Club Preview: Sports Academy Jen – 17 Premier
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At Prep Dig, we’re thrilled to showcase different club teams through our featured articles. Today, we’re proud to introduce The Sports Academy’s Jen 17 Premier from Thousand Oaks, California. We’re genuinely excited to elevate these players and bring you, their…
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Continue ReadingAt Prep Dig, we’re thrilled to showcase different club teams through our featured articles. Today, we’re proud to introduce The Sports Academy’s Jen 17 Premier from Thousand Oaks, California. We’re genuinely excited to elevate these players and bring you, their voices. Just wait until you get a glimpse of this roster, especially considering that five of the prospects are already committed.
SPECIAL CLUB SHOUTOUTS:
After a year of training with us, Hailey has shown her coachability, willingness to learn and work and her dependability in the backrow and from the service line. She has improved on all aspects of the game and with continued improvement will play at the D1 level.
Masina is a raw athlete, a big blocking presence, and has grown so much after just one year with us. Young in her grade, she’s using her athleticism to guide her improvement to play at the next level while she works hard and is a great teammate.
#3 Anya Baklenko S/OH, 2027
Anya is a strong leader and quick athlete with a high VB IQ. She is a tough competitor that has always played up 2 years, with an elite platform and setter mentality that will play either as a setter or libero at the D1 level. USA NTDP athlete.
#9 Reagan Maguire S, 2025
Reagan is a hard worker, fierce competitor and a 4.6 student. Her work ethic guides her to improve her whole game every year as a setter and quiet leader on our team. With continued improvement we are preparing her to play at the next level.
#13 London Halverson RS/OH, 2026
London is a young, new addition to our team, but we are excited about her next level physical frame and work ethic. Excited to develop her blocking presence and hitting range as she will be a force at the net for us.
#21 Piper Grant L/DS, 2025
Piper is a new addition to our team. She is a hard worker, very coachable, has a positive attitude and she will grow into a very steady presence for us in the backrow and from the service line. Looking forward to seeing that work ethic help her improve to get her to the next level.
#15 Manaia Ogbechie Manaia Ogbechie 6'3" | MB Oaks Christian | 2025 State #123 Nation CA MB, 2025 – Committed to Northwestern and USA NTDP athlete.
#17 Tessa de Albergaria L/DS, 2024 – Committed to George Washington
#23 Nicole Schuetz RS/OH, 2025 – Committed to LMU
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
#10 Eliana Urzua Eliana Urzua 6’2″ | OH Bishop Diego | 2025 State CA OH, 2025 – Committed to UCLA
“This year I will be continuing to play OH. This year I am most excited to play with my best friends and connect with them even more. Personally, this year I am aiming to get better in many aspects of my game. Some including blocking, defense and especially offense.”
#15 Manaia Ogbechie Manaia Ogbechie 6’3″ | MB Oaks Christian | 2025 State #123 Nation CA MB, 2025 – Committed to Northwestern and USA NTDP athlete.
“I’m one of 2 Middles (alongside Sarah Shaw Sarah Shaw 6’2″ | MB La Reina | 2025 CA !!) and enjoy playing in Coach Jen’s physical & disciplined defense and dynamic offense where I can run traditional attacks, quicks, slides, and opportunistically hit from the pins depending on matchups and rotation. I’m excited to be with my club team again and share the experiences of not only playing high level volleyball, traveling, and competing against the best players and teams in the country but also preparing myself to compete on the next stage in college and beyond. My Goals > Build my skillset, improve my athleticism/strength, and raise my court awareness as an attacker and defender; > Earn consideration as the best 17U team in California; > Finish top 10 at Triple Crown; > Earn an Open bid at each of the 3 national qualifiers we have entered (Sunshine Classic, Pacific Northwest, Salt Lake City Showdown); and > Finish top 5 at the National Championships.”
Highlights
Anya Baklenko
Anya Baklenko
#3 Anya Baklenko S/OH, 2027
“This year, I will be setting and playing all around in our offense. While setting is definitely my focus…I love being able to pass and play defense for this team. I am also excited to get my reps as an outside. In terms of this group coming back together this year, this is a special team with a ton of talent and so many of my closest friends out there playing with me. I am grateful for all of us to be together again as club season kicks off and most excited to see what we accomplish. For personal goals…. I want to continue to develop my game and lead this team to more wins this year. I tend to focus on what I can contribute to our team’s success, and we certainly have goals to be among the best in SoCal as well as the nation.”
Tessa de Albergaria
Tessa de Albergaria
17 Tessa de Albergaria L/DS 2024 – Committed to George Washington
“This upcoming season, I am planning on staying at the Libero/DS position. The most exciting thing I am looking forward to this season is playing the best club volleyball achievable for the last time with my second family until college. Personally, I am aiming to work on keeping a high, shrugged platform on serve receive, and reading my hitters on defense. Truly cannot wait to compete alongside this amazing group of girls this season. Go Sports Academy!”
Nicole Schuetz
Nicole Schuetz
#23 Nicole Schuetz RS/OH, 2025 – Committed to LMU
“I am planning to play OPP/OH. I’m looking forward to traveling and spending more time with my team. My main goal is to become more of a well-rounded player with many different skills including defense, serve receive, and setting.”
#4 Masina Ogbechie Masina Ogbechie 6’0″ | RS Oaks Christian School | 2026 State CA RS/OH, 2026
“I’m planning to play as a right side this year. What excites me the most about this season is learning from both my coaches and my teammates. Everyone on my team is so dedicated and fun to be around, and I’m so lucky that I get to surround myself with such an intense and loving group of girls. I’m particularly excited for our national-level tournaments down the road because they always bring such a high level of competition. I’m aiming to become a more well-rounded player, with my focuses being blocking and hitting to smart locations. I know I’m on the right team with the right coach to help me achieve these goals, so I can’t wait to see my improvement in these areas.”
Highlights
#2 Hailey Wilson Hailey Wilson 5’5″ | DS/L Oaks Christian | 2025 CA L/DS, 2025
“I am playing libero/DS this year. This year, I am most excited to play on a team with both old teammates and new and look forward to competing against some of the top teams in the nation with my best friends. I am hoping to keep improving on passing consistency and serving up lots of aces for my team!”