Oregon’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best liberos and defensive specialists

By René Ferrán

Over the next week, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oregon high school volleyball. Our second list focuses on the liberos and defensive specialists.

There are hundreds of standout volleyball players in Oregon and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other liberos/defensive specialists you think should be added.

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L Angeleena Acosta, David Douglas, Jr.

Acosta played a critical role in leading the Scots back to the 6A playoffs last fall after an 11-year absence, making the all-Mt. Hood first team while leading the team in aces and recording a passing rating above 2.0. “Angeleena has a calm yet aggressive demeanor and is the backbone of our serve receive and defense,” coach Janeen Rainey said. “Angeleena is also a smart hitter from the back row and has earned us many points this season.”

L Addie Azavedo, Jesuit, So.

Azavedo missed last season because of knee surgery, but she has stepped in for all-state first-team libero Maisie Alexander and been the team’s top server (44 aces, .933 percentage) and defender (196 digs, 3.6 per set). “She is very talented and gets to a lot of attacks,” coach Teresa Zimmerlee said.

DS Jodi Bingham, Powder Valley, Jr.

Bingham has grown into her role as a defensive specialist for the Badgers this season. Coach Marji Lind raved about her serving and how many points it has earned the team.

L Kinsey Brelage, Roseburg, Sr.

Brelage has anchored Roseburg’s defense the past two seasons, earning all-Southwest honorable mention as a junior and averaging 5.6 digs per set this fall. She has a 2.64 serve-receive rating and serves at a 94% clip.

L Elle Bruegman, Sheldon, Sr.

Bruegman, the twin sister of reigning Southwest player of the year Beaux Bruegman, was a first-team all-conference selection in her own right. She leads the Irish with 197 digs and 40 assists this season. “Elle studies the game and loves the challenge in finding a way to win,” coach Martine Wodke said. “Her effort and energy are seen by all.”

DS Kylie Burden, Tillamook, Jr.

Burden can operate a tow truck or crane with the same aplomb as the all-Cowapa honorable mention selection digs up an attack. “Just watch her eyes twinkle — she secretly loves taking a hitter’s kill away,” coach Lavonne Rawe said. “Ky is one of the most upbeat athletes you’ll ever come across.”

L Maile Chan, Mountainside, Jr.

Chan grew up in Germany, moving back to the United States in middle school, and as a sophomore, she was an all-Metro honorable mention selection, averaging 4.1 digs per set with a 2.56 serve receive rating. This season, she has averaged 15.1 digs per match and posted a 2.3 serve receive rating. “Maile is a very dedicated player who loves to train,” said her coach and mother, Lena Chan. “Every touch matters to her.”

L Kennedy Cheung, Westview, Sr.

Cheung made the all-Metro first team last season, when the Wildcats finished second to three-time defending league champion Jesuit. The four-year varsity player leads the Wildcats with 195 digs during a 17-3 start. “Kennedy is an instrumental part of our success defensively,” coach Janelle Brandt said. “She is a very strong server, key serve receive passer, and keeps us in a lot of big rallies with amazing saves and coverage.”

L Olive Clapp, Portland Christian, Fr.

Clapp had no illusions of grandeur when she tried out this year, but first-year Royals coach Denetia Chimuku recalled how “she was the loudest, most energetic person in the gym. … she was sincerely surprised when I gave her the uniform she earned.” Chimuku called her “a game-time player. She is able to keep the team in the game with her communication and is always trying to make sure her team is successful.”

L Alexa Cornell, West Linn, So.

Cornell started her career as an outside hitter, but Lions coach Emilie Wilmes moved her to libero this season, taking over for the graduated Audrey Shih. “She brings energy and consistency on the court, which we need,” Wilmes said. “To see her grow in this role has been so fun to watch.”

L Jadyn Daviscourt, Cascade, Jr.

Daviscourt has anchored the Cougars backcourt the past two seasons, making the all-Oregon West second team as a sophomore. “She has grown into this confident, composed player that is very needed with our younger teammates,” coach Cristina Williams said. “Her serve receive is one of the best in the state, and she reads the ball so well. Jadyn has great ball control and a wicked serve, and I love having her on my team.”

L Lirian Holden, Weston-McEwen, Jr.

Holden had 322 digs as a sophomore, received 553 serves (90% success rate) and passed at a 1.85 clip in earning all-Blue Mountain honorable mention. Coach Shawn White praised how she has “continued to raise her game and anchors our defense with outstanding hustle. She covers the floor as well as anyone.”

