Tour of Oregon: Top Setters from Portland Metro (2022/2021)
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…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
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 setters from the class of 2022 and 2021:
2022
Lauren Stemple Lauren Stemple 5'7" | S Central Catholic | 2022 OR , 5’7″, S/DS, Central Catholic High School, Excel NW Volleyball Club
Stemple had a steady second season for the Central Catholic High School Rams. Though trained as a setter, as a Freshman, she fulfilled a defensive specialist role with Grace McElligott and Kealani Rosa Kealani Rosa 5'6" | S Central Catholic | 2021 State OR running a 6-2. However, with McElligott graduated, this past season she stepped back into a setter role running a 6-2 alongside Rosa. She helped the Rams secure a second-place finish at the 6A State tournament. For her play, she was awarded Mt. Hood Second Team All-League. She is such an analytical player, a true student of the game, She is a strategic thinker, a good decision-maker, problem solver and critical thinker. All of these skills are valuable in volleyball but definitely come in handy as a setter. A leftie, she often swings on the second ball, surprising the defenders on the other team. Last club season she played for Excel NW 18-1 Rox as the only sophomore on the roster.
Shaelyn Cecil, 5’5″, S, West Linn High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
Cecil had an outstanding first year on the Varsity squad for the West Linn High School Lions, who finished first in the Three Rivers League and fifth in the 6A State tournament. For the Lions, she ran a 6-2 alongside Kate Griffin Kate Griffin 5'7" | S West Linn | 2021 State OR , class of 2021. She has exceptional decision-making skills, a great attribute for a setter. She knows exactly which hitter to set at the right time, leading to a highly efficient offense. She consistently puts her teammates in successful situations. Last club season she set for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1 National.
2021
Alison Buchholz Alison Buchholz 5'7" | S Jesuit | 2021 State OR , 5’7″, S, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy, Washington & Lee University
Buchholz, a three-year starting setter for the Jesuit High School Crusaders, has helped them win two 6A State titles. For the Crusaders, Buchholz has accumulated 1,523 assists running both a 5-1 and 6-2. As a sophomore, she was awarded Metro Second Team All-League and this past season she was awarded Metro First Team All-League as well as Second Team All-State for the 6A tournament. She has a competitor mentality. When she steps onto the court, she is ready to give it her all for her team. She is mentally tough and does not let the little things rattle her game. Her teammates look to her as a leader which she has displayed through the years. She is an incredibly smart setter and knows when to distribute the ball to the right hitter at the right moment. Last club season she ran a 5-1 as the only setter for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 18-1 National team, one of three juniors on the team. She recently committed to play for Washington & Lee University.
Adia Messenger Adia Messenger 5'10" | S Reynolds | 2021 State OR , 5’10”, S, Reynolds High School, Portland Volleyball Club, Eastern Washington University
Messenger, a three-year Varsity starter, is an impact player for the Reynolds High School Raiders. She was awarded Mt. Hood Second Team All-League as a sophomore and Mt. Hood First Team All-League this past season. This past season she was averaging 23.2 assists, 12.2 digs, 2.3 aces, and 5.5 kills per match. This season, under new head coach Nerisa Laban, she helped the Raiders take a set off of powerhouse team Central Catholic High School. Even though she is trained as a setter, she shines in any position on the court. With a hammer of an arm swing, she is often seen playing along the front row when not setting. During the high school season, she even got a chance to play middle blocker. When setting, she uses her good decision making to create one on one opportunities for her attackers. Last club season she set for Portland Volleyball Club’s 18-1 National team. She is committed to play for Eastern Washington University.
Melia Patrick Melia Patrick 5'10" | S Wilson | 2021 State OR , 5’10”, S, Wilson High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
Patrick, a three-year Varsity starter for the Wilson Trojans, helped them go undefeated in league as their starting setter. She was awarded Portland Interscholastic Second Team All-League as a junior and Portland Interscholastic First Team All-League as a sophomore. She brings a great sense of calm to the court. She is an incredibly steady force running a consistent and fast offense for her team. Given her tall stature, she is often seen running a 5-1 for her teams as she can put up a strong block. During club season she was the only returner to Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 and the only setter on the roster, so she used her athleticism and leadership to make herself indispensable to the team. Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 National.
Kealani Rosa Kealani Rosa 5'6" | S Central Catholic | 2021 State OR , 5’6″, S, Central Catholic High School, Live Aloha Volleyball Academy
Rosa, a three-year Varsity starter, has led the Central Catholic High School Rams to two second-place finishes and one fourth-place finish in the 6A State tournament. Setting for the Rams since her freshman year she has received Mt. Hood First Team All-League three years in a row. Her energy is unmatched, and she consistently brings up the intensity for her team, both on and off the court. Incredibly competitive and driven she pushes her teammates to reach their full potential. She is constantly talking to her teammates, essential for a good setter. Given both her communication and court sense, she has stepped into the Libero role from time to time for her club team. Last club season she played for Live Aloha Volleyball Academy’s 18-1 team.