Six Stars from PSR 15 Regionals
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Bids and bragging rights were on the line at the NW Hub in Centralia over the weekend. The 14s, 15s, and 17s were hard at work; our focus here is on the teams in the 15’s Emerald bracket, competing for…
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Continue ReadingBids and bragging rights were on the line at the NW Hub in Centralia over the weekend. The 14s, 15s, and 17s were hard at work; our focus here is on the teams in the 15’s Emerald bracket, competing for the Region’s bids to Nationals later this year.
Puyallup Juniors 15 National secured the first-place win, becoming the Puget Sound Regional Champions and taking home a National Division bid. Each USAV region across the country awards bids to those teams that participate in the Region and play in the Regional and/or Bid tournament. On the state’s east side, the Evergreen Region splits up the two tournaments, and some teams across the state participate in tournaments separate from USA Volleyball.
PJVBC 15 earned a hard-fought finals win over Dakine 15 Surf, 19-25, 25-23, 17-15. Dakine was tough; they worked their way into the final with a three-set win over PSVBA 15 Legacy and gave Puyallup Juniors all they could handle. The Blue Royals 15 National squad was the other semi-final participant, and they took eventual champions PJVBC to three sets before bowing out.
Puttler kept the Puyallup Junior attack running smoothly, operating out of the 5-1 and scoring when she was given the opportunity. The 2027 from Emerald Ridge found solid matchups for her attackers and played gritty defense from the setter position. Puttler did an excellent job leading her squad to the victory, she plays with a steady, confident demeanor that gives her team a boost.
Highlights
Bernard was a dominant force in the middle for Dakine. She was too long, too quick off the floor and too explosive for most teams to defend. Bernard was serving tough, and did a tremendous job of disrupting the middle attack as a blocker. She caused attackers to roll and tip, and Dakine turned those easy opportunities into points in transition.
The 2027 from Everett showed off a rocket arm out of the middle, playing a terminal brand of hard swinging ball. Gonzalez was the ultimate run stopper for the Blue Royals 15, the pace of her swings were extremely difficult for defenders to handle.
Frederick took swings from both pins, and her length proved difficult to stop. Versus Dakine she was working off the right side and found the gap in the block to terminate, displaying solid vision and feel as an attacker. Her length bothered hitters all tournament, and Frederick racked up her share of stuff blocks.
Highlights
Smith quarterbacked Dakine all the way through the tournament, showing off good location and hands out of the setter spot. Smith is terrific at getting to the second the ball, gathering herself and delivering a hittable ball to her attackers. It was a great matchup in the finals between Dakine and PJVBC, and not surprisingly, Smith and opposing setter Olivia Puttler Olivia Puttler 5’7″ | S Emerald Ridge | 2027 WA set the tone for both squads. Smith has advanced feel for reading attackers as a defender, she is difficult to score on in her left back position.
Highlights
Pirillis was rock solid in serve receive, showing good feet, strength and a solid grasp angling the ball to her setter. The 5’7 libero from Puyallup High School was nails passing free balls and swings, she kept PJVBC in rallies with dynamic plays in the back row. Pirillis gave everyone a glimpse of her skills in the fall, we expect her to continue to ascend as a defender.