Prep Season Preview: 5A Top Passers
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Not a subscriber? Use the code ADAMS30 for 30% off! High school season is just beginning here in Oregon. With league play starting the week of September 4th, we are beginning to wrap up our pre-season content. We have a…
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High school season is just beginning here in Oregon. With league play starting the week of September 4th, we are beginning to wrap up our pre-season content. We have a few articles still left in this series, highlighting the top returning athletes playing for smaller schools (4A to 1A classifications).
Next up, the top passers from the 5A classification.
Maddie Angel
Maddie Angel
Angel had a breakout freshman campaign for South Albany High School, suiting up as the teams libero. For her play she received Mid-Willamette Honorable Mention accolades. Forgoing club volleyball, she flexes her athleticism in the offseason playing varsity basketball and softball. For the Redhawks, they will rely on her steady backrow play to succeed.
A Mid-Willamette Second Team All-Conference selection, Jensen aided in Silverton High School’s advancement to the 5A State quarterfinals, and one of the program’s most successful seasons to date! Playing club for CCE 18-1, she saw court time primarily as a defensive specialist. From the service line, she brings a tough jump float and, on defense, displays a quick reaction time to get her hands on the ball. Coming into her senior campaign, Jensen is well-equipped to lead the Bearcats backrow.
Matthews, a Northwest Oregon Second Team All-League selection, played a major factor in Wilsonville High School’s success as their libero. She helped them secure a 3rd place finish in the 5A State tournament. Spending her club season with Athena 17-2, she suited up as the team’s libero. She brings a calm demeanor to the court, leading the backrow with confidence. Her serve receive is steady, and she makes great defensive moves to keep the ball alive. The Wildcats will be looking to Matthews to be the backbone of their backcourt again.
Oceguera was integral across the backrow for Summit High School last season. During the club season, she played for NPJ Bend 16-1 and improved by leaps and bounds. Oceguera jumped out of the gym, so she was utilized as a six-rotation pin primarily. Also a sand player, her court vision and volleyball IQ are top-notch. This translates well to the court, where she is able to create plenty of point-scoring opportunities for herself, by seeing holes in the court. Given her position shift during club, it would not be surprising to see her in a similar role for the Storm, especially with a lot of senior attackers graduating.
Joslyhn Pope
Joslyhn Pope
Receiving Midwestern First Team All-Leauge and Midwestern Libero of the Year, the rising senior was a major contributor to Crater High School’s backrow last season. Playing club volleyball for Spiketown 17-1, Pope saw court time as the team’s primary libero. Defensively, she reads the court well and showcases no fear. She does a great job leading the court by constantly communicating with her teammates. With the Comets graduating five seniors, Pope will be a definite anchor for the group.
The incoming junior was an important part of the Summit High School lineup over the last season, after which she earned Intermountain Honorable Mention accolades for her play as their libero. She totaled up an insanely impressive 258 and 264 digs on the season. Coming into this year, Reynolds will definitely be utilized for her lethal jump float serve and her defensive abilities.
Highlights
A Mid-Willamette First Team All-League and First Team All-State selection, Street has been an integral piece of Crescent Valley High School’s success these past few seasons. Last season, as the team’s libero, she helped them to an undefeated season and a 5A State championship. Playing for G3 18-1 last club season, she anchored their backrow as the libero and aided in the team’s 2nd-place finish at CEVA Regionals. She is consistent on serve receive, creating solid angles to get the ball to the setter. And her ability to read the attack and react quickly on defense has only improved. For the Raiders to secure another 5A State championship, they will need Street’s backrow play to compete.