Among the final qualifiers for the 18s is the Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane. Below, we take a look at the teams competing, which ones are nationally-ranked, players to know, as well as offer our predictions.
18 OPEN
Number of Teams: 11
Number of Bids: 2
Previously-Qualified Teams (3): Pohaku 18-1; OJVA 18-1 Gold; Seal Beach 18 Black
Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (2):
- 19. Pohaku 18-1 KS
- 20. NPJ 18 Forefront OR
5-Star Players to Know
- Mak Miller MB Pohaku 18-1
4-Star Players to Know:
- Alexis Haury S NPJ 18 Forefront (Washington)
- Lauren Dreves OH OJVA 18 Gold (Auburn)
3-Star Players to Know:
- Tea Bosanac Dakine Warriors 18 Surf (Colgate)
- Bridget Woodruff Dakine Warriors 18 Surf (Fordham)
- Tessa Hurley Seal Beach 18 Black
- Ava Spachek OH Pohaku 18-1 (Saint Louis)
- Ava Martin S Pohaku 18-1 (San Jose State))
- Alexis Alexander MB Pohaku 18-1 (Arkansas)
- Lauryn Johnson OH NPJ 18 Forefront (Arizona State)
- Hailey Heytvelt MB OJVA 18 Gold (Campbell)
- Elisabeth Levick S OJVA 18 Gold (Old Dominion)
- Halle Reiter L/DS OJVA 18 Gold (Santa Clara)
Outlook: With 11 teams, this weekend’s 18 Open field is the smallest of the season. With it, just two bids are going to be awarded, with the third one going into the at-large pool. Three of the 11 teams have bids already, so two of the remaining eight are guaranteed to join them. It’s a great opportunity for those clubs to join the Open ranks. One team to definitely watch is NPJ. The club was close to qualifying previously and performed well at last month’s Triple Crown tournament. It’s hard not seeing NPJ getting it done this weekend. After that, it’s wide open.
Prediction: I think NPJ not only qualifies in Spokane but comes away with the victory after beating Pohaku in the final. OJVA and Norco 18-1 tie for third, with Norco earning the second available bid.
