2024 CEVA GJNC 16U Bid Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USAV National Bid tournament for the CEVA region was this past weekend, so high-level volleyball from 12U through 18U took place all over Oregon. The 16U age division was allotted three bids: a National Bid to the first-place team, an American Bid to the second-place team, and a Freedom Bid to the third-place team. With eight teams vying for three bids, the competition was tough, but three teams prevailed and will be heading to the 2024 Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, NV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following teams from the CEVA region competed in the 16U Bid Tournament:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Salem 16 National</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Athena 16 Gold</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Aspire NW 16 Empire</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spiketown 16-1 National </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NPJ Salem 16 Elite</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Webfoot 16 Elite</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Athena 16 Black </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Excel 16-1 Lux </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the team's heads to Las Vegas are…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NATIONAL BID - NPJ SALEM 16 NATIONAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NPJ Salem 16 National team secured the National bid after the bid tournament, sweeping the competition in sets and matches. On the roster are 11 Oregon athletes and 2 Washington athletes. Those Oregon athletes are all in the top 20 for the class of 2026 PrepDig rankings, so it is safe to say this is an incredibly talented team. With a National bid in the bag, this team will undoubtedly be vying for an Open bid at a National qualifying tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the #2 overall recruit [player_tooltip player_id='267157' first='Lily' last='Mae Buerkle'] (‘26 Uncommitted) on the roster, the team opts to run a 5-1 with her in their more competitive matches. With finesse, a high volleyball IQ, and an ever-improving jump set, Buerkle masterfully executed a 5-1 at the bid tournament. Also on the roster is [player_tooltip player_id='268711' first='Irene' last='Rocha'] (‘26 Uncommitted), who has been utilized as a setter and a DS/L depending on the team's needs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both pins are absolutely stacked with talent and athleticism, with the ability to interchange their pin hitters match after match and still be incredibly successful, showing how deep their bench is in terms of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='267158' first='Reese' last='Kincaid'] (‘26 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='267160' first='Emma' last='Brewer'] (‘26 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='267161' first='Sadie' last='Ross'] (‘26 Uncommitted), and [player_tooltip player_id='268715' first='Briella' last='Mathis'] (‘26 Uncommitted) all take turns dominating from the outside. Their right side has been entrusted to incredibly bouncy and athletic players [player_tooltip player_id='503524' first='Iman' last='Foster'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='249606' first='Jada' last='Johnson'] (‘26 Uncommitted). Both of their middle blockers, [player_tooltip player_id='290227' first='Shaylee' last='Stephen'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='403351' first='Quinn' last='Pedersen'] (‘26 Uncommitted), hail from Camas, WA, and prove to be an incredibly formidable front.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='267162' first='Yana' last='Tuioti'] (‘26 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='238094' first='Kiana' last='Johnson'] (‘26 Uncommitted), and [player_tooltip player_id='268716' first='Sidney' last='Ginter'] (‘26 Uncommitted), NPJ's backrow is in top-notch hands. Running a two-libero system, Ginter and Tuioti finished the day in a libero jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AJ Francis is the head coach of this NPJ, with assistance from NPJ and Corban alum Jojo Daviscourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AMERICAN BID - ATHENA 16 GOLD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athena 16 Gold took home the American bid after battling their way to the finals, falling to NPJ 16 National, their only loss of the day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three talented setters on Athena's roster, the team opts to run a 6-2 between [player_tooltip player_id='268712' first='Sloan' last='Hefeneider'] (‘26 Uncommitted), [player_tooltip player_id='503529' first='Onyi' last='Nwosu'] (‘26 Uncommitted), and [player_tooltip player_id='268714' first='Madeline' last='Harrington'] (‘26 Uncommitted).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #4 overall recruit from Washington, [player_tooltip player_id='450701' first='Gabriella' last='Thompson'] (‘26 Uncommitted), shoulders a major offensive load for the team, playing as a six-rotation outside hitter. Typically playing Thompson's opposite is [player_tooltip player_id='201903' first='Madison' last='Sherby'] (‘26 Uncommitted), an undersized yet incredibly impactful attacker with solid ball control. Addison Green (‘26 Uncommitted) and setter Harrington are generally seen commanding the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='268728' first='Molly' last='Wilson'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='769046' first='Rose' last='Holmes'] (‘27 Uncommitted) are also on the roster as attackers. However, Wilson has begun to transition to more of a DS/L spot this club season. Their primary middle is 6'3” [player_tooltip player_id='267165' first='Hayley' last='Schaaf'] (‘26 Uncommitted), with [player_tooltip player_id='268763' first='Makenna' last='Ennes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='268807' first='Olivia' last='Diaz'] also seeing time in the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their backcourt is in good hands with the defensive duo of [player_tooltip player_id='449941' first='Emmah' last='Sanchez'] (‘26 Uncommitted), from Camas, WA, and Grady May Heinle (‘26 Uncommitted), who split libero duties depending on the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The head coach of this team is Jarrod Ferguson, and assisting him is Jennifer Wineholt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FREEDOM BID - ASPIRE NW 16 EMPIRE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aspire NW 16 Empire took home the Freedom bid. They battled for five matches, defeating Spiketown 16-1 National to secure a bid to Nationals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With [player_tooltip player_id='473859' first='Gracie' last='Jacoby'], the #10 overall Washington recruit from the class of 2027, on the roster, the team tends to go for a 6-2 offense with Jacoby and [player_tooltip player_id='447972' first='Cadence' last='Austin'] (‘26 Uncommitted) splitting setting duties. Due to Jacoby's versatility, she stays in to attack on the right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Aspire, they have a handful of talented pins to choose from. [player_tooltip player_id='482052' first='Finley' last='Marine'] (‘26 Uncommitted) and Alyssandra Ordona (‘26 Uncommitted), both undersized with impressive leaping abilities and a quick arm swing, are often seen hitting on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='251031' first='Royal' last='Grafton']  (‘26 Uncommitted) and [player_tooltip player_id='447986' first='Reagan' last='Austin'] (‘26 Uncommitted) have also been given opportunities to swing on the outside. Typically controlling the right side are setter Jacoby and [player_tooltip player_id='497163' first='Alina' last='Shawgo'] (‘26 Uncommitted). The middle combination of Anna Orlowski (‘26 Uncommitted) and Riley Seymer (‘26 Uncommitted) shows to be an intimidating front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='268726' first='Aviana' last='Trees'] (‘26 Uncommitted) has been sporting the libero jersey since the start of the club season and the bid tournament was no different, commanding the backrow. Avery Eterno (‘26 Uncommitted) proved to be a solid defensive specialist option to play the backrow for a pin hitter when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SueAnn McWatters head coaches this team with the assistance of Yung Nguyen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>—</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can support these amazing athletes by sharing articles with family, friends, fans, and coaches. To do this, subscribe to our site and share across your social media platforms.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay informed by following Prep Dig on its various social media platforms. Follow Prep Dig PNW on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdig_pnw/">@prepdigpnw</a>) for updates on Oregon and Washington athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, unintentional errors happen. 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