Junior Defensive Specialists at PrepDig/Baden PNW Invitational
Over the weekend of August 1st I had the privilege of covering the PrepDig/Baden Pacific Northwest Invitational Training Camp. The camp was structured to bring the best athletes in Oregon and Southwest Washington into one facility and let them compete.…
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend of August 1st I had the privilege of covering the PrepDig/Baden Pacific Northwest Invitational Training Camp. The camp was structured to bring the best athletes in Oregon and Southwest Washington into one facility and let them compete. With COVID-19 the opportunities for athletes to compete have been severely limited, so this was a great chance to get the best of the best in one place. While some players were not able to attend, the Courts were filled with forty-seven incredible volleyball players. Be on the lookout for content coming highlighting players in attendance.
Below are the junior defensive specialists who represented their class and position well at the camp.
Maisie Alexander Maisie Alexander 5'6" | DS/L Jesuit | 2022 State OR , 5’6″, DS, Jesuit High School, Athena Volleyball Academy
What makes Alexander such a special player is her quickness. An incredibly fast and limber athlete, she reads the attack well and is able to react to the ball quickly on defense. She plays with fearlessness and is willing to sacrifice her body to touch the ball in order to keep it alive.
Check out her impressive dig and block coverage in one play!
Alexander had a stellar sophomore season, competing with the Jesuit High School Crusaders. Even though she had a few defensive specialists ahead of her she was able to work her way into the starting line-up and eventually became their libero. She helped the Crusaders secure another 6A State championship. For her play, she was awarded Metro First Team All-League.
Last club season she was the libero for Athena Volleyball Academy’s 16-1 National team.
Hannah Nguyen Hannah Nguyen 5'5" | DS/L Jesuit | 2022 State OR , 5’5″, DS, Jesuit High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
What makes Nguyen such a special player is her consistency. She has played at a very competitive level since the fifth grade so she has become accustomed to the fast-paced nature of the game. Always playing on elite teams, she has a very high volleyball IQ that translates well defensively. On serve receive, she is confident in her ability to handle the ball and place it exactly where the setter needs.
Nguyen returned for her sophomore season at Jesuit High School, playing the back row rotation for one of their outside hitters. She helped the Crusaders win another 6A State championship. For her play, she was awarded Metro Third Team All-League as well as given the Team Hustle Award.
Last club season she was the libero for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy’s 16-1 National team.
Sophie Biehler Sophie Biehler 5'7" | DS/L Tualatin | 2022 State OR , 5’7″, DS, Tualatin High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy
What makes Biehler such a special player is her attitude. She is a constant positive presence both on and off the court. This positive attitude she carries with her elevates the energy of her teammates greatly. Attitude aside, she is also an incredibly hard-working athlete who pours her heart into every practice, point and set.
Check out her spectacular dig!
Biehler had an outstanding sophomore season for the Tualatin High School Timberwolves. She has stepped into just about every role for the Timberwolves given her versatility. She juggles different roles depending on the team she is on. Though she has transitioned to a defensive specialist role this past club season, for the Timberwolves, she is a smart and powerful hitter and can step into the setter role if needed, given her naturally nice hands.
Last club season she played for Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy’s 16-1 National team.