Golden Athlete: Grady May Shines Spotlight on Athena Teammates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A major shoutout to&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/author/michelle-bamford-author/"><strong>Michelle Bamford</strong></a>&nbsp;from PrepDig California for the creation and inspiration behind this article series.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Because Michelle Bamford's introductory paragraph perfectly sums up the importance of this series, we are using her words to kick off this series in Oregon…</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acknowledging and cherishing the dedication of those who stand by your side on the court is paramount in the pursuit of victory. To emphasize the importance of acknowledging and showing appreciation to teammates and to spotlight the pivotal role their support plays in the quest for greatness, we've extended an invitation to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267163' first='Grady' last='May Heinle']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/paige-thies/"></a> </strong>to share her insights on the players who make up her club team's starting line-up. Through her words, we aim to shed light on the indispensable contributions of the teammates who have been instrumental in shaping her success on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":548063,"width":"926px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/athena-16-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-548063" style="width:926px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong>Athena 16 Gold team photo</strong> (from L to R: [player_tooltip player_id='267163' first='Grady' last='May Heinle'], [player_tooltip player_id='503529' first='Onyi' last='Nwosu'], [player_tooltip player_id='449941' first='Emmah' last='Sanchez'], [player_tooltip player_id='268714' first='Madeline' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='769046' first='Rose' last='Holmes'], [player_tooltip player_id='268728' first='Molly' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='268712' first='Sloan' last='Hefeneider'], [player_tooltip player_id='201903' first='Madison' last='Sherby'], [player_tooltip player_id='268814' first='Addy' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='268763' first='Makenna' last='Ennes'], [player_tooltip player_id='267165' first='Hayley' last='Schaaf'], [player_tooltip player_id='268807' first='Olivia' last='Diaz'], [player_tooltip player_id='450701' first='Gabriella' last='Thompson']) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Athena 16 Gold is comprised of competitive and passionate athletes. Our team dynamic is disciplined but also fun and energetic. Our team is One Team filled with incredibly talented players who have a passion for the game and winning together, as one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450701"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa483fb9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Ella is an amazing competitor and teammate. She controls the front row and her big swings are a game changer in the moments that matter. She is a stud athlete and plays a critical role on our team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["201903"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa48403f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Madison is a smart player, strategically placing huge swings giving the team strong momentum. She is very effective in the back row nailing passes and running a consistent bic when out of system.  She demonstrates strong leadership on and off the court, always bringing a positive mindset, competitive team spirit and love for the game which has a high impact on our success as a team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["503529"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa48409e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Onyi has very smooth hands and great placement. Onyi has incredible grit on defense and is unstoppable. She's such a fiery and competitive spirit making herself and teammates play at the highest level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268714"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa484114"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Madi has strong athleticism and an amazing flow to her game. She's a setter you can count on, as well as a teammate always saying encouraging words in huddles and in the middle of plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["267165"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa48416c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Hayley is a powerhouse. She is a middle blocker who always follows the setter and gets stellar kills. She has many shots in her back pocket and an effective block, leading her to be a key defensive player on our team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268763"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa4841c1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Makenna is making a big impact on our team this year. She always finds the setters and makes really smart plays. She makes explosive plays on the court, making her blocks an effective part of our defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["449941"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa484212"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Emmah is a DS/L. She is so effective in the back row, always making critical plays. She's fast on defense, showing speed and discipline, but also is an amazing offensive player nailing passes left and right. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268814"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa484262"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From Grady: </strong>Addison is such a versatile player. She plays right side and has a strong-arm swing. She is a smart and savvy player, creating the plays needed in the important moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["267163"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66675aa4842b8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And finally, we are proud to spotlight [player_tooltip player_id='267163' first='Grady' last='May Heinle'], a 5'6” sophomore from Portland, Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heinle is a top-10 recruit coming out of the State of Oregon for the class of 2026, and her play across the backrow is always impressive to watch. Her game is a combination of pure athleticism, impressive technical abilities, and skillful court sense. She is a commanding presence on serve receive, committing to her seams and taking up a lot of court space. She showcased dutiful platform awareness, creating space, and anticipation with an early angle to pass a consistent ball to the setter. Defensively, she reads the attacker well to position herself in the right place to dig the ball. She makes attackers jobs difficult, staying light on her feet with quick reflexes, she is able to react to the tough swings and well placed tips with ease. She employs a variety of diving tactics to keep the ball in play. From the service line, Heinle has a killer jump float serve that garners lots of service aces and disruptions. Skill aside, she brings a lot of positive energy and competitive fire to the court, never shy to hype up her teammates. She leads with lots of communication and a calm confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past high school season with Central Catholic, Heinle played an integral role in their success. Taking on a new position, she was rarely seen off the court, playing as a six-rotation outside hitter. Although undersized for an attacker, she has impressive leaping abilities, a quick arm, and exceptional court vision to place the ball where opponents are not. On the season, Heinle tallied the second-highest amount of service aces at 40, had the highest serve receive rating, passing a 2.3, and racked up 188 kills. Her play was instrumental in the Rams taking back the Mt. Hood Conference title. She was honored with Mt. Hood Second Team All-League for her dominant play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This club season with Athena 16 Gold Heinle has seen court time as either a defensive specialist or libero, depending on the match, splitting time with [player_tooltip player_id='449941' first='Emmah' last='Sanchez']. As one of their anchors across the backcourt, she helped them secure an American bid to USAV Nationals in July and was integral in their second-place finish in 16 Open at the West Coast Triple Crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heinle is a dedicated student in the classroom, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA. When not in school or on the volleyball court, she loves to spend time outside. She is also passionate about surfing, going whenever the weather permits, or when traveling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At present, Heinle has not committed to a college volleyball program. However, she still has plenty of time left in her recruiting journey. A top-10 recruit, she will undoubtedly have plenty of college options to choose from.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With these aforementioned skillsets and qualities, [player_tooltip player_id='267163' first='Grady' last='May Heinle'] proudly earns her spot as one of PrepDig's esteemed Golden Athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->