CEVA Regionals Recap: Standout 2026 Passers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend was the culminating tournament for the CEVA season and PrepDig was lucky enough to be in attendance! We had a chance to catch some stellar volleyball and took note of players that impressed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it was not possible to watch every team and athlete, we were able to see a ton of athletes in action, placing priority on teams playing in Open and in the top 10 of the 16U division.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the standout defensive specialists and liberos from the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268726"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWe watched Trees command her team's back row as the Aspire NW 16-1 libero. Trees brought a tough jump float serve from the baseline, notching multiple aces in a row throughout the tournament. Trees also made many good defensive touches and played steady serve receive. She also put up some great out-of-system sets when needed. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["395795"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGrace, playing as libero for G3 16-1, was impressive on defense, making quick reactions to keep the ball in play. Grace brought a great jump float serve, moving the ball around well. And, Grace has nice hands, which allows her to make good plays on the second ball when her team's setter takes the first. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["449941"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWe were able to see Sanchez play as the libero for Athena 16-1 Gold. Sanchez played great defense off some really tough attacks, putting up playable balls well and keeping the ball alive. Sanchez remained consistent on serve receive throughout the weekend, too. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["268725"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJespersen, wearing the libero jersey for NPJ Salem 16-2 Elite, helped lead her team from the back row to the title of 2024 Regional Champions in the 16s Division. Jespersen is super quick on defense, disciplined and steady on serve receive, and effective from the baseline with a well-placed jump float serve. Jespersen is also a passionate, natural leader on the court.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Kaydee Crawford","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='483806' first='Central' last='Oregon Volleyball Club']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCrawford is one of the liberos for COVC 16-1. At Regionals, Crawford showcased her great communication in the back row, helping lead her team's defense. She also has nice hands and did a good job of taking the second ball when needed. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["268765"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePlaying as libero for OJVA 16-1, Bhaskar was a solid force from the back row at Regionals. Bhaskar was very steady on serve receive, moving well to get her platform under each ball and making passes off tough serves. Bhaskar is a great communicator, and she moves around the court well to cover attackers.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["480766"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMattson played as a defensive specialist/libero for NPJ Salem 16-2 Elite, the 2024 Regional Champions in the 16s Division. Mattson brought a super aggressive jump float serve. On defense, Mattson employs the proper diving technique to pick the ball up, and she played all out at Regionals.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["268716"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWe watched Ginter in action as one of the liberos for NPJ Salem 16-1 National. Ginter played a lot in serve receive, and it makes sense why: Ginter is an incredibly skilled and consistent serve receive passer, putting up nearly perfect passes off most serves that come her way. On defense, Ginter uses quick reactions to make impressive plays. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["267162"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTuioti, the other libero for NPJ Salem 16-1 National, was a defensive force at Regionals. Tuioti has great hands and makes strong out-of-system sets when taking the second ball. She is an incredibly athletic and quick player, making plays that seem nearly impossible. And from the baseline, Tuioti brings a tough serve.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6641b16fa33a8"} /-->