2024 CEVA GJNC 17U Bid Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 17U 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following teams from the CEVA region competed in the 18U Bid Tournament:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Salem 17 National</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Portland 17 National</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rise 17 Flagship</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OJVA 17-1 Gold</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Aspire NW 17-1 Empire</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Bend 17 National</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Salem 17 Elite</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rise 17 Medford </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the team's heads to Las Vegas are…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NATIONAL BID - NPJ SALEM 17 NATIONAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NPJ Salem 17-1 National took home the National bid, going undefeated in both sets and matches, dominating the competition. A team comprised of some of the top 2025 talent in Oregon, they should do quite well at the national level. It would be unsurprising if this team upgraded to an open bid at a national qualifying tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three top setters on the roster in [player_tooltip player_id='161930' first='Ava' last='Ainsworth'] (‘25 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='161823' first='Evie' last='Morrissette'] (‘25 Uncommitted), and [player_tooltip player_id='161158' first='Kamden' last='Mitchell'] (‘25 University of Oregon), their offense is in exceptionally good hands. Opting to run a 5-1 with Oregon dual commit Mitchell in competitive matches, she was seen managing the offense at the bid tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pins for NPJ 17 National are some of the heaviest and most powerful arms in the state. Typically, [player_tooltip player_id='257561' first='Gabby' last='Hill'] (‘25 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='161820' first='Mylee' last='Blake'] (‘25 Uncommitted) are seen swinging on the outside, while [player_tooltip player_id='161827' first='Nyah' last='Doan Mitchell'] (‘25 Uncommitted) plays all around on the right side. Bella Jacobson (‘25 Uncommitted) has been utilized as a DS/L, serving specialist, or pin hitter, depending on the team's needs that match. Their middles, [player_tooltip player_id='498821' first='Avalynn' last='Roundy'] (‘25 Grand Canyon University) and [player_tooltip player_id='161841' first='Giana' last='Elgarico'] (‘25 University of Oregon, Beach), ooze some serious athleticism and prove a formidable front. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team ran a two-libero system at the bid tournament, with [player_tooltip player_id='161846' first='Jeryn' last='Hildenbrand'] (‘25 Uncommitted) managing the defensive side of things and [player_tooltip player_id='257589' first='Brooklyn' last='Rapp'] (‘25 Uncommitted) keeping it steady on serve receive. [player_tooltip player_id='161942' first='Avery' last='Axmaker'] (‘25 Uncommitted) is also on the roster as a DS/L option.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NPJ Salem 17 National team is head-coached by Kayce Lilley and assisted by Maya Davison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AMERICAN BID - NPJ PORTLAND 17 NATIONAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NPJ Portland 17-1 National team took home the American bid after bouncing back from a three-set loss to OJVA 17-1 Gold to fight their way into the finals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Typically, the team runs a 6-2 offense with [player_tooltip player_id='257578' first='Phoebe' last='Hyland'] (‘25 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='161871' first='Allison' last='Hawk']&nbsp; (‘25 Uncommitted). Hawk is rarely seen off the court as one of their primary offensive options when attacking on the right side in the front row. Hyland will play the three backrow rotations before a pin comes in to play her front-row rotations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For NPJ, [player_tooltip player_id='161864' first='Alexa' last='Cornell'] (‘25 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='249599' first='Emma' last='Fauth'] (‘25 Uncommitted) are generally seen attacking on the outside. On the right side, Jaslyn Reed (‘25 Uncommitted) and Grace Landon (‘25 Uncommitted) are both adept options, along with setter [player_tooltip player_id='161871' first='Allison' last='Hawk']. Utility player [player_tooltip player_id='161953' first='Brooklyn' last='Boyd'] (‘25 Uncommitted) can also be seen fulfilling this role, along with many others, depending on the team's needs. The middle is in good hands with the trio [player_tooltip player_id='248860' first='Katie' last='Brewer'] (‘25 Uncommitted), Anneliese Roesinger (‘25 Uncommitted), and Abigail Gibson (‘25 Uncommitted).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their backcourt has been entrusted to libero [player_tooltip player_id='249598' first='Emma' last='Comer'] (‘25 Uncommitted), a speedy and vocal defensive specialist. [player_tooltip player_id='447987' first='Rhyan' last='Tanferani'] (‘25 Uncommitted) has proved a solid defensive specialist option to play the backcourt for a pin hitter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NPJ Portland 17 National team is head-coached by Eric Leibbrandt and assisted by former Portland State athlete Zoe McBride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FREEDOM BID - RISE 17 FLAGSHIP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Placing third at the bid tournament to secure the Freedom bid was the Rise 17 Flagship team, a team comprised of sophomores, juniors, and seniors from in and around Rogue Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running the offense for Rise 17 Flagship has been tasked to [player_tooltip player_id='503530' first='Kendall' last='Stidham'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='503536' first='Rylan' last='Hunter'] (‘26 Uncommitted). Although young, both from the class of 2026, they have done an exceptional job adjusting to a faster-paced game competing in Open.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the outside, Emma Kness (‘24 Rogue Community College) brings senior experience to the court as their six-rotation pin. Typically playing her opposite is Addison Holcomb (‘25 Uncommitted). Right sides [player_tooltip player_id='161844' first='Poppy' last='Freeman'] (‘25 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='191197' first='Lanie' last='Snow'] (‘25 Uncommitted), and Daija Malcolm (‘25 Uncommitted) are all imposing options. Snow also makes for a talented middle option if needed. However, when the pair of [player_tooltip player_id='268757' first='Cali' last='Bitzer'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='161831' first='Alexa' last='Gugliotta'] (‘25 Uncommitted) are on, they are an absolutely relentless combination.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sporting the libero jersey for Rise is [player_tooltip player_id='161825' first='Callie' last='Aplin'] (‘25 Uncommitted), a top DS/L from Rogue Valley. Also on the roster is utility player [player_tooltip player_id='503538' first='Kahlia' last='Cage'] (‘26 Uncommitted), who makes for a solid option to play the backcourt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christine Nelson is the head coach of the Rise 17 Flagship team, with assistance from Claire Hawkins and Jordyn McCutcheon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->