As for the 15 Open bid chase, all the drama took place on Day 2. That’s because we know the three teams that are leaving Show Me qualified for Open after Sunday’s results. There was plenty of potential for the final day of play to produce a climatic close to the three days of competition. But one large surprise ended that. The second day of action started off with all six previously-qualified teams in contention in 15 Open. However, it ended with only three advancing to the two, three-team gold pools set for Monday. That means the remaining three clubs in the gold pools – PVA 15 Elite, KC Power 15 Black and Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite – already know their fate before hitting the court on Day 3. No matter the results, they’ll earn bids. The shocker came with national No. 3 OT 15 Randy – the No. 2 overall seed – going 1-2 in Pool 2 and not advancing. With TAV 15 Fifer and NE Elite 15 Revolution also not moving on, it took the drama away for Day 3. Had one of that trio advanced, it would have brought the silver bracket into play. I for one was pulling for that scenario to play out, but that’s the thing about qualifiers. There’s always an unexpected twist around the corner and I did not see this one coming. Not sure anyone did with OT falling to both KC Power and PVA. KC Power ended the day at 3-0, followed by PVA at 2-1. Filling out the gold pools are previously-qualified Skyline 15 Royal, VCNebraska 15 Elite and Premier Nebraska 15 Gold. Skyline and Premier Nebraska were in Pool 1 together, along with TAV and NE Elite. All four had bids already and only two could advance. That certainly created an opportunity for others. Rockwood Thunder went 2-1 in Pool 3, finishing tied with VCNebraska and taking first based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. VCNebraska barely pulled through in its last outing against Paramount 15 Nick, winning 25-15, 22-25, 15-13, and ending Paramount’s hopes of qualifying. Had VCNebraska not advanced, that would have brought a bit of drama to the Day 3 gold pools. While the bid chase is over in 15 Open, the scenarios in 16 Open are many. Among the happenings on Day 2 was previously-qualified HJV 16 Elite going 1-2 and finishing third in its pool. However, there were two play-in brackets and HJV prevailed in one of them to make one of the four, three-team gold pools. MJVA 16 Elite survived the other one. As for the gold pools, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they play out on Day 3. That’s because the other big news was OP2 16-1 Elite upsetting previously-qualified Boiler Jrs 16 Gold in pool play to finish first. That knocked Boiler Jrs into Pool 1 as the No. 3 team for Day 3. Also in that pool is top-seeded Skyline 16 Royal and previously-qualified MN Select 16-1. What I’m watching for is if teams which finish in second place in the gold pools will still have a shot to qualify or not. Pool 2 doesn’t feature any qualified teams, while Pool 3 features Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar and Pool 4 contains HJV. There are lots of scenarios that can play out, but if only one qualified team advances to the top four, then the other three teams will earn bids. However, if two or more qualified teams – only three can advance in all – make the final four, teams coming in second place will playoff for the last bid or bids. That could create a fantastic conclusion on Monday. As for 17 Open, both qualified teams in Hou Skyline 17 Royal and MAVS KC 17-1 are in the mix. They are split up between the two, four-team gold pools. Of the remaining six teams, three are going to earn bids. Pool 1 is filled out by Northern Lights 17-1, Dynasty 17 Black and Mich Elite 17 Mizuno. Mich Elite had quite the day after starting off 0-2. However, Mich Elite managed to edge PVA 17 Elite in three, 25-16, 23-25, 21-19, to create a three-way tie at 1-2 with PVA and MN Select. Mich Elite earned second place behind 3-0 GP 17 Rox. GP is part of Pool 2, along with MAVS, Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite and HPSTL 17 Royal. HPSTL also finished in a three-way tie at 1-2 with MJVA 17 Elite and Austin Skyline 17 Royal but took second to remain alive. MAVS avoided a three-way tie at 1-2 by beating Dynasty in the last match. Both finished 2-1 with MAVS earning the head-to-head tiebreaker. ***** DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Logan Cary S/RS FRVBC 17 Black: Cary – a 2026 recruit playing up – helps make up a solid setter/right side duo for Front Range. She’s skillful at both, able to locate consistently while finding space in the defense when attacking. Audrey Hollis S/RS FRVBC 17 Black: A UC San Diego commit, Hollis fills out the setter/right side combo for Front Range. She’s above average in both categories. She has a nice touch setting and sees the court well when swinging. Sydni Vice OH MJVA 17 Elite: Vice – a 4-star recruit from the Class of 2026 – is really long. She can extend way up in the air and not only can easily go over blocks but has a fluid swing to match. Ella Seeger OH MJVA 17 Elite: A 3-star Wright State commit, Seeger is a strong attacker with a solid arm. She hits with power and provides a definite boost to the attack. Shelby Ignash MB Mich Elite 17 Mizuno: Ignash – a 3-star Texas Tech commit – adds an offensive dynamic when she’s across the front row. Mich Elite looks to get her involved as much as possible and she delivers more times than not. Ella Craggs S Mich Elite 17 Mizuno: A 3-star Illinois State, Craggs does a great job
