June 19, 2024

In recapping the action from Day 2, we highlighted how the results created a super pool for Day 3. That was the biggest storyline as 15 Open built up towards its final day of competition featuring a 12-team gold bracket. Pool A was loaded with four nationally-ranked teams with No. 5 OT 15 Randy, No. 13 Legacy 15-1 Adidas, No. 37 Adidas KiVA 15 Red and No. 41 Mintonette Sports m.51. In a different scenario, it would be possible to see all four teams in the gold bracket. However, with them all together on Day 3 only two could continue on. It didn’t take long to see what type of day it would be. KiVA upset OT Randy out of the gate to shake things up early. After Legacy swept Mintonette, OT bounced back and took care of Legacy in two. KiVA next outlasted Mintonette in three before Legacy swept KiVA. That left everything up to the final match between OT and Mintonette. Not only did OT need to win, but the club needed a sweep in order to advance. That would create a three-way tie, with OT holding one of the two tiebreakers to move on. While OT won, Mintonette managed to stretch the outcome to three sets. That meant Legacy took first place with the best set percentage. With KiVA and OT tying on set percentage, KiVA advanced thanks to its head-to-head victory over OT to open the pool. That was hardly the only drama on the day. A5 15-1 Kelly, the No. 4 overall seed and ranked No. 12 nationally, was upset by unranked Pitt Elite 15 Elite to finish off Pool D. That also created a three-way tie at 2-1 with A5, Pitt Elite and RVA 15 Naples. Despite Pitt’s big victory, the club still took third based on tiebreakers. However, the big news was it relegated A5 to second place with RVA taking first. Another pool that went down to the wire was Pool F. Tri-State Elite 15 Blue, ranked No. 11 nationally, was also upset to start the day, falling to unranked Adversity 15 Adidas. It left Tri-State in a must-win position in its final match against No. 46 Kairos 15 Alpha. Tri-State pulled out the victory. It left Tri-State and Kairos tied at 2-1. Tri-State therefore took first based on the head-to-head result as Kairos moved on in second. Munciana 15 Blue, Northern Lights 15-1 and Top Select 15 Elite all advanced by going 3-0 in their respective pools. Top Select did it as the No. 4 team, while Northern Lights was the No. 2 team and beat WPVC 15 Armour Black, the No. 1 team, to close out its pool as WPVC finished in second. With the results of Day 3, we now know what the gold bracket looks like. One of the matches features Northern Lights taking on rival MN Select 15-1 for a spot in the quarterfinals. KiVA and Tri-State face on for a spot in the quarters as well, where the winner will play Munciana. The trio is familiar with each other as they all play in the Mideast Power League. *** DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS Below, you can find our Day 3 Show Stoppers. These are the players who stood out the most to us during our time watching them. Audrey Simpson MB A5 15-1 Kelly: Simpson, a 6-3 middle and 3-star recruit from the Class of 2026, makes her presence felt. She can see and hit over blocks with consistency. She also puts up a strong block and is a big disrupter defensively. Marissa Jones S A5 15-1 Kelly: A 5-star setter, Jones is a high-level, high IQ disher who runs a diverse offense. She has silky smooth hands and her location is almost always spot on. Livia Sathre RS Northern Lights 15-1: A 6-1 right side, Sathre made herself known to opponents. She puts up a solid block on the right side. She also has a strong arm and is a scoring threat on the right as well. Clara Christ L/DS Northern Lights 15-1: A 4-star defender, Christ is quick and patrols the back row with all-out hustle and effort. She’s tough to get a ball down on. She covers at the net exceptionally well too. Elleora Utecht OH Northern Lights 15-1: Utecht, a 3-star outside, has a lively arm and can let it fly with authority. She helps anchor the attack with her steady attacking. Kaelyn Bjorklund S/RS Northern Lights 15-1: A 4-star recruit, Bjorklund is a key piece of the lineup. She’s able to move the ball around and mix her sets. Attacking wise, she has a strong arm and hits a heavy, powerful ball. Mia Diouf RS GP 15 Rox: Diouf – another 4-star recruit – is a lefty right side who can stay in across the back row and remain an offensive threat. She’s an explosive attacker and provides a real offensive lift. Addison Thompson-Stepp L/DS Legacy 15-1 Adidas: A 3-star recruit, Thompson-Stepp is a defensive anchor who provides a boost on that side of the ball. She plays under control and is a steadying presence in the back row. Kate Kalczynski OH Legacy 15-1 Adidas: Kalczynski – a 4-star recruit – is a weapon on offensive. She’s a legit threat front and back row. She extends and hits from a high angle. Combine with a quick swing, she’s a handful to deal with. Cynthia Ockerman MB Legacy 15-1 Adidas: A 4-star middle, Ockerman is a physical presence at the net. She makes a huge impact on both sides of the ball. She puts up a big block. She’s also a reliable offensive option who defenses need to keep track on. *** Josalyn Samuels S Kairos 15 Alpha: Samuels, part of the Class of 2028, is one of the premier setters in the country for her age group. She also stands out playing up a year. She’s a smooth disher who understands how to run the offense and put her hitters