GJNC

The results were all over the place as the 16 Open competition began four days of play at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. That’s not unusual given the high-caliber clubs in attendance, all of which are vying for a gold medal. The only way to make that happen is to break the first round of pool play. While not all of the top teams made it through the opening day unscathed, none appear in trouble barring the unexpected on Day 2. At the same time, a couple of lower-seeded teams made noise and are in position to advance. One of which is Madfrog 16 Green, which went 3-0 as the No. 25 overall seed. Madfrog, which is ranked No. 27 in our Top 50 National Rankings, not only went undefeated on the first day, it didn’t even drop a set in sweeping Legacy 16-1 Adidas, Wave 16 Kevin and OT 16 JP. All three opponents are higher up in our national rankings, so it was truly an impressive effort. Madfrog didn’t earn its bid until late, picking it up at the Far Western national qualifier and avoiding the stress of the at-large process. Another team coming out of the gates strong was AVC Cle 16 Red, which is the No. 28 overall seed and also ranked No. 28 in the nation. AVC opened up with a sweep over AAU 16 Open silver medalist and an at-large recipient here in Mich Elite 16 Mizuno. AVC then outlasted OT 16 Roberto in three before falling to Nebraska One 16 Synergy and ending up 2-1. Two of the pools were more topsy-turvy than the rest. One was Pool 2, where Surfside 16 PV Legends, the No. 2 overall seed, lost to Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal and is 2-1. Tribe, meanwhile, had a great start in going 3-0. Not only did Tribe upend Surfside, Tribe also took down AAU 16 Open gold medalist Adidas KiVA 16 Red, as well as MAVS KC 16-1. KiVA, Surfside and Austin Skyline 16 Royal are all tied at 2-1 heading into the second day of play. MAVS and Triangle 16 Black are both 0-3 and have lots of work to do to make it out ahead of any of those four. Pool 4, which featured AVC, was wild as well, where No. 4 overall Hou Skyline 16 Royal lost to Mich Elite and is in a four-way tie at 2-1 with Nebraska One, Mich Elite and AVC. After falling to AVC, Mich Elite responded emphatically with huge victories over Nebraska One and Hou Skyline. It figured the one match Mich Elite needed to win on Day 1 was against AVC and after falling to AVC was in serious trouble. Yet, Mich Elite came alive to help create the havoc. Teams yet to lose include 1st Alliance 16 Gold, Madfrog, Tribe, Drive Nation 16 Red, Circle City 16 Purple, HJV 16 Elite, A5 16 Gabe and Arizona Storm 16 Thunder. *** By Christine Phillips The air in the gym was palpable with anticipation as the last wave of the USAV National Championships kicked off Monday. It was a day brimming with electric energy and anticipation, as athletes from across the nation gathered to battle it out on the court. From the very first serve the competition was fierce. And true to the nature of any sports event, the day was not without its fair share of unexpected upsets. It was an absolute delight to witness standout performances from athletes like Sydni Vice from MJVA 16 Elite and Marin Collins, a recently committed athlete to Penn State, from Niagara Frontier 17 Navy. These formidable outside hitters displayed an incredible level of skill, power and finesse as they unleashed thunderous attacks and sent balls soaring across the court. Their relentless determination and unwavering focus captivated spectators, making for an exhilarating viewing experience. Additionally, Payton Petersen, a Louisville commit, showcased her exceptional talent on the outside with her powerful hits everywhere on the court. Another standout athlete was Elizabeth Andrew from ATHENA VB 17-1 Gold, whose undeniable prowess and command of the game made her an absolute force to be reckoned with. Her ability to dominate the court with her exceptional skills and unwavering confidence was fun to watch. The convention center was filled with a multitude of talented athletes who contributed to the electrifying atmosphere, making it an unforgettable and thrilling experience for all who had the pleasure of watching. *** By Chris Tobolski and Christine Phillips 16s DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS Zoey Matias L Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal: Matias – a 4-star recruit – is a thrill to watch. She’s totally under control and seemingly always positioned in the right spot. She’s a lights-out passer and plays all-out in her defensive efforts. Olivia Moffett S CoJrs 16Kaleena: Moffett is a hard working and intense setter with a clean release and soft touch. She also adds a sizable wall at the net defensively.   Karsyn Fetzer OH NORCO 16 Black: Fetzer, an undersized outside, jumps well and has a quick arm that helps her beat the block.   Sydni Vice OH MJVA 16 Elite: A 4-star recruit, Vice takes huge swings everywhere on the court. She has a high contact which makes it hard for defenses to control.   