The final day of the USAV Girls Junior National Championship was an incredible culmination of the tournament, featuring thrilling displays of passion, heart and athleticism. Although there were moments of heartbreak, each team gave it their all and left everything out on the court.
In the 13 Open final, Legacy 13-1 Adidas faced off against Elevation 13 SJ, with Legacy ultimately emerging victorious in three sets, 23-25, 25-10, 15-12. The match was tense in the first and third sets with a back-and-forth that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Both teams showed incredible skill and determination. In the end, however, Legacy prevailed securing a well-deserved victory.
The 12 National finals were eagerly anticipated, and the match between A5 12-LA and EXCEL 12 National Red did not disappoint. A5 emerged victorious, winning the match in two, 25-23, 25-15. One thing that struck me about this national championship was the sheer amount of talent on display. Many players showcased exceptional skills and athleticism that will undoubtedly make them future stars of the sport. It was truly thrilling to watch such a high level of play and witness the emergence of so many young talents.
The 12 USA finals between Drive Nation 12 Red and GVA/MIZUNO 12U DARK BLUE was an electrifying match. Ultimately, Drive Nation emerged as the winner, securing a hard-fought sweep, 25-16 25-19. The match showcased the incredible skill and determination of both teams, featuring some standout performances from Puerto Rican players renowned for their powerful swings. However, Drive Nation prevailed thanks to their tenacious defense, superb serving and formidable blocking at the net.
There were several other thrilling final results across the divisions. In the 13 National division, Alamo 13 Premier faced off against ARVC 13N1 Adidas and emerged victorious in three, 18-25, 25-23, 15-3. In the 13 USA division, OP2 13-1 claimed a well-deserved win over United 13 Susie in two, 26-24, 25-17.
Meanwhile, in the 13 Liberty division, WAVE 13-Reily defeated SF Tremors 13 Wolverines in a nail-biting three-set match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, 17-25, 25-14, 19-17. The 13 American division saw AVA TX 13 Adidas triumph over SA Xtreme 13U in two, 25-18 25-19, while in the 13 Patriot division, Iowa Power Plex 13u Black secured a hard-fought victory over Rancho Valley 13Premier, 25-27, 25-18, 15-8. Finally, in the 12 American division, LV 12 Team Rox defeated Iowa Select 12 Mizuno in a a two-set match, 25-14 25-13.
So much talent and athleticism coming up through the ranks. It was an honor to witness and cover such an incredible event, and to support the growth of the sport we love.
DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS
Olivia Kitur OH EMV 13 National Black: Kitur is huge on the outside, literally. She is a six-rotation hitter who swings with no fear anywhere.
Peyton Smith-Johnson MB/OH EMV 13 National Black: Smith-Johnson is an upcomer to watch. Another scoring weapon for her squad, she doubles as a wall defensively.
Aubrey Waters OH Gainesville Jrs 13-1: Waters was very reliable with her attacks, getting key kills but rarely making any mistakes.
Ana Sofia Garcia-Cruz MB SF Tremors 13 Wolverines: Garcia-Cruz was undersized in her position but between her athleticism and fire she was blocking and attacking with the best of them.
Kylie Moy MB SF Tremors 13 Wolverines: Moy is quick and moves well side to side. When she connects in the middle she brings the heat.
Quinn Nelson OH Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Nelson was taking smart swings, either tooling the block or exploiting the seam well.
Lexi Coleman OH Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Coleman has a big, strong arm and can hammer kills on the regular.
Ashlyn Pelon L Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Pelon is a defensive force. She makes everything she does look easy and smooth, from passing in serve receive to showing great range in coverage.
Kelsey Green S Elevation 13 S J: A 5-1 setter, Green handled the setting duties efficiently, seemingly making all the right sets at the right time.
Avery Brannon MB/RS Elevation 13 S J: Brannon is a real imposing presence at the net both in the middle on the pin when needed.
Kaedyn Blotzer OH WAVE 13-Reily: Blotzer is a scrappy and undersized outside. She has a knack for hitting the line shot well.
