Sophomore Setters Thrive at PrepDig/Baden PNW Invitational

<p>Over the weekend of August 1st, I had the privilege of covering the PrepDig/Baden Pacific Northwest Invitational Training Camp. The camp was structured to bring the best athletes in Oregon and Southwest Washington into one facility and let them compete. With COVID-19 the opportunities for athletes to compete have been severely limited, so this was a great chance to get the best of the best in one place. While some players were not able to attend, the Courts were filled with forty-seven incredible volleyball players. Be on the lookout for content coming highlighting players in attendance.</p> <p>Below are the sophomore setters who represented their class and position well at the camp.</p> [caption id="attachment_110180" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14198391/Mia-Starr"><img class="wp-image-110180 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/Mia-Starr-headshot-e1601143397893-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: Cole Petters</em>[/caption] <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="91309" first="Mia" last="Starr"], </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5’8", S/RS, Central Catholic High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes Starr such a special player is her good decision making skills when running the offense. She consistently puts up hittable balls for her attackers, leading to a high efficiency. She does an exceptional job of not just setting to set, but being intentional about who she sets, to keep her opponents off balance.</span></p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/z3ynTOkJGio">Check out Starr’s up-close quick set to the middle! </a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Starr had a stellar freshman season, competing with the Central Catholic Rams, who finished second at the State tournament. Being one of two freshmen on the Varsity team, she stepped into a different role this season. Behind two seasoned setters, [player_tooltip player_id="91212" first="Lauren" last="Stemple"] (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="91131" first="Kealani" last="Rosa"] (2021), she saw court time as a serving and defensive specialist.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 15-1 National team.  </span></p> [caption id="attachment_110181" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14136987/Sophie-Fast"><img class="wp-image-110181 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/sophie-fast-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: Athena</em>[/caption] <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="91340" first="Sophie" last="Fast"], </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5’9", S, Tualatin High School, </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Athena Volleyball Academy</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes Fast such a special player is the strength in her hands. A harder skill to learn, she has it naturally, so pushing the ball comes easier to her. A young setter, she is raw and has lots of potential. This past season she was getting into the rhythm of a much faster pace of game and learning to become more vocal as a leader of the court. </span></p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/_kJDfeQc90A">Check out Fast’s clean right side set! </a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fast had a breakout season for the Tualatin High School Timberwolves, helping them advance to the first round of the 6A State playoffs. As the lone freshman to make the Varsity squad, that did not stop her from seeing court time. With sisters Jackie Phillips, a Cal State San Marcos freshman, and [player_tooltip player_id="91244" first="Josie" last="Phillips"] (2022) setting, she saw some time setting and hitting on the right side given her height. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last club season she played for Athena Volleyball Academy 16-1 National team. </span></p>