hard running the slide in transition, but drops in a soft tip to keep defenses honest.
Lauren Wiese Lauren Wiese 6'3" | MB Eastside Catholic | 2025 State WA and Juleah Leapai Juleah Leapai 5'8" | S Bellevue | 2026 State WA , SIVBC 16 Thunder Wiese is a powerful middle who dominated the front line at times in a match versus CYVBC Surge. Her blocking was tremendous and she plays the ball well defensively too. Leapai will make her attackers stay on point, she reads the defense and finds the best matchups, players had better be ready to swing out of the pipe or when running a route behind the 2026 setter. Leapai is poised for a big year for Bellevue. How about one more SIVBC standout? Sophie Joy Ella Lobet Sophie Joy Ella Lobet 5'2" | DS/L Mount Si | 2024 State WA played all out in the libero spot for the Thunder squad. She made some crazy digs on swings that seemed to be sure kills. The Mt. Si 2024 plays with great energy and a passion for the game.
Grace Jones Grace Jones 5'9" | S South Whidbey | 2024 State WA , SNVF 17 White. Jones is a player that should be getting looks from college programs, the 2024 setter is quick to the ball, willing to reverse the flow, and plays great defense. She was on point with some great dumps to score against CSA 17 Navy. In the same match, Hannah Jeanne Johnson Hannah Jeanne Johnson 6'0" | MB Lynnwood | 2024 State WA posted a monster block to get the momentum rolling, then Mariyah Young Mariyah Young 5'8" | OH North Creek | 2024 State WA followed up with the hammer off the block from the outside. SNVF has been a fun team to watch all season with players willing to let it rip.
Rylee Booth and Aimee Brester Aimee Brester 5'7" | S Liberty | 2024 State WA , Seattle Juniors 17. Brester has soft hands, and as a setter plays with a calm, positive attitude. She has a huge smile for her teammates when they make a play. Brester can do a bit of everything too, she turned on a second ball and took a strong swing against LEVBC U17. Booth plays with bounce and an urgency to her game, she was driving the ball hard line from the outside. Each time I watch Victoria Plumb Victoria Plumb 5'5" | DS/L Inglemoor | 2024 State WA at the libero spot I see good things, she gets in tight to cover for her hitters and has great hands that let her react and poke up a ball at the last second.
Annika Wright Annika Wright 5'9" | S Tahoma | 2025 State WA and Aly Skagen Aly Skagen 5'9" | OH Kentwood | 2025 State WA , NPJ Seattle 16 The NPJ squad has been competitive at national tournaments all season long, they posted a 5-5 record in the National Division, winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Wright is silky smooth as a setter, she has an effortless delivery and holds the block to help the offense. Skagen took big swings out of the pipe in the final match of the day against L2 161, moving it around the court to score. She has the snap on her swing to get pace on an attack from almost any angle or set location.