Oregon Bid Tracker: Athena 15 Gold Secures the American Bid

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ticket to USAV Nationals in June has been punched! Athena 15 Gold falls to NPJ Salem 15-1 National after playing in six matches on the day to walk away with the second-highest bid awarded in the region: the American bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd5Xm3Ro3LiKG33sFeAoxLh8dP2HEaw0miZmipW6qyJOC6TQ9DMByAfVibcIZZ6jy-Q-q5K3tGk53YEJMRq8gwXV_OAV36kowoiTgFc77rtehyMMp68mxC327ZmOpF7EWYpF-rg4w?key=lRhpwLqRNsDY1Viq75htwfpu" alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athena 15 Gold fell to NPJ Salem 15 National in the finals of the CEVA Bid tournament, after competing in five intense matches — including a hard-fought three-set battle against NPJ Salem 15 National in the second round. Despite the finals loss, the team secured the American bid!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-rotation outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='572625' first='Chase' last='Zanon'], [player_tooltip player_id='777888' first='Megan' last='Cheldelin'], and Ainsley Prynne delivered standout performances on the pins. Zanon never left the court, playing all six rotations throughout the day, displaying her powerful arm and expanding attack range to exploit gaps in opponents' defenses. Prynne demonstrated her versatility, attacking effectively from both the right and outside while putting up a formidable block. Cheldelin brought an explosive approach and a quick arm to the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, the dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='777898' first='Ellie' last='Holverson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='777881' first='Lilli' last='Johnson'] proved nearly unstoppable. Holverson's aggressive transition play and ability to spread the ball around the court led to numerous kills. Johnson's explosive vertical and powerful attacks consistently exploited open spots on the court, making her a relentless offensive threat. Both middles made their presence known on both offense and defense, showcasing athleticism and high recruiting potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Executing the offense on the day primarily came at the hands of [player_tooltip player_id='560339' first='Skylar' last='Thompson'], a rising talent in the class of 2028. She has a developing jump set that she is starting to employ consistently. Her ability to feed the middles in transition and to set against the flow added complexity to the team's offense, keeping opponents on their toes. Dani Thompson also contributed as a setter when the team shifted to a 6-2. New to the setting position, she is developing quickly and shows promising potential with her newfound skillset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the right side, left-handed attacker [player_tooltip player_id='555690' first='Emerson' last='Lewis'] stepped up in crucial moments, swinging fearlessly with a cannon of an arm. She also used her six-foot frame to put up a commanding block that stifled opponents' outside hitters.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The backcourt was anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='575184' first='Cecily' last='O'Sullivan'], one of the top defenders in the 2028 class. Her athleticism, sharp instincts, and quick reactions ensured that few balls hit the floor. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='777895' first='Natalie' last='Bell'] also played a key role in the backcourt, providing steady and reliable first contacts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite falling short in the finals, Athena 15 Gold's performance at the CEVA Bid tournament highlighted their depth and determination. Every player contributed to the team's success, and their growth throughout the tournament sets a strong foundation for the opportunities ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->