Natalie Rynard S WAVE 13-Reily: Rynard has a great touch and consistently sets a clean ball.
Rylee Hartwell OH UNITED 13’s Susie: Hartwell is an undersized hitter who you knows has to play beach with the shots she was pulling and hops that rivaled any outside hitter out there. Tons of fun to watch.
Cienna Enriquez OH UNITED 13’s Susie: Enriquez is a savvy hitter who had no problem going against the block and continually found the open spots for kills.
Madison Goodrich L UNITED 13’s Susie: Goodrich was passing out of serve receive was sharp and on point. She was also picking up touches and tips well too.
Sloane Rattay OH OP2 13-1: Rattay was tough to slow down. She was displaying nice extension on her swings and hitting at a high contact point.
Jentri Denwalt S/RS OP2 13-1: Denwalt, a 2030, showed a nice touch and consistent release along with being a very reliable scoring option,
Olivia Carter MB OP2 13-1: Carter contributes on both sides of the ball. When in system, she’s always a viable scoring threat. She can also be a menace with her blocking.
Madison McGuire S AVA TX 13 Adidas: McGuire does well guiding the attack. She has a nice release and sets a hittable ball consistently.
Charlie Marsico L AVA TX 13 Adidas: Marsico is a sound passer and a scrappy defender.
Abigail Ibarra MB SA Xtreme 13U: Ibarra is a factor in the middle with her ability to score and block balls. She also moves well laterally.
Sara Gonzalez L Alamo 13 Premier: Gonzalez is a scrappy, energetic libero who goes all out in the back row. She is a lot of fun to watch make plays.
Sydney Whisenton OH/S Alamo 13 Premier: Whisenton brings value with her versatility. She’s a solid setter with lots of upside and more than capable than putting away balls with power.
Charlie Ferguson S/RS ARVC 13N1 Adidas: Ferguson showed good location dishing and had a solid arm when attacking,
Casey Bowen L ARVC 13N1 Adidas: Bowen did a great job picking up all the balls that came her way. Her passes were on target as she held her own.
MacKenzie Carr MB Drive Nation 12-Red: Carr was the definition of a wall in the Finals. Tons of blocks which helped keep the momentum in Drive Nation’s favor.
Jayme Johnson L Drive Nation 12-Red: Johnson was holding down the back row nicely. She was passing soundly out of serve receive and did a good job defending.
Lindsay Stubblefield DS Drive Nation 12-Red: Stubblefield showed great hustle chasing balls down all over. She was also consistent in serve receive.
Anna Aquino Machado MB GVA/MIZUNO 12U Dark Blue: Machado swings with the best of them. She is very active at the net, putting up a good block then transitioning well.
Joyce Hernandez Aponte MB GVA/MIZUNO 12U Dark Blue: Aponte showcased a good, high swing and was able to hit over and through the blockers with ease.
Kari Knotts OH A5 12-LA: Knotts put on quite a show as she helped her team go on a major runs. She was simply too much for the defense to contain.
Olivia Hayden S/RS A5 12-LA: Hayden doubles as a playmaker and an attacker. She’s a strong setter with a nice release and she can also score well across the front.
Madison Middleton MB A5 12-LA: Middeton was a strong scoring presence, coming through often when set. She also was touching her share of balls while blocking.
Mary-Christine Crutcher OH EXCEL 12 National Red: Crutcher jumps well and swings hard. She consistently puts a lot of pressure on the defenders to make plays as she brings the heat.
Skye Lincoln OH EXCEL 12 National Red: Lincoln plays with lots of fire and heart and is relentless on the attack as she just keeps coming at defenses.
Averly Tackitt MB LV 12 Team Rox: Tackitt is very active at the net, putting up a good block then transitioning well.
Jessa Cox OH LV 12 Team Rox: Cox is a six-rotation player with great passing skills. Offensively, she had good swings with pace.
Jaeci Leffel OH/S Iowa Select 12 Mizuno: Back row Leffel was dishing well and putting up a nice ball. Front row, she was a solid threat.
