2024 CEVA GJNC 16U Bid Winners
The USAV National Bid tournament for the CEVA region was this past weekend, so high-level volleyball from 12U through 18U took place all over Oregon. The 16U age division was allotted three bids: a National Bid to the first-place team,…
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Continue ReadingThe USAV National Bid tournament for the CEVA region was this past weekend, so high-level volleyball from 12U through 18U took place all over Oregon. The 16U age division was allotted three bids: a National Bid to the first-place team, an American Bid to the second-place team, and a Freedom Bid to the third-place team. With eight teams vying for three bids, the competition was tough, but three teams prevailed and will be heading to the 2024 Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, NV.
The following teams from the CEVA region competed in the 16U Bid Tournament:
- NPJ Salem 16 National
- Athena 16 Gold
- Aspire NW 16 Empire
- Spiketown 16-1 National
- NPJ Salem 16 Elite
- Webfoot 16 Elite
- Athena 16 Black
- Excel 16-1 Lux
And the team’s heads to Las Vegas are…
NATIONAL BID – NPJ SALEM 16 NATIONAL
The NPJ Salem 16 National team secured the National bid after the bid tournament, sweeping the competition in sets and matches. On the roster are 11 Oregon athletes and 2 Washington athletes. Those Oregon athletes are all in the top 20 for the class of 2026 PrepDig rankings, so it is safe to say this is an incredibly talented team. With a National bid in the bag, this team will undoubtedly be vying for an Open bid at a National qualifying tournament.
With the #2 overall recruit Lily Mae Buerkle Lily Mae Buerkle 5'10" | S McDaniel | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) on the roster, the team opts to run a 5-1 with her in their more competitive matches. With finesse, a high volleyball IQ, and an ever-improving jump set, Buerkle masterfully executed a 5-1 at the bid tournament. Also on the roster is Irene Rocha Irene Rocha 5'8" | S Blanchet Catholic | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), who has been utilized as a setter and a DS/L depending on the team’s needs.
Both pins are absolutely stacked with talent and athleticism, with the ability to interchange their pin hitters match after match and still be incredibly successful, showing how deep their bench is in terms of talent. Reese Kincaid Reese Kincaid 6'2" | OH Central Catholic | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), Emma Brewer Emma Brewer 6'1" | OH Salem Academy | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), Sadie Ross Sadie Ross 6'2" | OH Jesuit | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), and Briella Mathis Briella Mathis 6'0" | OH South Salem | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) all take turns dominating from the outside. Their right side has been entrusted to incredibly bouncy and athletic players Iman Foster Iman Foster 5'10" | RS Jesuit | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) and Jada Johnson Jada Johnson 5'10" | RS Jesuit | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted). Both of their middle blockers, Shaylee Stephen Shaylee Stephen 6'2" | MB Camas | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted) and Quinn Pedersen Quinn Pedersen 6'2" | MB Camas | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted), hail from Camas, WA, and prove to be an incredibly formidable front.
With the trio of Yana Tuioti Yana Tuioti 5'8" | DS/L Sheldon | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), Kiana Johnson Kiana Johnson 5'6" | DS/L Jesuit | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), and Sidney Ginter Sidney Ginter 5'3" | DS/L Central Catholic | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), NPJ’s backrow is in top-notch hands. Running a two-libero system, Ginter and Tuioti finished the day in a libero jersey.
AJ Francis is the head coach of this NPJ, with assistance from NPJ and Corban alum Jojo Daviscourt.
AMERICAN BID – ATHENA 16 GOLD
Athena 16 Gold took home the American bid after battling their way to the finals, falling to NPJ 16 National, their only loss of the day.
With three talented setters on Athena’s roster, the team opts to run a 6-2 between Sloan Hefeneider Sloan Hefeneider 5'8" | S Jesuit | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), Onyi Nwosu Onyi Nwosu 5'7" | S Central Catholic | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), and Madeline Harrington Madeline Harrington 5'9" | S Sunset | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted).
The #4 overall recruit from Washington, Gabriella Thompson Gabriella Thompson 6'0" | OH Camas | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted), shoulders a major offensive load for the team, playing as a six-rotation outside hitter. Typically playing Thompson’s opposite is Madison Sherby Madison Sherby 5'9" | OH Valley Catholic | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), an undersized yet incredibly impactful attacker with solid ball control. Addison Green (‘26 Uncommitted) and setter Harrington are generally seen commanding the right side. Molly Wilson Molly Wilson 5'8" | OH Glencoe | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) and Rose Holmes (‘27 Uncommitted) are also on the roster as attackers. However, Wilson has begun to transition to more of a DS/L spot this club season. Their primary middle is 6’3” Hayley Schaaf Hayley Schaaf 6'3" | MB Catlin Gabel | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), with Makenna Ennes Makenna Ennes 5'11" | MB Mountainside | 2026 State OR and Olivia Diaz Olivia Diaz 6'0" | MB Jesuit | 2026 State OR also seeing time in the middle.
Their backcourt is in good hands with the defensive duo of Emmah Sanchez Emmah Sanchez 5'7" | DS/L Camas | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted), from Camas, WA, and Grady May Heinle (‘26 Uncommitted), who split libero duties depending on the match.
The head coach of this team is Jarrod Ferguson, and assisting him is Jennifer Wineholt.
FREEDOM BID – ASPIRE NW 16 EMPIRE
Aspire NW 16 Empire took home the Freedom bid. They battled for five matches, defeating Spiketown 16-1 National to secure a bid to Nationals.
With Gracie Jacoby Gracie Jacoby 5'11" | S Prairie | 2027 State WA , the #10 overall Washington recruit from the class of 2027, on the roster, the team tends to go for a 6-2 offense with Jacoby and Cadence Austin Cadence Austin 5'6" | S Sam Barlow | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) splitting setting duties. Due to Jacoby’s versatility, she stays in to attack on the right side.
For Aspire, they have a handful of talented pins to choose from. Finley Marine Finley Marine 5'9" | OH Portland Christian | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) and Alyssandra Ordona (‘26 Uncommitted), both undersized with impressive leaping abilities and a quick arm swing, are often seen hitting on the outside. Royal Grafton Royal Grafton 5'9" | OH Kelso | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted) and Reagan Austin Reagan Austin 5'9" | OH Sam Barlow | 2026 OR (‘26 Uncommitted) have also been given opportunities to swing on the outside. Typically controlling the right side are setter Jacoby and Alina Shawgo Alina Shawgo 5'11" | OH Skyview | 2026 State WA (‘26 Uncommitted). The middle combination of Anna Orlowski (‘26 Uncommitted) and Riley Seymer (‘26 Uncommitted) shows to be an intimidating front.
Aviana Trees Aviana Trees 5'3" | DS/L Nelson | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) has been sporting the libero jersey since the start of the club season and the bid tournament was no different, commanding the backrow. Avery Eterno (‘26 Uncommitted) proved to be a solid defensive specialist option to play the backrow for a pin hitter when needed.
SueAnn McWatters head coaches this team with the assistance of Yung Nguyen.
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