Amanda Naipo OH Hawaiian Style 16-Black: Naipo is smart, scrappy and has a wicked snap when she is attacking.   Cali Eastling OH Wisconsin Ice 16 National: Eastling is an undersized six-rotation outside who is incredibly smart. She knows how to collect points with shots or swings.  Ava Dickerson MB Blue Ridge 16 Blue: Dickerson, an undersized middle, was active in her role and was working hard to make herself available. She is also a defensive weapon at the net.  Ada McCoy OH Blue Ridge 16 Blue: McCoy is a hard-swinging outside who jumps well and can bring the heat. Kaytlin Johnson OH TK 16 Soar: Johnson can swing with authority on the pins and brings incredible fire to the court.  Camille Schiralli OH SOSVBC 16 National: Schiralli brings an energy

Everyone is on the home stretch here at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. One of the last divisions to compete is the 17s, which began play Monday and runs through Thursday, July 6. The vballrecruiter.com team continues on with our coverage, after spending Day 1 scouring the courts and taking notes on the players who were our favorite and/or impressed us more than the norm. It leads us to the first of four All Red Hat Teams, which features our favorite players from Day 1. The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another. DAY 1 ALL RED HAT TEAM Paityn Chapman OH Co Jrs 17 Kevin: Chapman stood out for a variety of reasons. One, she was bringing big-time offense and helping power the attack along. She was taking aggressive swings front and back row. The Tennessee commit has the height to be an impactful hitter and she did well finding the open space. Isabel Clark OH Momentous 17 Dan: Clark – a 4-star San Diego recruit – can crush balls with ease. She’s a free-swinging outside with hops who when she gets up and connects, it’s best to duck for cover. She’s a featured part of the attack and is called upon to score points in clutch moments. Julia Hunt MB NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami: The way Hunt – a 4-star Washington commit – gets after it makes her fun to watch. She’s an outgoing, energetic middle who makes plays on both sides of the ball. She moves very well and gets out on the slide with no trouble. She has a lively arm and can rip balls down without issue. The way she moves also allows her to interfere with shots with touches, blocks or forcing hitters to go to another spot. Mackenzie Parsons MB Coast 17-1: Parsons – a Cornell commit – plays with high-energy and really gets after in the middle. She’s a workhorse with a big arm and she is able to change Coast’s offense when she checks in with her scoring ability. Defenses need to honor her or else pay the price because Coast will set her and she knows what to do with it. Riley Whitlock RS Boiler Jrs 17 Gold: Whitlock – 4-star Ball State commit – can get up on the right side and extend on the attack to put balls away corner to corner. She also puts up a big block to help slow attackers. She’s a bit more even-keeled and doesn’t get too high or low as she plays with a steady, consistent demeanor. Makenna Crosson RS NorCal 17-1 Black: Crosson is a name to know. She’s a 2026 graduate who is playing up two divisions and contributing in a major way. Obviously, she has a lot of room for growth and development but that she’s performing as well as she is against 17 Open talent is saying something. She has a strong arm that is only going to keep getting better and better. Charlie Fuerbringer S Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar: Fuerbringer – a 5-star Wisconsin recruit – is worth the price of admission to watch run the show. She’s a bubbly setter with all the tools, traits and intangibles that help make her one of the top setters in the nation. She’s extremely fluid and silky-smooth with her movements and delivery. And she can also hit on the right side with smarts and high IQ. Hannah Pattie S AVC Cle 17 Red: Pattie exemplifies what the All Red Hat Team is about. She’s a bit undersized, but the Campbell recruit can sling it around and is super fun to watch. She has a great release, can run tempo and puts the ball in the window for hitters to do the rest. Faith Frame L Premier Nebraska 17 Gold: Frame – a Cincinnati commit – is definitely one of our favorites defenders to watch get after it. She does not miss many plays and when she does you can see the frustration she has with herself. She’s a lockdown defender and lights-out passer who is capable of making highlight-worthy saves. Alice Volpe L HJV 17 Elite: Volpe – a 4-star TCU recruit – is too smooth. She’s not a super fiery libero or very demonstrative on the court. She’s more on the stoic side and makes plays all over the court. She’s a sharp passer who doesn’t get challenged much in serve receive. She reads and anticipates well too and is also able to make big-time ups.

