Presidents Day PNW Standouts!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, the Pacific Northwest had incredible success in tournaments over the Presidents Day weekend. NPJ Forefront, a combined team with athletes from Oregon and Washington, placed fifth overall at the prestigious Triple Crown Invitational in Kansa City. The team dropped a bracket play match to the eventual champion Wave 18 Juliana, then rallied to end with a victory over Far Out 18 Black in a fifth-place match. NCWVBC 18 took home the championship in the top 17-18 Division at the Festival Fiesta Classic in Phoenix, and CPA 16 Benson came out on top in the 16 Open Division. Dakine 16 Surf placed second at the NW Juniors Presidents Day Tournament, only dropping a single match- the final to PSVBA 18 Legacy. Here are several players (among many) who had a terrific showing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231549"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7cdd03ceb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eichert helped power NPJ Forefront to a top-five finish at the Triple Crown NIT tournament, a tremendous achievement for a Pacific Northwest team. The 2026 USD commit was clicking in all phases, offensively and defensively. Eichert scored in multiple ways, mixing in smart shots to compliment her ever-present power game. The junior showed her ability to score against the top teams and talent in the nation while holding it down defensively and in serve-receive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268469"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7cdd03cf2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A senior headed to the University of Idaho to play next fall, Smith just keeps improving and was rocketing kills out of the middle for NPJ at the Festival Fiesta. She has a quick transition and can turn the ball around the block to find scoring opportunities. Smith was a difference-maker this weekend, helping NPJ 18 Seattle National to a second-place finish- The Vandals have a good one arriving next fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["508131"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7cdd03cf9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steel plays the hustle and heart you love to see out of the libero position. She does a tremendous job covering her attackers and was solid in serve-receive as CPA 18 Kosty made a run to the semi-finals in Phoenix. Steel was a stand-out performer at Shadle Park and has continued to improve and refine her overall defensive game into the club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["250403"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7cdd03d014"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stuber was a powerful force from the right side and as a back row opposite attacker for NCWVBC 18 as they took home the 17/18 Open Championship in Phoenix. The Wenatchee senior looked very comfortable in a position different from her high school days, and her blocking experience in the middle carried over nicely to the right side. WWU will appreciate her quick and strong arm swing; Stuber can rip it and knows how to score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486981"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b7cdd03d087"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dakine 16 Surf only lost one match at the NW Juniors Presidents Day tournament, a tight two-set loss to PSVBA 18 Legacy. Smith is running an up-tempo offense and finding her attackers one-up opportunities. She has quick feet and stays dynamic, utilizing a well-controlled jump set to speed up the offense. Smith was defensively picking up tips and hard swings; she was outstanding throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340570"],"_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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b814d573ac7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shockwave 18 posted a 6-2 record over the weekend in Phoenix, and Gant's tough shot-making and accurate setting helped her team battle hard against excellent competition. The Southridge junior took big swings off both pins in a matchup against NPJ Seattle, scoring off the block and making good shot decisions when needed. Her setting and defense were solid when she moved from the front to back row, Gant has soft hands and good location. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->