USAV Jr Nationals 18 Open Gold Medalists – Sunshine 18 LA

We are now at the end of the volleyball season for the seniors of California and we wanted to write a few articles on certain club teams who we think deserve some recognition for their season. USA Volleyball Junior Nationals was just held on April 22-24th in Pheonix, AZ. Let’s take a look at a team who has had a great season so far and just had a fantastic showing at Nationals. Take a bow Sunshine 18 LA…you have earned it.   Anyone who is anyone in the sport knows exactly who Sunshine is. They have been one of the premier volleyball clubs in the nation for a while now. Last year, this talented bunch won the 17 Open championship and were looking to do something that I cannot recall as happened in the history of the sport. They were looking to go back to back in being the best team in the country two years in a row. Their 18’s LA team just competed at USA Nationals and put on a show to end their junior career.   Sunshine had an amazing 63-4 overall record on the year and are ranked as the best team in the nation according to AES results. They went into the Open Division of the Girls 18’s Nationals as the 2nd overall seed amongst 48 of the best teams in the entire nation. They went a perfect 9-0 in matches and only dropped one individual set (18-1) all throughout the tournament. 18 LA played phenomenal as they captured the USA Volleyball Girls 18 Open Gold Medal.   Even though we can write about each and every athlete that contributed to their success, I am only going to cover a few players that stood out while I was watching. Let’s meet a few of them. [player_tooltip player_id="159522" first="Kelly" last="Belardi"] [2022] 5-9 Setter (HS: Marymount/Club: Sunshine/Signed: Stanford) Kelly is currently on our watch list in the 2022 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She starred for Marymount High School and plays club for the famed Sunshine volleyball club. She was surgical as she delivered phenomenal sets to all of her hitters throughout the tourney. Her performance in the championship match versus Madfrog was amazing. She moved the ball around well and did a great job running the 5-1 and setting from the front row. She was able to battle at the net and not give up much space to their attackers. This young lady showed true leadership when they needed it the most at the highest level. I was thoroughly impressed with her location to each position. Stanford is getting a great setter next year and she will definitely add to their arsenal. We are proud of being able to cover her this season and wish her well in college. [player_tooltip player_id="159518" first="Elia" last="Rubin"] [2023] 6-1 Outside (HS: Marymount/Club: Sunshine/Verbal: Stanford) Elia is currently on our watch list in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings and is trending to be named one of the top players in her class once we finish the rankings in a few months. She played for Marymount High School and also club for Sunshine. She is widely known as one of the best players in the country and it was very apparent why when I watched her in the championship match. She is no stranger to accolades or big moments as she is a very decorated player. What stood out to me the most is her composure. She is able to play the game at the highest level possible and she does not shy away from the spotlight at all. She was born to play this game and her offense was almost unstoppable against Madfrog in the championship match. Most will marvel at her offense, but her serve receive and defense is just as top notch. She passed at a very good clip and kept her team in system. She is worth the price of admission for sure as she will undoubtedly be the best volleyball player in the gym more often than not in any tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id="162752" first="Lucia" last="Scalamandre"] [2022] 6-2 Middle/Outside (HS: Oaks Christian/Club: Sunshine/Signed: Princeton) Lucia is currently on our Prep Dig California Watch List for the class of 2022. She played High School volleyball at Oaks Christian and club for Sunshine. This lengthy and strong middle put on a heck of a performance when I watched the championship match. She was a huge force at the net while blocking all locations. She routinely shut down some of the best hitters in the nation all weekend long. Offensively she was running both in front of the setter and behind with slides to perfection. Madfrog had a very hard time slowing her powerful attacks in the finals. The Princeton commit will star next year from the moment she steps on campus. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her perform at such a high level when her team need it the most. Other notable players who stood out were middle [player_tooltip player_id="163271" first="Kennedy" last="Hill"] who was blocking well and ran a fantastic slide and libero [player_tooltip player_id="159525" first="Megan" last="Verbiest"] who was passing nails keeping her team in system. They , along with others, were instrumental in their team’s success. Please help us in congratulating them on an amazing season and the perfect way to end it by calling themselves USA Volleyball 18 Open Gold Medalists.   As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. 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