One of the next-up divisions in the madness that is the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago is 16s. It kicked off Monday with the opening round of pool play, with the championship match set for July 6. With very little margin for error, the athletes came ready to compete and fight. Below, we highlight our Day 1 All Red Hat Team. The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another. DAY 1 ALL RED HAT TEAM Hannah Leftridge OH HPSTL 16 Royal: Leftridge is a perfect fit for the All Red Hat Team. Always among are favorites players are outsides who may be a bit undersized but have heart and determination to make it happen regardless. That’s Leftridge, who is a six-rotation outside who passes well out of serve receive and is a heady attacker who knows how to score with a variety of shots. And she just keeps coming at you. Anna Jelinek OH Nebraska One 16 Synergy: Truthfully, we were pondering putting the entire Nebraska One team on the All Red Hat Team because they all personify exactly what we are looking for. We selected Jelinek because she too is a bit undersized but a tremendous player who passes, defends and scores well.   Bayleigh Minor MB Hou Skyline 16 Royal: We try not to focus on 5-star recruits but it was impossible to ignore Minor’s play and contributions in the middle. She hit an outright indefensible shot that left spectators in awe as she went straight up then straight down with the ball at the 10-foot line. Few players can get up and hit directly over the block and still bounce balls like that! Olivia Wayne MB Madfrog 16 Green: Wayne was strong in the middle during while we were watching. She was getting out on the slide and scoring effectively and providing a real threat. She’s a solid blocker too and brings fire to the position. Taryn Morris RS Drive Nation 16 Red: Morris was a big-time scorer during our time observing. Drive Nation was in system and feeding her the ball. She rewarded her team by blasting balls down and off blocks with authority. Isabela Haggard S/RS Adidas KiVA 16 Red: Haggard brings her passion, competitiveness and will to win to the floor. She’s a bit undersized but she’s a tough cover on the right side when she’s coming at defenders. She’s absolutely fearless and can really connect when she catches one. She’s also a solid setter who has a nice touch and locates consistently. Annabelle Groomes S/RS AVC Cle 16 Red: Groomes – a 5-star San Diego commit – is among the most versatile players we have witnessed all season. Not all of that was on display on Day 1, as she was in her typical role of setting and hitting. But we have seen her play outside and pass out of serve receive at times, so she can do it all. She’s a high-caliber setter with great hands and accuracy. She also is a strong hitter capable of unloading huge kills. Charlotte Glass S Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal: Glass – a 5-star recruit – is a smooth-dishing setter who plays under control and does a great job directing the attack. She too has a great touch and release and she’s rarely off with her location. Rya Borer L Premier Nebraska 16 Gold: Borer is a feisty libero who leaves is it all on the court with her flat-out hustle. She’s solid on first ball contact too and plays tons of energy and emotion. McKenna Garr L Northern Lights 16-1: We love the way Garr takes care of the back row. She’s a steady libero who is a money-passer and defender. She does a fine job of picking up cross court shots and covering tips.

There was so much to digest – including a fanatical Day 4 four finish – from the 15 Open division at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. It saw Skyline 15 Royal narrowly sweep Mintonette Sports m.51 in the championship showdown in a rematch from the AAU 15 Open featuring our top two teams in the country. Picking vballrecruiter.com’s All-Tournament Team is the last item of business in terms of our immediate coverage of the age group. This is not to be confused with the honors awarded by USAV itself at the conclusion of the championship match. These picks are made from our observations and our observations alone. It would be easy to add more to each position or even include honorable mentions, but that’s something we do at the end of the year with our Club All-Americans. As for the All-Tournament Team selections, they are meant to be limited and difficult to make given all the talented players. To narrow the selections, we honored players from the Top 16 finishers, or the teams which advanced as far as the challenge rounds. We want to keep a team element to the award and making the challenge round is a strong indicator of team success. The process does leave amazing players off, even some of the best in the field! But if we were to pick solely based on talent, we could pick the team ahead of time as we know in advance who many of the talented players are competing. Congrats to those named to this year’s vballrecruiter.com 15 Open All-Tournament Team. OUTSIDES Halle Thompson Hou Skyline 15 Royal Layla Hoying Mintonnete Sports m.51 Audrey Flanagan SCVC 15 Roxy Grace Martin Pohaku 15-1 Finley Krystkowiak Wave 15 Brennan Gabby Divita Legacy 15-1 Adidas MIDDLES Keoni Williams Skyline 15 Royal LeVariya Pinder Skyline 15 Royal Lacy Tinnell Hou Skyline 15 Royal Jaycee Mack Wave 15 Brennan Kayla Nwabueze Legacy 15-1 Adidas Brooke Harwood Arizona Storm 15 Thunder RIGHT SIDES Abby Zimmerman SCVC 15 Roxy Taylor Clarke Skyline 15 Royal Bella Lopez Madfrog 15 Green Danielle Whitmire TAV 15 Black (S/RS) SETTERS Sophia Gisslen Team Pineapple 15 Black Blair Thiebaud Hou Skyline 15 Royal Genevieve Harris Academy 15 Diamond Milly McGee SCVC 15 Roxy LIBEROS Emma Cugino Mintonette Sports m.51 Cala Haffner Team Pineapple 15 Black Gabi Rodriguez Madfrog 15 Green Henlee Moszkowicz Hou Skyline 15 Royal

