2024 CEVA GJNC 17U 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 17U 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 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.
The following teams from the CEVA region competed in the 18U Bid Tournament:
- NPJ Salem 17 National
- NPJ Portland 17 National
- Rise 17 Flagship
- OJVA 17-1 Gold
- Aspire NW 17-1 Empire
- NPJ Bend 17 National
- NPJ Salem 17 Elite
- Rise 17 Medford
And the team’s heads to Las Vegas are…
NATIONAL BID – NPJ SALEM 17 NATIONAL
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.
With three top setters on the roster in Ava Ainsworth Ava Ainsworth 6'1" | S Marshfield | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), Evie Morrissette Evie Morrissette 6'0" | S Sprague | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), and Kamden Mitchell Kamden Mitchell 5'10" | S Crescent Valley | 2025 State #41 Nation OR (‘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.
The pins for NPJ 17 National are some of the heaviest and most powerful arms in the state. Typically, Gabby Hill Gabby Hill 6'0" | OH Nelson | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) and Mylee Blake Mylee Blake 6'1" | OH West Albany | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) are seen swinging on the outside, while Nyah Doan Mitchell Nyah Doan Mitchell 5'11" | OH North Eugene | 2025 State OR (‘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, Avalynn Roundy Avalynn Roundy 6'3" | MB Marist Catholic | 2025 State OR (‘25 Grand Canyon University) and Giana Elgarico Giana Elgarico 5'11" | MB Marist Catholic | 2025 State OR (‘25 University of Oregon, Beach), ooze some serious athleticism and prove a formidable front.
The team ran a two-libero system at the bid tournament, with Jeryn Hildenbrand Jeryn Hildenbrand 5'6" | DS/L Westside Christian | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) managing the defensive side of things and Brooklyn Rapp Brooklyn Rapp 5'7" | DS/L McMinnville | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) keeping it steady on serve receive. Avery Axmaker Avery Axmaker 5'6" | DS/L South Salem | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) is also on the roster as a DS/L option.
The NPJ Salem 17 National team is head-coached by Kayce Lilley and assisted by Maya Davison.
AMERICAN BID – NPJ PORTLAND 17 NATIONAL
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.
Typically, the team runs a 6-2 offense with Phoebe Hyland Phoebe Hyland 5'7" | S Oregon City | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) and Allison Hawk Allison Hawk 5'10" | S West Linn | 2025 State OR (‘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.
For NPJ, Alexa Cornell Alexa Cornell 5'9" | OH West Linn | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) and Emma Fauth Emma Fauth 5'11" | OH Wilsonville | 2025 State OR (‘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 Allison Hawk Allison Hawk 5'10" | S West Linn | 2025 State OR . Utility player Brooklyn Boyd Brooklyn Boyd 5'8" | OH Centennial | 2025 State OR (‘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 Katie Brewer Katie Brewer 6'0" | MB Centennial | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), Anneliese Roesinger (‘25 Uncommitted), and Abigail Gibson (‘25 Uncommitted).
Their backcourt has been entrusted to libero Emma Comer Emma Comer 5'4" | DS/L Oregon City | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), a speedy and vocal defensive specialist. Rhyan Tanferani Rhyan Tanferani 5'8" | DS/L Nelson | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) has proved a solid defensive specialist option to play the backcourt for a pin hitter.
The NPJ Portland 17 National team is head-coached by Eric Leibbrandt and assisted by former Portland State athlete Zoe McBride.
FREEDOM BID – RISE 17 FLAGSHIP
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.
Running the offense for Rise 17 Flagship has been tasked to Kendall Stidham Kendall Stidham 5'8" | S Crater | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) and Rylan Hunter Rylan Hunter 5'5" | S Cascade Christian | 2026 State OR (‘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.
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 Poppy Freeman Poppy Freeman 5'11" | MB Cascade Christian | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), Lanie Snow Lanie Snow 6'2" | MB Crater | 2025 State OR (‘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 Cali Bitzer Cali Bitzer 6'0" | MB Mazama | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted) and Alexa Gugliotta Alexa Gugliotta 6'0" | MB Crater | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted) are on, they are an absolutely relentless combination.
Sporting the libero jersey for Rise is Callie Aplin Callie Aplin 5'5" | DS/L Crater | 2025 State OR (‘25 Uncommitted), a top DS/L from Rogue Valley. Also on the roster is utility player Kahlia Cage Kahlia Cage 5'9" | RS Marshfield | 2026 State OR (‘26 Uncommitted), who makes for a solid option to play the backcourt
Christine Nelson is the head coach of the Rise 17 Flagship team, with assistance from Claire Hawkins and Jordyn McCutcheon.