Tour of Oregon: Top Passers from Portland Metro (2021)
As we tour the state of Oregon, we will be making many stops throughout this great State. We will be stopping by cities big and small, highlighting the best athletes in those places. First stop: Portland Metro! Here are the…
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Continue ReadingAs we tour the state of Oregon, we will be making many stops throughout this great State. We will be stopping by cities big and small, highlighting the best athletes in those places. First stop: Portland Metro! Here are the top defensive specialists from the class of 2021:
Caitlin Gay Caitlin Gay 5'7" | DS/L Canby | 2021 State OR , 5’7″, DS, Canby High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, University of Idaho
Gay had an interesting junior season, playing outside hitter for the Canby High School Cougars, even though she has played libero her entire career. Even though she played outside of normal position, she was awarded Three Rivers League Honorable Mention. In the previous season, she was awarded Three Rivers Second Team All-League as the Cougars libero. As a freshman, she made Three Rivers First Team All-League playing libero for Lakeridge High School, before transferring to her neighborhood public school, Canby. She helped the Cougars finish 3rd in the 6A State tournament this past season. Across all aspects of her game, she plays with a level head, not letting a shanked pass phase her. She has impeccable court awareness which helps her react quickly on defense. Her steady serve recieve passes keep her teammates as in system as possible. Last club season she was the libero for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 National. She recently committed to play at the University of Idaho.
Zoe Nguyen Zoe Nguyen 5'8" | DS/L St. Mary's Academy | 2021 State OR , 5’8″, DS/S, St. Mary’s Academy, Athena Volleyball Academy
Nguyen had another stellar season for the St. Mary’s Academy Blues, stepping back into her role as their primary setter. During the club season, she trains as a defensive specialist, but the Blues needed a setter, and Nguyen rose to the challenge. She was awarded Three Rivers First Team All-League this past season for her exceptional play, as well as Three Rivers League Honorable Mention as a sophomore. She plays with an all-out mentality and brings intensity to the court. This, coupled with her athleticism and versatility, make her an incredibly valuable asset to any team. With her experience as a setter on her high school team, it is not uncommon to see her take any ball she can with her hands in the defensive specialist role. Last club season she was one of the libero’s for Athena Volleyball Academy’s 18-1 Gold team and was the lone junior on the roster.
Grace Clark, 5’5″, DS, Mountainside High School, Athena Volleyball Academy
Clark had another great season with the Mountainside High School Mavericks, helping them secure a fourth-place finish in the 6A State tournament. As the team captain and starting libero her sophomore and junior season, she was awarded Metro First Team All-League. As a freshman, she was the libero for their junior varsity team as Mountainside was a brand new school so they did not participate in any varsity sports. She is incredibly quick,which combined with her athleticism helps her greatly in the back row. Her reaction on defense helps her to pick up the seemingly ungettable balls. All of this, combined with great court awareness and stellar communication make her an outstanding defensive specialist. Last club season she was the libero for Athena 17-1 Gold.
Lily Snook Lily Snook 5'7" | DS/L West Linn | 2021 State OR , 5’7″, DS, West Linn High School, North Pacific Juniors, Portland State University
Snook had a breakout junior season, suiting up as the libero for the West Linn High School Lions. Snook took over the reins from the previous Lion’s libero, Snook’s older sister Ellie, who is the current libero for Portland State University. Snook was awarded Three Rivers Second Team All-League for her play this past season. With her amazing backcourt play, she helped the Lions secure a fifth-place finish in the 6A State tournament. She is a quick defender with a great ability to cover her hitters, easily picking up the seemingly impossible balls. On serve receive she is confident in her ability to pass the ball and place it where it is needed. Last club season she played for the North Pacific Juniors 17-1 National team. She recently committed to play at Portland State University, where she will join her sister Ellie Snook.