Below, we are happy to present vballrecruiter.com’s 14 Open All-Tournament Team from the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. Covering the division over four days left us with difficult decisions to make when putting together the team. This is not to be confused with the honors awarded by USAV itself at the conclusion of the championship match. These picks are made from our observations and our observations alone. It would be easy to add more to each position or even include honorable mentions, but that’s something we do at the end of the year with our Club All-Americans. As for the All-Tournament Team selections, they are meant to be limited and difficult to make given all the talented players. To narrow the selections, we honored players from the Top 16 finishers, or the teams which advanced as far as the challenge rounds. We want to keep a team element to the award and making the challenge round is a strong indicator of team success. The process does leave amazing players off, even some of the best in the field! But if we were to pick solely based on talent, we could pick the team ahead of time as we know in advance who many of the talented players are competing. Congrats to those named to this year’s vballrecruiter.com 14 Open All-Tournament Team. OUTSIDES Ella Olson Tstreet 14 Carson Janiah Burrage Forza1 14 One Naomi Livings TAV 14 Black Ryan Spencer Skyline 14 Royal Ava Burgess Club V 14 Ren Silver Hanna McGinest Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar MIDDLES Kendall Omoruyi Arizona Storm 14 Thunder Mariah Akinsola TAV 14 Black Megan Hodges Tstreet 14 Carson Cynthia Ockerman Legacy 14-1 Adidas Sitoafa Tausinga Club V 14 Ren Silver Mackenzie Ratcliff Madfrog 14 Green RIGHT SIDES Blake Cussen Absolute 14 Black Simrin Adams Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar Brynn Stephens TAV 14 Black (S/RS) Sophee Peterson TAV 14 Black (S/RS) SETTERS Emmeline Sandgren Absolute 14 Black Ally Fausett Tstreet 14 Carson Sophia Dostic OT 14 Laura Marlie Smith Legacy 14-1 Adidas LIBEROS Cedra Talaga Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar Nafanua Alofipo Club V 14 Ren Silver Pulelehua Laikona Arizona Storm 14 Thunder Dakota Huynh Skyline 14 Royal  

There was no room for teams to let up as Day 4 represented gold bracket time in 15 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. With the top teams in the nation going toe-to-toe for a spot on the medal stand there was no way the action could disappoint. However, there was only room for one on top and that honor went to Skyline 15 Royal, which defeated Mintonette Sports m.51 in the final in a clash between our top two ranked teams in the nation. Below, we highlight our Day 4 Show Stoppers. DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS Finley Krystkowiak OH Wave 15 Brennan: Wave had a great run to the quarterfinals, in part fueled by Krystkowiak’s play on the outside. The 6-2 attacker helped Wave almost complete an upset of Mintonette in the quarterfinals with the way she was blasting balls from sideline to sideline. Sara Snowbarger OH Mintonette Sports m.51: Snowbarger is a key ingredient in Mintonette’s success with her six-rotation contributions. She can swing front and back row and hits at a high contact point with a lively arm. Mallory Matheny S Mintonette Sports m.51: Matheny was a standout running the offense. She does a great job of connecting well with all her hitters and spreading the ball around. Alia Schoonover MB Mintonette Sports m.51: Schoonover brings an offensive identity to the middle. She can get up on the quick or out on the slide and connect well. Lily Rolfes S Arizona Storm 15 Thunder: Rolfes was playing on a bum foot but still had enough grit and determination to help guide her team to a bronze medal. She did well running the offense and getting all her hitters involved. Brooke Harwood MB Arizona Storm 15 Thunder: Harwood brings a punch to the middle. She’s long and runs the slide effectively. Kalli Lipo L Arizona Storm 15 Thunder: Lipo took care of the defensive end. She’s an upbeat, energetic libero who passing well out of serve receive and making a few highlight digs. Madisyn Crnjac OH Arizona Storm 15 Thunder: Crnjac has a heavy arm and can go through blocks. She’s a key part of the attack and a reliable option. Blair Thiebaud S Hou Skyline 15 Royal: Thiebaud is fun to watch direct the attack, especially because of all the weapons around her. She’s a smooth disher with great hands and seldom misses her spots. Jayden Robinson OH Hou Skyline 15 Royal: Robinson is one of those weapons Thiebaud gets to utilize. Robinson jumps out of the gym and has a big arm. Her future is very, very bright. Gabi Divita OH Legacy 15-1 Adidas: Divita is among the standout outsides in the division. She’s lanky and has a whippy arm. She gets up well too and can hit with ease from sideline to sideline. Meredith Martin L Legacy 15-1 Adidas: Martin always brings the defensive intensity and tenacity to the back row. She’s tough to get a ball down on and doesn’t miss her target too often when passing. Layla Austin OH Skyline 15 Royal: Austin has a lively arm and watch out when she connects. The balls shoots off her arm like being launched out of a cannon. Skylar Jackson OH Skyline 15 Royal: Jackson does well on the attack too. She also has the ability to catch one and send it hurtling down to the floor in a hurry.

