In our preview and predictions of 14 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago we spoke about the big three of TAV 14 Black, Arizona Storm 14 Thunder and Tstreet 14 Carson. The best way to prevent one of those three from winning the gold medal was for them to take each other out first. Well, that’s going to happen in the quarterfinals, as one of the four showdowns features Arizona Storm facing Tstreet. The sides have only met up once so far, with Arizona Storm defeating Tstreet in the finals of the Red Rock Rave back in March. By not winning its pool, Tstreet dropped in seeding and thus created a situation where one of the two won’t medal. That’s crazy!
Here’s how the quarterfinals stack up:
- TAV v Long Beach
- Drive Nation v Skyline
- Arizona Storm v Tstreet
- Club V v Madfrog
In putting together vballrecruiter.com’s 14s National Rankings this season, I felt like there was very little movement among the top teams in the country. With each update, it felt like the Top 10 hardly shifted. At times, I even questioned myself and if I was missing something? That’s not the case, as the quarterfinals demonstrate.
Here’s where the quarterfinalists check in for our Top 50:
- No. 1 TAV 14 Black
- No. 2 Arizona Storm 14 Thunder
- No. 3 Tstreet 14 Carson
- No. 4 Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar
- No. 5 Madfrog 14 Green
- No. 6 Skyline 14 Royal
- No. 10 Drive Nation 14 Red
- No. 29 Club V 14 Ren Silver
To think the top six teams in the country all reached the final eight is saying something. Drive Nation at No. 10 knocked off No. 7 Forza1 North 14 One in three sets, winning the third 18-16, or else it would have been the top seven! Furthermore, No. 8 OT 14 Laura was kept from reaching the quarterfinals by No. 4 Long Beach, so no shame there. Elevation 14 Molly, at No. 12, was also a win away from the quarters but fell to upstart Club V who was the only team outside the Top 10 to make the final eight.
The top teams have been the top teams for a reason, namely their consistency from tournament to tournament. It led to a somewhat uneventful challenge round, which is usually one of the highlights of nationals. Only two of the eight contests went three sets, which is a low number given the circumstances. We mentioned Drive Nation fending off Forza North. Drive Nation was ahead 12-6 and 14-12 before trailing 16-15. The only other outing to go the distance featured Madfrog getting past Absolute 14 Black. But that one didn’t have nearly the same drama, as Madfrog owned the third set, 15-8.
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DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS
Cedra Talaga L Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar: Rockstar is fitting because Talaga is a defensive rockstar. She’s high-octane and plays with tons of passion and emotion. She also patrols the back row well picking up shots and keeping rallies going.
Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North 14 One: Brock is a hold-it-down outside who has a bright future with her athletic ability. She can get up and unload with her strong arm. She’s the go-to who Forza relies on in the clutch.
Chloe Taylor S/RS Forza1 North 14 One: Taylor – part of the Class of 2028 – was a key piece in Forza almost making the quarterfinals. She’s a two-way player who also adds a bit of height to the front row. She’s a capable scorer and does well putting her hitters in good spots.
Sanai Severloh MB Forza1 North 14 One: Severloh is one to keep tabs on as she grows and develops. She does nice things on the attack and hits with strength.
Mariah Akinsola MB TAV 14 Black: Akinsola was a force at the net! She blasted balls down at, inside or just outside the 10-feet line on the regular. It made her nearly impossible to defend and reason why TAV rolled into the quarterfinals.
Gentry Barker OH TAV 14 Black: Barker was another piece of the attack who defenses struggled to contain. She’s a bit undersized but can bring the heat for sure.
Berkley France OH AZ Sky 14G: AZ Sky did well getting into challenge play but fell to Tstreet to miss out on the gold bracket. France showed no fear on the outside. She’s a bit undersized as well but doesn’t back down and stays aggressive.
Ryan Spencer OH Skyline 14 Royal: Spencer was getting up and ripping balls sideline to sideline. She’s a six-rotation mainstay and featured piece of the attack.
Morgan Meiring OH Elevation 14 Molly: Meiring was launching winners all over. She has a strong arm and can pound balls when she really connects.
Vanessa Glenn OH Madfrog 14 Green: Glenn is an athletic outside who has no issues getting in the air and unleashing on defenses. She’s a quick jumper on top of that, so she’s tough to time up.
Mackenzie Ratcliff MB Madfrog 14 Green: Ratcliff was showcasing her athleticism as well. She too gets up and has no trouble on the attack with her lively arm and ability to hit with pace.
Brooklyn Sippio MB GP 14 Rox: GP was on the cusp of the gold bracket as well but fell in challenge play. Sippio is a rising talent with her length and reach at the net. It allows her to impact both sides of the ball with her scoring and blocking.
