CPA 17 Drew- Nationals Preview: Player Takeover!

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Setter [player_tooltip player_id='250536' first='Kendall' last='Focht'] delivers in this Nationals Preview!</h2>   <p><em>Thank you to Michelle Bamford from PrepDig California and Emma Adams from PrepDig Oregon for inspiring this player takeover!</em></p>   <p>We kick off a two-week run of Nationals team previews with a new format- a player from each squad has taken the reigns and provides insight into their teammates and the season. Our fourth team is CPA 17, Drew, out of the Evergreen Region. The team will compete in the National Division at USAV Nationals in Las Vegas. Like many Pacific Northwest teams, CPA 17 Drew started with three quick matches at the Matt Hartner Memorial before Eugene shut down due to the weather and ice that made nearly everything in town come to a complete standstill. A U17 team has an uphill battle facing off against 18's at many points in the season, and this team battled with two outsides in and out of the lineup due to injury. Scrappy defense from the back row, a big block out of the middle, and crafty play from pins and setters always give them a chance to compete. They took a match against a much bigger Sudden Impact 17 squad at Emerald City, using a strong serve and pass game to get it done. Coach Drew Pascua leads the charge along with assistant Marta Jantzi. Drew has accepted the head coaching job at North Idaho College next season as the volleyball program returns to the Scenic West Conference.</p>   <p>2025 setter [player_tooltip player_id='250536' first='Kendall' last='Focht'] will introduce the team, and we asked Kendall to answer our questions for an in-depth look at the rising senior from Kentwood High School.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/IMG_6266.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-555141" style="width:679px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">CPA 17 Drew</figcaption></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall- </strong>"Not only does Audriana excel in the sand, but she also is a key part of our offense on the court. Her versatility allows the team to rely on her in the front row, defensively, and through her back-row attacks."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/Spielman-CPA-17.jpg?w=904" alt="" class="wp-image-555132" style="width:313px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='268059' first='Audriana' last='Spielman']- UTEP Beach</figcaption></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall-</strong> "Lizzy does a great job of controlling the game's flow and creating opportunities for our hitters to score. She can locate our middles from off the net and covers the court well in defense."</p>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall- </strong>"Emma is the core of our team; not only is she a great ball player, but she is also a great leader. Her consistency translates to every position she plays, and her competitive mindset is infectious."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/1q8SJqbKa28?si=FRBw8rYJ8jJ1FNZd </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall-</strong> "Brooke plays a key role on our team. She has a great attitude, and her positivity is infectious. In addition to being an attacking and blocking powerhouse, she has the court awareness and ability to defend off her serve in the back row."  </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/5fyNFM8Zazw?si=BSW0bXXwt7ckS2Fc </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall-</strong> "Hannah does a great job defensively and in serve receive. We count on her to put the ball where we can run our offense. Her beach skills translate to the court well, and she is always seen making great plays."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/0t2WFA4WWSI?si=JsiaiFbA9YVsQoWI </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall- </strong>"Keilee is a dynamic player with a powerful arm swing and a strong, penetrating block. Her athleticism allows her to play well above the net, and she is always willing to put in the extra reps."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/lgtCNK2AC8U?si=VyJPf4vl5mh2crhR </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall- </strong>"Lexi is a top performer across our back row; she understands the patterns and tendencies of our opponents and is ahead of each play. Her constant communication organizes our defense, and she's always there to cover the block."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/Or2-hJTfOco?si=LvjXGg5qnOdZodsV </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall-</strong> "Mackenzie is everywhere across the front row; her powerful blocks help our defense trust her ability to slow the opponent's offense and create opportunities for our team to score. She stays positive under pressure, influencing the team and keeping everyone focused.."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/_7fH8XhNsJE?si=qQkQHhkO8c63n7XN </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>From Kendall- "</strong>Kensey is a great addition to our post-season crew; she has a strong work ethic and always shows up ready to go. Having a lefty on the right side gives our team an advantage in offensive strategy."</p>     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/CPA-17-1-crop-3024x1986-1719107804.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-555125" style="width:690px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">CPA 17 Drew dressed as ... Coach Drew Pascua!</figcaption></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/xJ_vRTq33BQ?si=wBxnQsBlw4aVd9K8 </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/Focht-CPA-17.jpg?w=735" alt="" class="wp-image-555131" style="width:259px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='250536' first='Kendall' last='Focht']</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Volleyball Honors and Accomplishments</strong><br>As a junior, Focht tallied over 500 assists and led her West Valley (Spokane) team in blocks. She has been named to the All-Conference 1st team twice and has served as the Eagles team captain the past two seasons.</p>   <p><strong>College Prep Academy 17 Drew 2024 Season at a Glance:</strong></p>   <p>5-4 Overall at Salt Lake City Showdown<br>5th Place Evergreen Regionals 17/18<br>4-3 Overall at PNQ, USA Division 4-3 Overall at Emerald City, 18 Open</p>   <p></p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/cpa-17-7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-555153" style="width:912px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">CPA 17 Drew</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Please tell us your GPA and any college majors you are considering. You are a verbal commit to LC State, what helped you make that decision?</strong></p>   <ul> <li>4.0 GPA</li>   <li>Biology/Pre-med</li> </ul>   <p>"I chose LC State because, from my first phone call with Coach Palmer, I knew it was a special place I wanted to learn more about. The passion that Coach Palmer and Coach Mack feel for this program is inspiring and creates the true family culture I was looking for. Their vision for the program's future growth is exciting, and I can't wait to be a part of it."</p>   <p><strong>What do you like to do outside of volleyball?</strong> "Outside of volleyball, I am heavily involved with my school. I'll serve as our 2024-25 ASB Class President, Varsity Volleyball Captain, and one of our Varsity Cheer Captains. I'm also on our superintendent advisory board. It's a busy schedule, but I wouldn't have it any other way!"</p>   <p><strong>What has been the best moment with the team this season(s)?</strong> "The best moment from this season was Day 2 of the 2024 Pacific Northwest Qualifier. We were playing so well as a team and firing on all cylinders; that feeling is something we will continue to chase as we head into nationals."</p>   <p><strong>How did you get started with volleyball? </strong>"I started playing volleyball when I was eight years old. At the time, I was playing multiple sports (soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and cheer), but volleyball is the one sport that truly stuck with me."</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PrepDig Washington on Focht:</strong></h2>   <p>Focht has the unique ability to compete as hard as anyone on the court and still be a positive leader and supporter of her teammates. While many players have one or the other, the West Valley standout will work like crazy to beat the team on the other side of the net while still having a smile and an energizing word when her team needs it. Her busy schedule as a true student-athlete also includes setting work outside school ball and club practice; she is dedicated to honing her craft. Focht is athletic enough to compete at the net as a right side or a 5-1 setter and has good agility running down the second ball and playing defense from the setter spot. She has shown off her versatility to swing and score in club ball and during the fall for her school team; her excellent timing as a blocker is outstanding on the right side. Focht is a willing energy giver, pumping up others when they make a big play, and is a terrific communicator on the floor. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/DSC00609-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-555165" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Good luck at Nationals CPA 17 Drew, and thank you, Kendall!</figcaption></figure>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <p></p>