It was a whirlwind of a day, as the 14 Open division at the USAV Girls Junior Championships crowned anointed a new gold medalist in TAV 14 Black. We wrote about TAV’s dominant performance, including sweeping Arizona Storm 14 Thunder in the final, here. Below, we highlight our Show Stoppers from the final day of action in the division. DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS Naomi Livings OH TAV 14 Black: Livings and her huge arm was delivering booming kills. She’s a walking highlight reel. Mariah Akinsola MB TAV 14 Black: Akinsola was performing at a high level and giving TAV much needed presence in that spot with Nyla Livings sidelined with an injury. She’s a physical hitter and blocker who uses her strength to her advantage. Gentry Barker OH TAV 14 Black: Barker is a six-rotation contributor who plays a key role in the team’s success. She’s a bit undersized but is a fearless outside who can bring the heat. Tessa Larkin OH Arizona Storm 14 Thunder: Larkin was shining in her role as a six-rotation outside. She shoulders a lot of the offense. She’s a strong attacker with a whippy arm. Nylah Bibby OH Arizona Storm 14 Thunder: Bibby also did well in her role as a six-rotation outside. She’s a solid passer and knows how to score against bigger blockers. Pulelehua Laikona L Arizona Storm 14 Thunder: Laikona was among the standout liberos. She’s in command of the back row and hustles around the court making plays. London Merchant OH Madfrog 14 Green: Merchant is an athletic outside with lots of upside and potential. She has a nice arm and was helping power the attack along. Mackenzie Ratcliff MB Madfrog 14 Green: Ratcliff brings a certain dynamic to the front row when she checks in. Defenses must keep track of her as Madfrog will go to her. She gets up well and has a fluid swing. Vanessa Glenn OH Madfrog 14 Green: Glenn is also a six-rotation outside who does a solid job passing and hitting. She’s a bit undersized but can jump and swing well enough to score consistently. Ryan Spencer OH Skyline 14 Royal: Spencer was once more shouldering a load and taking care of business as a six-rotation outside. She’s a strong attacker who hits with pace from corner to corner. Lexi Martin OH Drive Nation 14 Red: Martin is another outside with plenty of upside. She has good size and length and extends well to hit at a high contact point. Hanna McGinest OH Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar: McGinest was a bright spot all tournament for Long Beach and her talents were on display again too. She’s an athletic outside who jumps and swings with ease. Cedra Talaga L Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar: Talaga is that defender who know is going to leave everything she has on the court. That’s exactly what you want from a libero and she also brings a lot of energy and passion. Emma Kingston MB Tstreet 14 Carson: Kingston made herself known in the middle with her blocking and scoring. She’s a strong blocker who forces hitters to change their shots up. She also provides reliable offense. Ally Fausett S Tstreet 14 Carson: Fausett – part of the Class of 2026 – does well directing the attack and moving the ball around. She’s also has height to be an impact at the net with her blocking.

