Golden Athlete: Soë Jung Shines Spotlight on OJVA Teammates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A major shoutout to&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/author/michelle-bamford-author/"><strong>Michelle Bamford</strong></a>&nbsp;from PrepDig California for the creation and inspiration behind this article series.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Because Michelle Bamford's introductory paragraph perfectly sums up the importance of this series, we are using her words to kick off this series in Oregon…</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acknowledging and cherishing the dedication of those who stand by your side on the court is paramount in the pursuit of victory. To emphasize the importance of acknowledging and showing appreciation to teammates and to spotlight the pivotal role their support plays in the quest for greatness, we've extended an invitation to&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='161824' first='Soë' last='Jung']</strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kamden-mitchell/"></a>&nbsp;to share her insights on the players who make up her club team. Through her words, we aim to shed light on the indispensable contributions of the teammates who have been instrumental in shaping her success on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":524459,"width":"942px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-23-123441.png?w=756" alt="" class="wp-image-524459" style="width:942px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OJVA 17 Gold team photo</strong> (from L to R: coach Anna Dillard, [player_tooltip player_id='257582' first='Steel' last='Sinai'], [player_tooltip player_id='257594' first='Emily' last='Kitchin'], [player_tooltip player_id='161835' first='Cecily' last='Wagstaff'], [player_tooltip player_id='161849' first='Kaarina' last='Geymann'], coach Jeannette Lee, Kali Buchanan, [player_tooltip player_id='249619' first='Sienna' last='Rasmussen'], [player_tooltip player_id='268713' first='Zola' last='Zuccolo'], [player_tooltip player_id='161824' first='Soë' last='Jung'], coach Izzy Valentine, not pictured: Holly Tinker, [player_tooltip player_id='249593' first='Audra' last='Rose']) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249593"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac96ec6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='249593' first='Audra' last='Rose'] is an outstanding player. She plays a huge role on our team. She has a powerful arm swing and a high volleyball IQ which makes her extremely effective as a middle. She works hard for every play. I love her!!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161835"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac96f22"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Cecily is a huge part of our offense. We have been teammates since 12s and I've watched her grow into a strong and powerful player. She has amazing energy and will always put a smile on my face!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["257594"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac96f6f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë:</strong> Emily is a joy to have on our team. I love her intensity and enthusiasm. She is a huge asset to our team because of her strong arm and her ability to find open spots on the court when she's hitting. Her court presence is strong, and she is always pushing our team to be better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":526639,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Holly Tinker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Jesuit","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac97014"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Holly joined our team late, and I couldn't be more grateful!! She has become an extremely important player with her steady serve recieve and her ability to read the court. She brings a calm and collected presence to the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161849"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac97068"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Kaarina is an incredibly talented and hard-working player. She has amazing energy and has a calm and steady presence on the court. Playing with her has been super fun because of her dedication to the sport.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":526637,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kali Buchanan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Washougal ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac970f0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Kali has amazing energy and goes all out for every single play. We can count on her the make amazing digs and saves when we need them most! She has a strong serve and is always willing to give it her all.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249619"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac9713c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Sienna is a super important member of our team because of how fast and steady she is. She is quick on defense and is not afraid to take up court space during serve recieve. I feel extremely comfortable playing next to her because I know that she works hard for every play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["257582"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac97183"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Steel plays a huge role on our team this year. She is a hard worker and she can put the ball down when we need it most. Steel is so fun to play with because she is a competitive and supportive teammate. I love being on the court with her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268713"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac971cb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Soë: </strong>Zola has stepped up to play a big role on our team this year. She is extremely athletic, making her one of our most versatile players. Zola also brings intensity to all of our games, and she is one of my favorite people to play with.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161824"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66072bac97212"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And finally, we are proud to spotlight [player_tooltip player_id='161824' first='Soë' last='Jung'], a 5'7” junior from Beaverton, Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jung is a talented defensive specialist/libero, currently ranked the #2 DS/L in the 2025 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jung leads the backcourt with a quiet and humble confidence. She is an unwavering source of positive energy for her teammates. On serve receive and defense her ability to command the court is noted. She takes a lot of space on serve receive, staying light on her feet to move into any seam with ease to consistently pass to target. She creates solid and athletic angles, especially when passing outside of her body, staying controlled and disciplined. Defensively, she reads opposing attackers well to put herself in a good position to dig the ball. Jung also displays a quick reaction time to keep the ball alive. She employs a multitude of diving techniques to get her platform under the ball. Also, her location consistency on out-of-system sets, using both her platform or her hands, depending on the ball, is top-notch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, Jung's prep career came to a halt last March when she sustained back-to-back concussions during club season. Through lots of rest and rehabilitation, Jung came back to compete with the OJVA 16-1 team at Nationals. Sadly, Jung sustained another crushing blow at the beginning of her junior high school season with Sunset, sustaining another concussion, and had to miss a majority of the season because of this. However, her love of the game never faltered. Her strong desire to be back on the court competiing with her teammates remained steadfast in her want to play again. And play she did. She was able to suit up as a defensive specialist for the remaining few weeks of high school play, helping the Apollos advance to the quarterfinals of the 6A State tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are past the midway point for the 2023-2024 club season, and Jung is back like she never left. She has anchored the backcourt for OJVA 17-1, suiting up as their libero yet again. She has been a critical piece to the team's lineup and success. Currently seeded #19 in CEVA's Open division out of 32 teams, Jung's backrow play has been key in their ability to compete against top teams in the region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of volleyball, Jung is an active member of Sunset High School's community. She founded and is the current president of the Menstrual Equity Club, which advocates for women who are not able to access feminine products and hosts product drives for women in need. Jung was excited to share that their recent drive raised over 2,000 products that she was able to donate to the local women's shelters. She is also the vice president of the school's first-ever flag football team. In the classroom, it is clear school is a priority, maintaining a weighted 4.2 GPA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point, Jung has not yet committed to a collegiate program. But with her talents, I have no doubt that she will. And the program that does sign her will be an incredibly lucky one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With these aforementioned skillsets and qualities, [player_tooltip player_id='161824' first='Soë' last='Jung'] proudly earns her spot as one of PrepDig's esteemed Golden Athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->