Day 4 meant GJNC CHAMPIONSHIP DAY in Dallas! And before we breakdown the 13 Open and 12 National finals here are some fun facts about athletes in the finals. In 13 Open, A5 is the defending champion from last season’s 12 National match. But did you know A5 actually took the silver in the 11’s season? Also, in regards to A5, outside hitter Macurdy Harden was a part of the inaugural Red Hat Games Middle School championship team, the Cowgirl Crushers, in December. Her teammate on that squad was Skyline 13 Royal outside hitter Julianna Godbey. And focusing on Skyline, MacKenzie Carr also played at the inaugural RHG. And more from Skyline includes Carr and teammate Kendall Hill winning the 12 American Gold medal last season with Drive Nation. Also in the 11’s season Godbey and Kennedy Jefferson were a part of the Madfrog 11 Green squad that won the 11 National title over A5. So tons of experience on the court in the finals!
That being said, let’s talk about the 13 Open Finals. Both squads had to overcome tough semifinals matchups. Skyline defeated Legacy 25-22, 25-19 while A5 defeated Mizuno Long Beach 13 Rockstar 25-16, 25-15. Out of the gate Skyline started quickly and scored early points behind solid defense from libero Brynli Burgess and big kills from outside hitter Alexis Elsey. A5 came back swinging which was led by outside hitter Kari Knotts. A5 middles Madison Middleton and Milan Tallman came in clutch for the squad both offensively and defensively. And despite being down most the game, A5 ended up winning 25-23. The second game had A5 on top from the jump. Outside hitter Macurdy Harden, setter Sophie Holt (2030), setter Olivia Hayden, libero Brooklyn Howard all shined. On the other side of the net Skyline never was out but definitely struggled in a few areas. Middle blockers MacKenzie Carriddle and Kendall Hill, setter Kennedy Jefferson (2030) and outside hitter Julianna Godbey (2030) played well. But in the end A5 ran away with the title, 25-23, 25-20.
In 12 National, Skyline 12 Royal squared off against Tribe 12 Elite Cardinal. In the division to get to the finals both teams had to upset a ton of great squads! Skyline took out Mizuno Long Beach 12 Rockstar 27-25, 25-14 and then A5 12-1 Lori 25-13, 25-18 in the morning. Tribe knocked out Excel 12 Red 25-19, 25-11 and then defeated Legacy 12-1 Adidas 14-25, 25-16, 15-12. The Skyline vs Tribe finals only featured one athlete that played in the 11 National finals last season which was Skyline libero Hayden Leavitt. That being said, this match went back and forth the entire time. Tribe jumped on Skyline from the beginning and captured game one 25-18. Tribe outside hitter Perla Antuchas did a great job leading her team. Game two flipped back to Skyline who ended up winning. Aniston Barnett was blocking really well on the right and was able to shut down the Tribe outside hitters. Also, setter/right side hitter Olivia Rylee and outside hitter Alexis Walker starred for Skyline. Skyline won the game 25-20. In game three Tribe found themselves leading from the beginning. Tribe outside Luiza Queiroz started to really catch fire in this game along with middle blocker Kendall Fugate. And in the end Tribe won the 12 National title 25-18, 20-25, 15-12.
Here are the other divisions’ results. Congrats to all!!
13 National: Circle City 13 Purple defeated GJ 13 Nicole 25-16, 16-25, 15-12
13 USA: GVA/Mizuno 131u White defeated Madfrog 13’s N Black 25-19, 23-25, 15-`12
13 Liberty: Madfrog 13’s N White defeated Club One AZ 13Platinum 25-18, 25-23
13 American: Gulfside 13U Prime defeated SG Elite 13 Roshambo 25-22, 25-19
13 Patriot: Aspire 13 Premier defeated PCVC 13-1 25-17, 25-16
12 USA: WPVC 12 Armour Black defeated SG Elite 12 Roshambo 27-25, 11-25, 15-12
12 American: NorCal 12-1 Black defeated AZ REV 12 Premier 25-20, 25-21
12 Patriot: Texas United 12Red defeated FORZA1 12 ONE 25-12, 25-19
11 National: Madfrog 11’s N Green defeated Dynasty 11 Black 25-18, 18-25, 15-9
10 Patriot: 1United 10N Blue defeated Madfrog 10’s N Green 17-25, 25-23, 15-12