One of the standout aspects that brought immense enjoyment during the last few days of the USAV Girls National Championships for ages 14-15 was the level of competition. The 14 and 15 Open divisions featured loaded fields, but the same could be said for the 14-15 National-Patriot divisions and numerous other teams in attendance. It was truly impressive to witness the incredible talent and skill exhibited by so many young girls who were absolutely dominating the court. Their passion and determination to excel in the sport of volleyball was inspiring and it was a testament to the bright future of the game. Among the teams that caught my attention every time I walked by was Mauloa 15 Green. They stood out with their scrappy and powerful style of play. Their determination and tenacity on the court demanded attention, making them a captivating team to watch. One match that I truly enjoyed watching was the championship match between 1st Alliance 15 Gold and MKE Sting 15 Gold in the 15 National Division. It was awesome to witness the fierce competition on both sides, as the pins swung with fiery intensity. The liberos’ relentless defense and the relentless offensive attacks from both teams added to the excitement. With both teams employing a 5-1 system and their setters playing all the way around, the match offered a unique dynamic that showcased the versatility and skill of the players. The presence of dominant middle blockers creating impactful plays added an extra layer of excitement to the game.  Throughout the day, there were a few players who truly stood out and left a lasting impression. One such player was Olivia Henry, an exceptional outside hitter from ASEVC 15 Premier. Her ability to effortlessly hit over the block showcased her incredible power and skill. Another athlete who caught my attention was Marlee Sivak from MKE Sting 15 Gold. Her fierce swings on the outside were relentless. Two more remarkable athletes that come to mind from the 14s are Corina Barrera, a six-rotation outside hitter from STVA 14 Mizuno, and Kristen Sheehy, a formidable middle blocker from AZ REV 14 Premier. Barrera’s versatility and skills as an outside hitter were truly impressive, as she consistently showcased her ability to contribute in all areas of the game. On the other hand, Sheehy’s imposing presence at the net with her massive blocks made her a force to be reckoned with.  DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS  Lundin Leitch S Surfside 14 Loriann: One word, SPITFIRE. Everytime I watched this squad Leitch was running down balls off the court. She was running a 5-1 and was undersized. That didn’t stop her.  Lillie Duitsman OH Club One AZ 14Platinum: Duitsman is a six-rotation outside who was providing great offense but it was her defense that caught my attention.  Hope Erdman MB Tejas 14 Black Marco: Erdman was taking big swings in the middle and on the right. She brought a ton of fire to her squad.  Corina Barrera OH STVA 14 Mizuno: Barrera, like I mentioned above, was doing it all well. She has a no-fear attitude on the court.  Saniya Reynolds MB HJV 14 ELITE: Reynolds showed so much upside and is someone to keep tabs on as she continues to develop. She was making herself known by getting her hands on lots of balls. Korynn Mayo OH UNITED 14’s Evren: Mayo plays with lots of energy and a high spirit. She has a good arm and is fearless, as she keeps coming at defenses time and time again. Aleigha Zollicoffee MB KC Power 14 Black: While Zollicoffee might not be as tall as some middles, she brings a level of physicality to the court that is impressive. Alexa Espin MB/RS Miami Hype 14N Nekane: Espin is quick off the ground with a quick arm swing that beats defenses on the reg.  Kristen Sheehy MB AZ REV 14 Premier: Sheehy is both a offensive and defensive threat on the court. She can pound balls in the middle.  Lara Matta OH Tampa North 15 Black: Matta is a wirey outside with a nice bounce and swing. She’s a six-rotation threat.  Olivia Henry OH ASEVC 15 Premier: Henry was literally hitting over blocks. And what is truly scary is she is playing up a division.  Piper Batie OH Ozark Juniors 15 Elite: Batie has a big arm and hits with a heavy hand. She smacked a few balls down with authority.  Kaia Ciszewski OH Tstreet 15-Curtis: Ciszewski is a six-rotation outside with strong ball control skills. She sees the court well and has a variety of shots to throw at defenses.  Ashlyn Seay OH Drive Nation 15-Red: Seay was letting loose on balls for impressive kills. She was also steady in serve receive. Macy McAmis L Jupiter Elite 15E: McAmis is a gritty libero who owns the back row. She’s a sound passer and scrappy on defense.  Frankie Jones MB Sunshine 15 Westside: Jones is an athletic middle who moves well. She has a quick leap and nice arm that makes her a scoring threat on in-system passes.  Chloe Garcia S/RS 305 15 Alan: Garcia is an up-and-coming prospect and someone to keep tabs on. She’s an athletic setter who gets to the ball and sets with consistency and accuracy. She also a strong attacker with a solid arm. Kiana Johnson L OJVA 15-1 Gold: Johnson helps hold down serve receive with her consistent passing. She also does well making tough defensive plays. Sadie Snyder OH AZ REV 15 Premier: A go-to on the left, Synder carries a large offensive load. She has a good arm and a strong knack for scoring to help pace the offense. Kelly Valdez L Mauloa 15’s Green Mauloa: Valdez literally was “nails” for passing. She is also quick on her feet and scrappy to boot.  Ava McBride OH/RS Actyve 15-Black JD: McBride is a dynamic attacker. She scores well from the pins. And her line shot is quite impressive.  Simone Searles OH A5 15 Bob: Searles brings a bit of physicality to the lineup. She’s a strong hitter who can unleash big kills at times. Mia Crowley OH/RS TAV Houston 15 Adidas:

