Before getting to the opening day of the USAV 11-13s Girls Junior National Championships, let’s do a brief recap of the AAU National results that took place in Orlando. In 13 Open, A5 13-1 Karen captured the 13 Open title, with Dynasty 13 Black, GP 13 Rox, Legacy 13-1 Adidas, Top Select 13 Elite and Tribe 13 Elite Cardinal rounding out the top 10 (all are here in Dallas). The 13 Premier champion GJ 13 Nicole are also here. In the 12s division, A5 12-1 LA captured the 12 Open title. Boiler Jrs 12-1 Gold, Legacy 12-1 Adidas and Tribe 13 Elite Cardinal rounded out the top 5 (and are here). The 12 Premier champion A5 12-2 Erin is also in Dallas.
With that being said Day 1 in Dallas definitely did not disappoint! Tons of great match-ups, early upsets (which in the end might not mean much but it is still fun to see), and amazing up and coming talent running the courts! And let’s not forget that the 10’s are here too and can we just say UTTER CUTENESS!
In 13 Open we had some big matchups right out of the gate and big wins! Rockwood Thunder 13 Elite defeating A5 13-1 Karen in three games (16-14 in the 3rd) was the match a lot of people were talking about early on. As a result, OT 13 T Tabitha was the only undefeated team in that pool after day 1. In other pools, Dallas Skyline 13 Royal, Tstreet 13-PJ, Excel 13 National Red, and MIZ LB 13 Rockstar are all 3-0 heading into Day 2.
In 12 National only two matches were played so there were multiple 2-0 teams heading into Day 2. And there is a TON of talent in this division. It’s fun to see how much teams have grown since Triple Crown and seeing new faces starting to mature and grow.
In 11 National Madfrog 11N Green is returning the National Championships this season but now playing their age and will definitely be a team to watch out for. But what makes 11 National so fun to watch is the energy and potential of the next generation of stars (and there are PLENTY). And while the talk of the gym was that a massive basketball star was in attendance I will say I had more fun watching, supporting, and capturing this amazing group of athletes.
Jenna Barnes OH A5 12-1 LA: Barnes has a whip of an arm and explodes well on the outside.
Lochlyn Aldridge MB EXCEL 12 National Red: Aldridge explodes quickly in the middle and turns the ball well.
Leighton Butters S Arizona Storm 12 Thunder: Butters quite possibly might have the best name for a setter as in she sets “butter” to her hitters consistently.
Story Nixon S Boiler Jrs 121E Gold: Nixon runs a 5-1 on her squad well. She is smart and savvy with hands of gold.
Emily Shabalina L COAST 12-1: Shabalina brings a lot of energy and make big plays in the backcourt consistently.
Kaeley Johnston S Academy 12 National: Johnston, a 2032, is full of energy and smart as a whip on the court. She dishes her hitters well.
Sophia Morris S/RS MAVS KC 12-1: Morris is a feisty, smart setter who not only hustles everywhere but also dishes her hitters well.
Claire Kaemming OH FH 12 Ikaika-Annette S: Kaemming did a great job on the court where ever she was. She was attacking well and holding down the back court defensively.
Layla Ljajcaj MB Legacy 12-1 ADIDAS: Ljajcaj is a middle you need slow down or she will control the net. She can hit with a vengeance.
Molly Hickey S Legacy 12-1 ADIDAS: Hickey is a very smooth and strong setter. She runs her offense well.
***
Zofia Shockley OH SA Juniors 12 Adidas: Shockley is explosive and energetic on the outside.
Saydee Peterson S/RS TAV 12 Black: Peterson, TAV stars Sydnee and Sophee younger sister, is an athlete with a soft touch.
Bella Rupe OH/S FSJ 12 National: Rupe caught my eye when she was swinging with no fear in the front row and then set her squad well.
Emma Bates OH PVA 12 ELITE: Bates was firing away on the court when I was watching. She can crank around blocks with ease.
Macurdy Harden OH A5 13-1 Karen: Harden is part of a 1-2 outside punch on her squad. She is a ball control outside who can unleash on the ball at will.
Kari Knotts OH A5 13-1 Karen: Knotts, the other half of the 1-2 punch, is another level outside. She hits over blocks with ease and at will.
Lana Bakrac RS Rockwood Thunder 13 Elite: Bakrac, a lefty right side, can crack on the ball and is a huge threat offensively.
Brynli Burgess L Dallas Skyline 13 Royal: Burgess is a calm, steady, and explosive libero who makes her presence known on the court. She is a huge scraper.
Kylie Winn L Houston Skyline 13 Royal: Winn caught my eye with her speed defensively. She was lights out fast in the back court.
Eva Bower OH ID Crush 13 Bower: Bower, a lefty, is smooth on the pins. She hits a mean line on the outside that is highly effective.
***
Peyton Smith-Johnson OH MADFROG 13’S N GREEN: Smith-Johnson is one to keep tabs on. She is a high flying outside who has a ton of physicality.
Kaelyn Easton S Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Easton is a 5-1 setter who dishes with the best of them. She is a team leader who connects well with her hitters.
Lexi Coleman OH Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: When you watch Coleman swing you see so much power and authority on the ball. She is a definite threat everywhere on the court.
Mikayla Matuszko OH Tribe 13 Elite Cardinal: Matuszko is continuing to grow on the outside. She has a very high reach and can hit over or through blocks with ease.
Tiana Fortuin MB Arizona Storm 12 Thunder: Fortuin was doing really well defensively at the net. She has a knack for blocking.
Liberty Badorek MB Tstreet 13-PJ: Badorek is a huge threat both defensively and offensively at the net.
Emani Clifton RS DYNASTY 13 Black: Clifton, a lefty, can swing with the best of them. She brings alot of heat when attacking.
Lily Vandeweghe MB MIZ LB 13 Rockstar: Vandeweghe is another middle blocker who hits around blocks with ease and closes the net well.
Mary-Christine Crutcher OH EXCEL 13 National Red: Another 1-2 outside hitter tag team includes Crutcher and Lincoln. “MC” is aggressive offensively and defensively. She terminates at will.
Skye Lincoln OH EXCEL 13 National Red: Lincoln is the 2nd part of this outside hitter tag team. She can fly on the outside and when she connects, watch out.
***
Alli Keel OH Circle City 13 Purple: Keel was firing away on the net consistently and effectively. She can definitely bring the heat.
Kaya Young MB Metro 13 Travel: Young is a force at the net defensively and offensively. She is physically strong and someone to watch evolve in the middle.
Jenysis Solomua Dakine S/RS DaKine Warriors 13 Surf 1: Solomua is a two-way threat. She dishes with power in the back row and hits with aggression in the front row.
Ivy Kirkconnell OH Ozark Juniors 13 Elite: Kirkconnell has a huge upside. She is long, athletic and one to keep tabs on. When she connects on the outside she brings the heat.
