2024 Outside Hitters at CEVA Regionals

<p>Over the weekend of June 13th, CEVA held its Regionals tournament where the top 18U, 16U, 14U, and 12U teams from the region competed.</p> <p>For the 16U age bracket, the top five finishers were…</p> <p>#1 OJVA 16-1 National</p> <p>#2 NPJ 16 Forefront</p> <p>#3 OJVA 16-2 National</p> <p>#4 G3 16-1 National</p> <p>#5 Athena 16-1 Gold</p> <p>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.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">OUTSIDE HITTERS</span></p> [caption id="attachment_130140" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kendylarnettvolleyball2024/"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-130140" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/kendyl-arnet-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: NPJ</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126029" first="Kendyl" last="Arnett"],</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 5'10", OH, West Albany High School, North Pacific Juniors </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Arnett is an explosive six rotation outside hitter who was a key player in bringing a second-place finish at Regionals to the NPJ 16-1 Forefront team. She is not afraid to take the big swings in crucial points in the match, in both the front and back row. She has a hammer of an arm and elevates when attacking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a freshman, she made varsity at West Albany High School. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Arnett is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_150094" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15940285/Madelyn-Crace"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2930-e1627177332547-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: Jennifer Barnes</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126051" first="Madelyn" last="Crace"], </i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5'10”, OH/DS, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Crace is a high-flying six rotation outside hitter for the OJVA 15-1 team. She stepped up big time when one of the team's big hitters [player_tooltip player_id="91345" first="Hannah" last="Carlson"] (2023) went down with a knee injury mid-season. She has a high volleyball IQ and good court sense. She is very quick both offensively and defensively. When passing, she is calm and controlled. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a freshman, she made the junior varsity team at Jesuit High School, a volleyball powerhouse program. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Crace is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_150095" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/sidney-f-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <em>Photo: Player</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126188" first="Sidney" last="Friesen"],</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 5'8", OH, Sprague High School, Portland Volleyball Club </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friesen is a bouncy six rotation outside hitter that was a key performer to the success of the PVC 16-1 team. Attacking, she does a good job getting on top of the ball, using her high vertical to her advantage. Playing across the back row she brings solid defense and consistent serve receive passing. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friesen was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Sprague High School this past season. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friesen is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_150096" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4538004/Sydney-Hamlin"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150096" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/sydney-hamlin-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: Athena VB</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126065" first="Sydney" last="Hamlin"], </i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5'7", OH/DS, Lakeridge High School, Athena Volleyball Academy</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hamlin shines both on offense and defense with her quickness, strength, versatility, and power and brought this to the Athena 15-1 team. Typically playing all six rotations, she is high flying and smart with her attacking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hamlin made the varsity team at Lakeridge High School this past season. She was awarded Three Rivers Honorable Mention All-League. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hamlin is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126025" first="Alondra" last="Paz"], </i></b>5'9", OH, Woodburn High School, Athena Volleyball Academy</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ranked #2 in the 2024 rankings for PrepDig it is no surprise that she was a huge impact for the Athena 15-1 team over Regionals weekend. Paz brings tons of athleticism to the court as an explosive six rotation outside hitter. She is an offensive weapon with a deadly swing. Defensively, she is quick and consistent, putting up a solid ball for her setters.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paz was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Woodburn High School this past season. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paz is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_150097" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15940290/jaydn-puncochar"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150097" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/AQ7A2937-e1627177887122-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: Jennifer Barnes</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126027" first="Jaydn" last="Puncochar"], </i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5'10", OH, Hillsboro High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puncochar is a dynamic athlete and brings this to the OJVA 15-1 team. She has a powerful arm swing and a high volleyball IQ, making her an unstoppable outside attacker. She is a force on the outside, but can also bring those big swings in the middle and right side. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puncochar was the only freshman to make the varsity team at Woodburn High School this past season. She made the 5A All-Star team by PrepDig.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puncochar is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_150098" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/TeaganW10"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-150098" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/teagan-wilson-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> <em>Photo: NPJ</em>[/caption] <p><b><i>[player_tooltip player_id="126172" first="Teagan" last="Wilson"], </i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">5'11", OH, West Salem High School, North Pacific Juniors </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson brought the heat to the NPJ 15-1 team as one of their outside attackers. She may only be on the court for the three front-row rotations, but she makes a huge impact for the team. She is a smart and powerful attacker. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a freshman, she made the junior varsity team at West Salem High School, a volleyball powerhouse program. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. </span></p>