Entering the third day of the USAV Girls Junior National Championships, one is immediately immersed in an atmosphere of fierce competition and electric energy. Teams are fighting relentlessly for a spot in the coveted gold bracket which sets up an electric environment. Friday, across all divisions, the level of intensity knew no bounds. From the powerful hitters to the defenders displaying unwavering tenacity, the relentless display of skill and passion made every match thrilling to watch.  In a crossover matchup, WPVC 14 Armour Black faced off against 1United 14N Bill. With both teams leaving it all on the court, the battle was an intense back-and-forth affair. Ultimately, WPVC emerged victorious after a hard-fought three-set match 23-25, 25-17, 15-5. Isabel Incinelli was a major factor in her team’s hard fought win.  In a crossover match between Milwaulkee Sting 15 Gold and Jupiter Elite 15E, libero Cassidy Bruns of Milwaulkee Sting owned the back court with her sensational performance. Her defensive prowess and energy were a joy to watch.  As the day unfolded, surprising upsets occurred, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of the game. Who’s ready for Day 4?!  DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS Jaiden Harris OH Areté 14 Navy Telos: Harris was a lot of fun to watch. She was swinging everywhere with zero fear and coming up big.  Camryn Corso OH 1United 14N Bill: Corso, a six-rotation outside hitter, was swinging well everywhere on the court.  Isabel Incinelli MB WPVC 14 Armour Black: Incinelli is a huge factor on the court. She is a wall defensively at the net while offensively can hammer in the middle.  Lucy Ripley MB FC Elite 14 Navy: This is my first time seeing Ripley play and I was impressed with her court presence in the middle. She is a big swinger for her squad. Kylee Mayes L NORCO Black 14-1: Mayes is a scrappy libero who can read the ball incredibly well. She is also fast with no fear.  Kaelyn Bjorklund S/RS  Northern Lights 14-1: She can set on the move as well and does a nice job of connecting with all her hitters. She also is an offensive weapon in the front row.  Taylor Harrington MB Paramount VBC 14’s: Harrington is an imposing presence at the net and will make teams pay if the pass or set is too tight as she touches everything.  Allyn Hilt OH Surfside 14 Loriann: Hilt was bringing the fire and heat on the outside when I was watching.  Camille Csernik OH TX LEGACY 14 ELITE: Csernik was getting after it with her attack. She has a great jump with a fluid swing.  Makenna Sanders OH Premier Nebraska 14 Black: Sanders has a cannon for an arm. She is fluid and a huge threat on the outside.  Sarah Hickman RS HJV 15 ELITE: Hickman is a big weapon across the front row. She provides a punch with her scoring and blocking. Sydney Clark OH Areté 15 Navy Telos: Clark, an undersized outside hitter, is powerful and fearless. It’s a great combination, as she gets up well too and lets it rip whether front or back row. Emerson Boyd S/RS Areté 15 Navy Telos: Boyd showed what she can bring to a lineup with her setting and hitting abilities. She was delivering with consistent location when setting. Cassidy Bruns  L MKE Sting 15 Gold Sting: Bruns was playing lights out defense. She was literally everywhere on the court.   Ryea Jackson MB Drive Nation 15-Red: Jackson finds ways to score and also comes up with massive blocks.  Jordan Valentine OH 1United 15N Dylan: Valentine is a firecracker on the court. She also brings the heat and is aggressive with her attacks. Ellah Derrer MB Iowa Select 15 Mizuno: Derrer was a wall defensively for her squad. She was touching lots of swings and giving her defenders chances to make plays behind her.  Sophia Towle OH COAST 15-1:  Towle is a good hitter with a good arm and can score consistently. Emerson Jones MB MADFROG 15’S N BLACK: Jones can put up a sound block and give attackers trouble with it. She was also packing a punch offensively.  Makenna Hertless MB STVA 15 Mizuno: Hertless is quick and moves very well. She carries a good arm and proved to be a consistent, reliable scorer when called upon. Jenna Thedford  L HOU STELLAR 15 ELITE: Thedford is a defensive leader. She was getting her hands on a lot of balls and helping keep rallies alive.  Mollie VanDeusen S JJVA 15 Teal: VanDeusen, setting a 5-1, was on point and steady with her play. She was running the offense very well. Britni Silver OH ECJVC 15 National: Silver is one to keep an eye on as she continues to develop. She was taking aggressive swings and showcasing a quick arm that was lighting defenses up. Camille Huff MB LAV 15 National Black: Huff makes an impact on both sides with her scoring and blocking. LK LaMonica S A5 15-2 Victor: LaMonica did well in her roles as the back row setter. She was locating with consistency and making defensive plays as well. She’s a vocal leader too. Lilly Boatner RS TAV 15 Blue: Boatner was taking aggressive swings, putting the heat on her swings and scoring in clutch moments.  Sofia Guerrero-Wilson MB A5 15-Bob: Guerrero-Wilson was giving defenses something to think about with her ability to run the slide effectively. She also has a high reach when attacking in the middle.  Olivia Branum S OP2 15-1: Branum is a fluid, smooth setter who can run tempo on any set.  Chalei Reid OH Mauloa 15’s Green: Reid is an athletic outside who hits a heavy and aggressive ball consistently.

