Platinum #1: 2024 Magnificent Middles

The Platinum tournament is the best of the best in Oregon and Washington, competing for the #1 seed in the Pacific Northwest. The Puget Sound region and the Columbia Empire region each send their top four 16U and top four 18U teams to compete, so a total of eight teams in each age bracket. First playing in a pool and then in a small bracket, one team will come out on top. One team from each age bracket will drop down, allowing for one team to move up and compete. There will be a few more Platinum tournaments taking place later on that we will be covering as well. In the 16U age bracket the teams in attendance were: NPJ 16-1 National (CE), OJVA 16-1 Gold (CE), Athena 16-1 Gold, G3 16-1 (CE), Dakine 16-1 Surf (PS), NPJ Seattle 16-1 National (PS), Puget Sound 15-1 Navy (PS), and Dakine 15-1 Surf (PS). All teams competed and great volleyball was played. To recap the tournament, we will be highlighting some standout players in their respective position and class. OREGON —————— [caption id="attachment_151817" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-151817" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/AQ7A2913-e1628223807325-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="126031" first="Hailey" last="Heytvelt"], 6’1”, MB, LaSalle Catholic College Preparatory, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 16-1 Gold <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15940291/hailey-heytvelt">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Heytvelt is the starting middle blocker for the OJVA 16-1 Gold team, and a returner from the 15-1 team last season. She is an explosive and dynamic middle blocker. Heytvelt is deadly on the slide attack, however she is multifaceted in her attacking abilities no matter the set choice. Her improvement over the past season has been significant, and is only projected to improve more. Heytvelt is a two-year varsity starter for the LaSalle Catholic College Preparatory Falcons. As a starting middle blocker for the Falcons, her play was critical in the teams tied for first place finish in the Northwest Oregon Conference and advancing to the quarterfinals. Heytvelt was awarded Northwest Oregon First Team All-League this past season. Heytvelt is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. [caption id="attachment_187628" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-187628" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/lauryn-johnson-headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: NPJ[/caption] Lauryn Johnson, 6’1”, MB, West Salem High School, North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Forefront <a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/LaurynJ10">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Johnson is one of four middle blockers on the NPJ 18-1 Forefront team, so they tend to rotate their middles. During the platinum tournament, it was a set by set rotation of Johnson, Snyder and Boeder. What is most impressive about Johnson is her sheer athleticism and the explosiveness in which she plays. Being only a sophomore on a team of primarily 2022s, she has no problem playing up, and fits right in. Johnson was a starting middle blocker for the West Salem High School Titans, playing opposite 2022 standout [player_tooltip player_id="91228" first="Isabella" last="Snyder"]. Her play was essential in the Titans fourth-place finish in the Mountain Valley Conference as well as advancing to the second round of the 6A State tournament, where they fell to runner-ups Jesuit. Johnson is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. WASHINGTON —————— [caption id="attachment_187631" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-187631 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/elizabeth-andrew-headshot-e1648446102685-150x150.webp" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Athena VB[/caption] Elizabeth Andrew, 6’5”, MB, Ridgefield High School, Athena 16-1 Gold <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_nEsxf2sJ5m2IfadAlV3gA">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Andrew’s height alone makes her a formidable force. She may very well be the only 6’5”+ athlete in the CEVA and Puget Sound region. As the starting middle blocker for the Athena 16-1 Gold team, she is relied on heavily to put the ball away. Attacking well above the net, she consistently places the ball at the 10ft line, making her pretty unstoppable. Blocking, she creates a wall, taking up tons of space. She moves well laterally to close the block on the pins. Her combination of size and skill make her an unyielding force and a highly sought after recruit for the class of 2024. Andrew is a two-year varsity starter for the Ridgefield High School Spudders. As their starting middle blocker, her play was vital in them advancing to the State championship, finishing 2nd. She was awarded Greater St. Helens Second Team All-League and 2A Second Team All-State. Andrew is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. Téa Bosanac, 6’4”, MB, Seattle Preparatory School, North Pacific Juniors Seattle 16-1 National <a href="https://www.connectvolleyball.com/profile/TaB10">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Bosanac is the starting middle blocker for the NPJ 16-1 National team. Given her 6’4” stature, she brings size to the position. However, she has shown rapid improvement over the past couple of seasons. Her blocking is reliable, and she moves well laterally to close the block on the pins. Attacking she has a powerful swing and turns the ball well giving her a great attacking range. Bosanac is a two-year varsity starter for the Seattle Preparatory School Panthers. Her play as their starting middle blocker was crucial in their fifth place finish in the Metro League as well as their 12th place 3A State finish. She was awarded Metro First Team All-League and 3A All-State Honorable Mention this past season. Bosanac is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024. Danielle Brown, 6’2”, MB, Puyallup High School, Dakine 16 Surf <a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/washington/puyallup/puyallup-high-school/danielle-brown52">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> A fun, little, story before Brown’s analysis: A few years ago when Brown was a 6th grader playing on the Dakine 12U team, I happened to watch their team play at the PNQ while I was coaching there. I instantly noticed Brown given her distinct curly red hair, her height, and skill. Fast forward five years as I am scanning the teams at the Platinum tournament and who do I see? Curly red-haired, lanky, highly skilled middle blocker Danielle Brown. That player I saw all those years ago has become an absolute beast of a middle blocker. Brown has elevated herself to the top of the 2024 recruiting class, becoming one of the most dynamic and skilled middle blockers in the Puget Sound region. The starting middle blocker for the Dakine 16 Surf team, she is the total package. Her stature, all-sound skill and great court awareness make her indispensable. She is athletic and quick, consistently making herself available in transition on the attack. Brown is also an impressive blocker. Brown is a two-year varsity starter for the Puyallup High School Vikings. Her play was absolutely imperative in the Vikings finishing third in the South Puget Sound League. She was awarded South Puget Sound co-Most Valuable Player and First Team All-League and 4A First Team All-State. Brown is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2024.