Up next on the second of three weekends for the Pacific Northwest Qualifier is the 15-17s division. The Open fields are smaller than most qualifiers and that will create at-larges in those divisions. Below, we take a look at the competition, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know and predictions.
17 OPEN
Number of Teams: 22
Number of Bids: 2
Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a
Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6):
- 19. Madfrog 17 Green TX
- 31. Co Jrs 17 Kevin CO
- 32. NorCal 17-1 Black CA
- 38. Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar CA
- 40. AJV 17 Adidas TX
- 43. Seal Beach 17 Black CA
5-Star Players to Know:
- Layli Ostovar OH Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar (2026)
4-Star Players to Know:
- Anna Blamires RS Co Jrs 17 Kevin (BYU)
- Erika Sayer MB Co Jrs 17 Kevin
- Charlotte Kelly MB NorCal 17-1 Black (Cal Poly SLO)
Outlook: That there are only two bids available and there are no qualified teams in the field makes for a challenging time. In that scenario clubs must reach the final in order to qualify. The flip side though is there is only one team from our Top 20 participating, so it’s going to open the door for others to earn a bid. While Madfrog is the highest-ranked team, is has shown up-and-down results and will need a consistent effort to get the job done in Spokane. Co Jrs, NorCal, Long Beach, AJV and even Seal Beach are looking to pounce. But at a weekend like this we could see an unranked team surprise.
Prediction: I’m picking NorCal and Madfrog to make the final, with NorCal emerging victorious.
*****
16 OPEN
Number of Teams: 20
Number of Bids: 2
Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a
Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6):
- 21. Forza1 North 16 One CA
- 33. Vision 16 Gold CA
- 35. Co Jrs 16 Kaleena CO
- 37. Academy 16 National CA
- 39. Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar CA
- 40. Coast 16-1 CA
4-Star Players to Know:
- Elle Vandeweghe MB Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar
- Makenna Crosson OH Vision 16 Gold
- Westley Matavao OH Forza1 North 16 One
Outlook: It’s the same situation in 16 Open as in 17 Open. With two bids and no teams having qualified yet, clubs have to make the final. No one is ranked in our Top 20, but the ranked teams are all evenly-matched and that’s going to create back-and-forth results over the course of the three days. It’s just about which teams win at the right time.
Prediction: I’m going with Forza1 North topping Academy National in the final as both secure bids.
*****
15 OPEN
Number of Teams: 12
Number of Bids: 1
Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a
Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (5):
- 14. Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar CA
- 18. Forza1 North 15 One CA
- 19. Vision 15 Gold CA
- 35. Absolute 15 Black CA
- 38. City 15 Gold CA
4-Star Players to Know:
- Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North 15 One
- Hanna McGinest OH Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar
- Cedra Talaga L/DS Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar
- Piper Chylinski S/RS City 15 Gold
Outlook: The 15 Open field is tiny, with just 12 teams. That means only one bid is up for grabs. The only way to get is to finish on top of the four-team gold pool that takes place on Day 3. All the ranked teams competing are from California. One should leave happy unless there is a big-time surprise and an unranked team breaks through.
Prediction: In the end, I think Long Beach finds a way to take first place and with it the only bid.
