Club Team Close-Up: Apex NW Summit 16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Festival Fiesta 15/16 Open Division Champions! </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March is quickly approaching, and teams in the 15-18 age groups are beginning to show their quality. Apex NW Summit 16 is the first in a series of teams that will recieve deep dive coverage over the next month. The squad based out of Northern Washington recently recorded a championship at the Festival Fiesta Classic in Arizona. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Apex NW Summit 16 squad features a blend of size, athleticism and skill at every position. Three players are over 6-foot, mutiple players can run the DS/L spot and take swings from the pin, and the setter at the reigns was one of the more succesful 2027 prospects in the state during school ball. Coach Holly Ste. Marie has the team oprganized and battling hard headed into a March/April schedule that include the PNQ and Slat Lake Qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team posted a 7-1 record at the tournament, including a 4-0 final day to win the Club Division Championship. The single blemish on the team's schedule was a straight-set loss to Arizona Sky 15 National on day one, with that loss fueling the team through a series of three consecutive 2-1 victories to power into the Gold Bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["468570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The sophomore from Sehome was tabbed for a breakout club season in 2024 and bringing home a team title is a terrific start. Niewiadomski is adding shots to her tool kit, she is scoring on an accurate throw to the deep corner, and is always ready to power a ball around or over a block. Her overall skill was evident in Arizona, she plays excellent defense, delivers on point passing and will step in and set a clean second ball when she has to make a play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["484727"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u0026nbsp;rnrnLarrabee ran the show in a 5-1 for Apex NW, using strong hands to push the ball to the pin and showing confidence challenging opposing attackers at the net. The 2027 from Ferndale was the engine for the team, playing with fire and attacking effectively from the setter position, keeping defenses honest. Her ability to keep both middles involved in the offense paid dividends for Apex NW, and her creativity in set selection and crafty attacks is fun to watch. Larrabee plays to win, and her attitude positively","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["393086"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Andrews pulled on the #5 libero jersey and proceeded to make life difficult for any hitter trying to score all weekend long. She is tough enough to hand in against a big swing, and has the quick feet to cover tips and roll shots. Andrews was excellent covering her outsides, who are not afraid to challenge blockers. She was in position to pop up balls off the block and let her setter dial up another option. Teams tested her in serve receive, she made some short serves that might be difficult look like easy money.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64051018ca8d1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["393076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Foy is a defensive spark plug, and the Squalicum sophomore delivered when she was in the serve receive rotation. She had great communication with her team, and her energy was easy to see on the court. Foy played libero late in the season during the school season, giving Apex NW another player who knows what it takes to play the demanding position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["251029"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Wright has excellent length at 6'1u0022, and played big during the weekend run. She went up strong with two hands and jammed down overpasses and jousts, controlling the action at the net. Offensively, Wright showed a strong sweeping tip cross body, then mixed up her swings hitting a quick set with power to the angle to avoid the block. Her length proved too much for some attackers, she put up a good press and stuffed block several hitters.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":"","_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Torres difficult to put down any sort of off-speed shot on No Limits!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64051018ca978"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Flory was playing as a six-rotation outside and showed nice location on her swings, finding the deep corner for kills and keeping the defense working with smart shots. She is a quick defender patrolling the middle back, she reads the game well and gets an excellent jump on shots to the corners. Flory was solid in serve receive, crucial in allowing setter Larrabee to feed the middle consistently. She cut several swings at a hard, hard angle, leaving the off-ball defender flailing trying to dig it up!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["514338"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Meyer plays terrific defense and has a tough serve, and like many players on her team is versatile. She has great vision and coordination in serve receive, she gets an early look and is able to center line the ball- a bit of a lost art as volleyball continues to evolve. She will deliver a solid swing from the right side and has soft hands when she play s the ball overhand. Meyer is a 2026 out of Lynden Christian who makes big contributions in any role she is called on to fill.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["514337"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Winter is a versatile player who can run the middle, and is looking very comfortable on the right side for Apex NW. The 2026 Sehome prospect has a strong arm and works hard getting off the net and throwing up a solid block. Winter ran some excellent seam routes out of the middle at the Matt Hartner, and at the Festival Fiesta she delivered a serve with excellent pace that kept opponents off-balance. Her swing from the right side looked confident in Arizona, her continued development will give Apex NW another weapon to use this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["251030"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Stephan was not playing in the Festival Fiesta, however the 2026 prospect will be a huge factor for the team as the season continues.  The Lynden sophomore is an easy 6'2u0022 and can power down rockets from either pin. Stephan is athletic and uses her length as a blocker to change attackers shot selection, leading to good transition opportunities.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["514339"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another middle with size on the roster, De Lange played above the net, and with smart shot selection. She dropped in kills on soft tip to area 4, drilled quick tempo sets and adjusted on tough sets delivering with her left hand. The 2027 is 6'2u0022, and her attack off one foot is just getting started; running a 5-1 she will get the chance to dial it in completely. De Lange has dropped the hammer on some well timed slides this season, she is going to be a force working that attack as the season wears on.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64051018ca989"} /-->