2023 Defensive Specialists at CEVA Regionals

Over the weekend of June 13th, CEVA held its Regionals tournament where the top 18U, 16U, 14U, and 12U teams from the region competed. For the 16U age bracket, the top five finishers were… #1 OJVA 16-1 National #2 NPJ 16 Forefront #3 OJVA 16-2 National #4 G3 16-1 National #5 Athena 16-1 Gold For the first time this season, I had the opportunity to go watch these teams compete in person. I will be spotlighting the athletes from 2022, 2023, and 2024, who were an impact in their position and made an impression when watching. DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS [caption id="attachment_149266" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15655445/Alize-Bakker"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149266" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/alize-bakker-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91336" first="Alize" last="Bakker"], 5'7", DS, Westview High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Bakker was a consistent presence in the back row for the OJVA 16-2 team. Wearing the libero jersey, she was a big part in their #3 finish at CEVA Regionals. Bakker brings athleticism and control to the court. She reads the ball well on defense and has great reaction time. While Bakker was sporting the libero jersey, [player_tooltip player_id="91349" first="Sidney" last="Knowles"] (2023) and Elise Coffey (2023), also stepped up big time as defensive specialists and attributed to the teams successful run as well. Bakker has been a part of the varsity program at Westview High School since her freshman year. However, she plays as an all-around outside attacker for the Wildcats. Bakker is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_149270" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14137026/Daphne-Bakker"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/daphne-bakker-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Athena VB[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91398" first="Daphne" last="Bakker"], 5'7", DS, Westview High School, Athena Volleyball Academy Twin power!!! Aliza Bakker's twin sister [player_tooltip player_id="91398" first="Daphne" last="Bakker"] was also a consistent presence in the back row but for the Athena 16-2 team. She also sported the libero jersey. She is a disciplined defender and a steady serve receive passer. Bakker made the varsity team at Westview High School as a sophomore, after spending her freshman season on junior varsity. Bakker is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_149216" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14064998/Kennedy-Cheung"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149216" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2774-e1626741561123-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91311" first="Kennedy" last="Cheung"], 5'2", DS, Westview High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy Cheung, one of two liberos on the OJVA 16-1, helped her team garner the #1 spot in the 16s division at CEVA Regionals. While she is an all-around solid player, defense is where she really shines. She is quick, athletic, and fearless. Cheung has been the starting libero for Westview High School since her freshman year. She was awarded 6A Second Team All-State by PrepDig this past season. Cheung is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_125272" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/SarahJ17"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-125272" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/sarah-jones-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91321" first="Sarah" last="Jones"], 5'2" DS Sprague High School, North Pacific Juniors Jones was one of three rostered liberos for the NPJ 16-1 National team. She brought consistency to the back row for her teammates. She is a solid serve receive passer and a quick defender with great energy. Jones has been the starting libero for Sprague High School since her freshman year. As a freshman, she was named to the Mountain Valley Second Team All-League. She was awarded Mountain Valley First Team All-League and 6A Second Team All-State by PrepDig this past season. Jones is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_149271" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149271" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/sam-k-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91312" first="Sam" last="Keightley"], DS, Oregon City High School, Portland Volleyball Club Keightley has been the fearless leader of this Portland Volleyball Club unit since 12U. For the PVC 16-1 team, she is the starting libero, and for good reason. She is a well-rounded defender and serve recieve passer. She also has a very tough serve. Keightley has been on the varsity team at Oregon City High School since her freshman year. As a sophomore, she was awarded Three Rivers League Second Team All-League. Keightley is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_149217" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/oregon/portland/catlin-gabel-school/elsa-mcdermott"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149217" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2770-e1626741652568-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91335" first="Elsa" last="Mcdermott"], 5'7", DS, Catlin Gabel High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy McDermott, one of two liberos on the OJVA 16-1, helped her team garner the #1 spot in the 16s division at CEVA Regionals. She is a disciplined and controlled passer with great court awareness. She does an exceptional job leading the back row. McDermott has been on the varsity team at Catlin Gabel School since her freshman year. The libero turned all-around outside hitter was awarded Lewis and Clark First Team All-League this past season as well as the 3A All-Star Team by PrepDig. McDermott is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [player_tooltip player_id="91343" first="Lauren" last="Patterson"], 5'5", DS, Sunset High School, Athena Volleyball Academy Patterson is a dynamic athlete for the Athena 16-1 Gold team, sporting the libero jersey. She is very quick and reads the ball well on defense. She brings great enthusiasm and intensity to the court. Also, she is not afraid to rip at the ball on a backrow attack. Patterson made the varsity team at Sunset High School this past season after playing on the junior varsity team as a freshman. Patterson is currently not commited to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_149272" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/IsabellaR13"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149272" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/isabella-rodriguez-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Photo: NPJ[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91355" first="Isabella" last="Rodriguez"], 5'5”, DS, McNary High School, North Pacific Juniors Rodriguez, another rostered libero for NPJ 16-1 National, is an incredibly athletic player. She brings control and quickness on the defensive side. She does a good job getting behind the ball on serve receive. Rodriguez has been on varsity at McNary High School since her freshman year. Rodriguez is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.