The volleyball world received the rematch between vballrecruiter.com’s top two teams in the country as No. 1 Skyline 15 Royal swept past No. 2 Mintonette Sports m.51 to capture the USAV 15 Open gold medal Saturday in Chicago. It was less than weeks ago when the two sides squared off in Orlando, with Mintonette winning there and claiming the AAU 15 Open championship. As for the final day of 15 Open competition in Chicago, it was lights-out and easily the best volleyball we witnessed all season. Picking the Day 4 All Red Hat Team was no easy task as we present our 10 players below. The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another. DAY 4 ALL RED HAT TEAM Halle Thompson OH Hou Skyline 15 Royal: If this tournament were a video game, Thompson would be the cheat code! The 6-2 high-flying outside established herself as the class of the division. About the only thing she can’t do on the attack is score with a bicycle kick. Other than that, the only way to stop her is to hope she misses her swing. She’s so long and athletic and hits so high and fast that she overwhelms defenses. Layla Hoying OH Mintonette Sports m.51: Hoying’s all-around game was on full display as Mintonette finished with the silver medal. She’s such a strong player physically and is a solid passer and defender out of the back row. And though she’s a bit undersized compared to other outsides in the division, she can get up and send balls straight down without a problem. Keoni Williams MB Skyline 15 Royal: The 6-4 Williams takes over the net like few can. She’s so long and takes up a lot of space with her reach. Even when she’s not touching or blocking balls, she’s still impacting hitters’ swings in order to avoid her. Offensively, she’s a force who can hammer balls over the block at tough-to-defend angles. LeVariya Pinder MB Skyline 15 Royal: Pinder plays outside in high school and you can see in the way she attacks out of the middle. At 6-0, she’s not short but not necessarily tall compared to Williams. Still, Pinder is quick and gets up in a hurry. It allows her to be impactful at the net scoring and blocking. Taylor Clarke RS Skyline 15 Royal: Clarke – part of the Class of 2025 – is a game-changing right side with the way she can score and open up the attack. The dynamic of Skyline’s offense complete changes when she checks in, opening the attack and providing another high-flying option who can go over or around blocks with ease. Willow Weninger RS Pohaku 15-1: We love what Weninger brings to the lineup. She’s a fiery right side who also changes the look of the attack when she’s front row. She’s lanky with a lively arm and is a featured part of the attack who defenses must respect and be ready for. Madison Victoriano S Skyline 15 Royal: All Victoriano does is win! Saturday marked her fourth Open medal as Skyline lifted the championship trophy. She’s a quick setter who moves very well and does a nice job getting her feet to the ball and delivering. She has a soft touch and locates well. Eva Long S Legacy 15-1 Adidas: We love watching Long compete because she’s such a gamer. You can see the intensity she plays with but she also does well playing under control. She does well directing the attack and mixing up her sets and getting all her hitters involved. Emma Cugino L Mintonette Sports m.51: Few defend and patrol the back row like Cugino. She’s a total stud and a defensive stalwart. She’s a high-level passer and defender. She also has a great hands and does very well setting off balls to help keep Mintonette in system. Henlee Moszkowicz L Hou Skyline 15 Royal: Moszkowicz was arguably our favorite player from Day 4 and that’s saying something. Hou Skyline is known for its relentless attack but she was bringing a defensive edge and tenacity to the court. She was making tons of plays keeping rallies alive and standing in against big-swinging hitters.