L Gracie Jensen, Silverton, Jr.

Jensen took over for all-conference libero Lilly Horner this season, leading the team in serve receiving (189, 4.7 per set) to go with 101 digs and 14 aces (.934 serving percentage). She also is a standout on the beach volleyball circuit. “A true leader by example,” coach Reilly-Jane Rosecrans said. “She works hard and strives for perfection in what she does.”

L Samantha Keightley, Oregon City, Sr.

Keightley has been one of the state’s top liberos the past three seasons. She made the all-Three Rivers first team last fall and this season had 181 digs and 36 aces (both team highs) through Sept. 29. “Samantha is a strong defender and excellent server,” coach Erica Frafjord said. “She has been the anchor in our defense and continues to provide the on-court leadership that is vital to a successful team.”

L Alyssa Knox, Santiam Christian, Sr.

Eagles coach Kelli Fitzpatrick called Knox “a great leader by example” who anchors the defense. “She’s lighthearted, humble, and cares more about her team than any accolades she might receive,” Fitzpatrick said.

L Delaney Mitchell, Molalla, Sr.

Mitchell had a team-high 149 digs and served .900 with 11 aces last season, when she made the all-Tri-Valley honorable mention list. Injuries have led to her splitting time at setter with Asvery Guijosa Gonzalez this season. “Delaney is a solid passer and team leader,” coach Lauree Nelzen said. “She is a fierce competitor who will fight hard for her team’s success.”

L Mia Monaghan, Sisters, Jr.

Monaghan was an all-Oregon West honorable mention selection last fall, and Outlaws coach Rory Rush praised “her incredible floor sense. She has the ability to read and cover the whole floor with her incredible quickness.”

DS Maritza Nieves, Tillamook, Jr.

When Nieves isn’t entertaining her teammates with her skills as a rap artist, she’s scoring points as the team’s top server or digging up a tough attack. “Z is that athlete who has grown from an individualist to a true team player,” said Cheesemakers coach Lavonne Rawe.

L Lauren Patterson, Sunset, Sr.

The three-year starter has committed to play at Loyola Marymount. She was a third-team all-Metro selection last fall. This season, she led the Apollos with 245 digs through Sept. 30 and was second on the team with 27 aces and 40 assists.

L Gracie Peach, Marshfield, Jr.

Peach moved from setter, where she was an all-Sky Em honorable mention selection last fall (377 assists, 167 digs), to libero this season and quickly took to her new role. “Gracie is a competitor,” Pirates coach Tammie Montiel said. “No matter what the game is, she is going to give it her all and wants to win.”

DS Natasha Perez, Westview, Sr.

Perez teams with libero Kennedy Cheung to form a formidable back row for the Wildcats. Perez has 51 digs and 21 aces this season. “She keeps us in a lot of big rallies and runs down any ball with amazing defensive saves,” coach Janelle Brandt said.

L Sophia Rewers, Valley Catholic, Sr.

Rewers made the all-Cowapa first team last season as a defensive specialist playing alongside first-team all-state libero Kylee King. With King having graduated, Rewers took over the libero jersey this year and had 172 digs and a 2.2 serve receive rating in the first month of the season. “Sophia can get to any ball and has really come to own the back row, which is what you want from your libero,” said Valiants coach Becky Kemper.

L Kaylea Rietdyk, Mazama, Sr.

Rietdyk made the all-Skyline defensive team and was a second-team all-conference selection last fall. This season, she’s averaging four digs per set (177) and serving at a .916 clip with 55 aces — all while traveling from Klamath Falls to Medford to train with Southern Oregon Gymnastics Academy. “Kaylea is one of the hardest working and most competitive players,” said Vikings assistant coach Sam Fenner. “She is an incredible teammate and athlete.”

L Dani Street, Crescent Valley, Jr.

Street played alongside graduated all-conference libero Kara Paterson last fall, finishing second on the team in digs, and this season has become “the team’s compass,” as Raiders coach Troy Shorey described her. She’s averaging 6.2 digs per set (308 total). “She has the ability to get them focused on the agenda for the match,” Shorey said. “Her defensive play ignites the offense and allows them to compete at the level they do.”

L Macy Temple, Burns, Sr.

Temple was a second-team all-Eastern Oregon League selection last fall for the 3A state champion Hilanders. This season, she has 156 digs and 262 serve receptions and is serving at a 90% clip with 26 aces.

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