18s USAV GJNC Preview

<p>Phoenix, Arizona - Things are heating up in Arizona this weekend as nearly 350 18s teams are preparing to battle it out on the court at the 18s Girls Junior National Championships in the convention center. This year USA Volleyball added the Liberty and Freedom divisions to the tournament. Several teams will be representing the Golden State with over seventy teams from the Northern and Southern California regions present at 18s nationals this year. Which teams from California have a shot at the podium? Here are some of our predictions!</p> <p>Open<br /> There are eight teams from the California regions in the open division and there’’s no question that Sunshine 18 LA (2) is a contender for the open division title. This team has undeniable chemistry and flow and qualified multiple in opens this season. They also finished at the top of the PVL championships a couple of weeks ago. Earlier this season they defeated Madfrog (3) at the SCVA National qualifier finals in three sets. They are led by the superb setting of [player_tooltip player_id="159522" first="Kelly" last="Belardi"] who is headed to Stanford for beach. She has a lot of weapons to choose from including standout outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id="159518" first="Elia" last="Rubin"], who is always so very solid for her team. Another frequent recipient of sets will likely be 6’3” opposite [player_tooltip player_id="159519" first="Kerry" last="Keefe"] who is a huge block and big left arm for Sunshine.</p> <p>National<br /> In the national division, Vision 18-Gold (14) and T-Street 18-Madi/Liz (15) will try to battle to the top of the pack. T-Street’s 6’3” outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id="159957" first="Sophia" last="Reavis"], was an impressive in the SCVA regional qualifier for her team and could be a big factor for them again at nationals. She is a high flying 6-rotation outside that touches over 10’ and hits an impressive line shot. She is committed to UCSB.</p> <p>USA<br /> Several California teams are ranked high going into this tournament with Sunshine 18-Westside (2), Rancho Valley 18-Premier (3), and Dig this!18-Black (4) leading the pack. Sunshine 18-Westside finished at the top of the PVL, finishing in the final tournament only second to their sister team Sunshine 18-LA who is in the open division.</p> <p>Liberty<br /> One of the two new divisions this year, the liberty division, will have Golden West /Tower Zero 18-Asics (2) and San Clemente 18-1 (3) will look to make their mark in the tournament. Both teams secured their spots in the liberty division via winning a qualifier with GW/TZ winning the SCVA Regional Bid Qualifier a few weeks ago and San Clemente securing their bid early by winning the Music City Qualifier. Golden West/Tower Zero will likely look to 6’1” outside hitter, Alexandra Luzina, who is a main go-to hitter for their team. At the SCVA national qualifier, the junior, who is playing up on an 18s team, was often the recipient of sets no matter where she was on the court. A terrific all-around player, she scored points attacking from the front row and the back row. San Clemente 18-1 will also try to make the podium. They have been so steady all season, consistently moving up through the PVL ranks every tournament. They are very consistent and have good team chemistry, winning the Music City Qualifier in January to secure their bid to nationals. For San Clemente, middle blocker, Emma Hintermeyer, could be a key contributor as she is consistent at the net, working hard to be available and to put up a block.</p> <p>American<br /> Club 951-Elite (5) will look to best teams from the Texas and Florida regions as San Antonio Juniors (1), Austin Skyline 18-Royal (3) and High Voltage College Prep (2) received higher seeds. 951-Elite sailed through the American division in the SCVA national qualifier without even dropping a set. They will likely depend on the superlative passing and defense of their libero [player_tooltip player_id="159946" first="Breanna" last="Mitchell"]. She is committed to Cal State Northridge.</p> <p>Freedom<br /> In another new division this year, the freedom division, Coast 18-Rachel (3) received their bid via the SCVA regional qualifier and will likely look to high-flying opposite, Savanah Johnson, to help find ways to score for her team. She was a key contributor at the qualifier for them and is committed to Air Force.</p> <p>Patriot<br /> The patriot division has several teams from California and surpasses the other divisions by far in terms of number of teams from the Golden State. SG Elite 18-Roshambo (1) is currently ranked at the top going into the tournament and will look to stay there. They will be difficult to beat, with several weapons and tons of experience having competed in several open level tournaments this season. Omni 18-Jenny (3) and VVA 18-1 (4) both from the Northern California region will also be contenders for a podium finish.</p>