As we turn to March, it’s not too far off to start thinking about the 18s USAV GJNC coming up in April We have turned the halfway point in the 18s qualifying season. Where there were once 48 available Open bids, we are down to 21 remaining. Another three are guaranteed to go out this coming weekend at the Boston Festival taking place Friday through Sunday. We take a look below at the event, including our predictions for the champion and bid winners.
18 OPEN
Number of Teams: 29
Number of Bids Available: 3
Previously-Qualified Teams (3): 1st Alliance 18 Gold; Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite; MN Select 18-1
Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (7):
- 4. 1st Alliance 18 Gold
12. Skyline 18 Royal
19. Pohaku 18-1
21. Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite
29. MN Select 18-1
47. VC United 18 Elite
49. Circle City 18 Purple
5-Star Players to Know:
- Mak Miller MB Pohaku 18-1 (2025)
4-Star Players to Know:
- Grace Nelson OH 1st Alliance 18 Gold (Kansas)
Ellie White OH 1st Alliance 18 Gold (Michigan)
Calli Kenny S/RS 1st Alliance 18 Gold (Marquette)
McKenna Brand L/DS Skyline 18 Royal (UCONN)
Amanda Mack OH IMG 18 (Cincinnati)
Hazel Alevok MB IMG 18 (2025, UCLA)
Maya Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite (2025 Vanderbilt)
Jordan Smith RS Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite (2025, NC State)
Outlook: With three qualified teams in the field, we know that all three available bids are going to be awarded. We just don’t know if trickle down will play a part. The guess is with a team like 1st Alliance 18 Gold in the mix, there be at least trickle down to fourth place. Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite and MN Select 18-1 are the other two clubs holding bids already. The three teams enter as three of the top four seeds, with Skyline 18 Royal in that pack and seeded No. 2 overall. It’s not the deepest qualifier of the season, so that presents a chance for teams to breakthrough and punch their tickets. Pohaku 18-1 is a team to follow this weekend. The club finished 11th recently at Triple Crown, tying with Skyline. AVA TX 18 Adidas is also participating in Boston and finished 37th at Triple Crown. Teams like Sky High Adidas 18 Elite and Top Select 18 Elite tied for 51st at Triple Crown. Will those teams be among those earning bids or will we see a surprise take place?
Predictions: 1st Alliance had a solid showing at Triple Crown, taking seventh at falling twice to eventual champion Coast 18-1 and once to KC Power 18-1. Neither are here, so the pick is for 1st Alliance to add to its qualifier victories (the club won at Windy City) by taking home the title and beating Pohaku in the final. Joining Pohaku in earning bids are Skyline and AVA TX as they tie for third.
