June is (Finally) Here: Five Questions to Answer this Month
It’s going to be a big month. The long, quiet period of May has finally given way to the action-packed month of June. I always like to kick off a new month with a primer on what you can expect,…
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Continue ReadingIt’s going to be a big month.
The long, quiet period of May has finally given way to the action-packed month of June. I always like to kick off a new month with a primer on what you can expect, and we’re going to address these points with a series of questions.
Hopefully, we’ll have a few answers to these questions once we hit July. Until then, though, consider this to be a first look at the kind of coverage you can expect this month as we hit all the angles and storylines that June offers. It’s a busy time, so be sure to buckle up and join us on the ride.
Time to pose a few questions.
Which teams are peaking at the right time?
You see this question posed in just about any sport as the postseason approaches. Who has saved their best stuff for when a championship is on the line?
In club volleyball, this is a difficult question to answer. We see a huge stretch of qualifiers in April, but things slow down dramatically as we hit a “break” through most of May. You can try to look at those April qualifiers to point out a few squads that are on the rise. Even still, it’s a long way from April to June. This has us hunting down every pre-national event we can find, including Prep Dig Circuit events like the Gauntlet in Milwaukee or the Finale in Detroit.
Who comes out on top at the Prep Dig Finale?
What a perfect transition.
After wrapping up the Prep Dig Gauntlet in Milwaukee last weekend, we can now set our sights on the circuit finale in Detroit. And, spoiler alert: I’ll be there.
I’d expect to see some familiar faces from late April’s Prep Dig Open in Cleveland when we move over to Michigan. At the Open, I saw a great display of all the talent-rich clubs nestled in the Great Lakes region. Legacy, Mintonette, AVC, and L2 are just a few of the clubs I’m excited to keep tabs on as we reach the end of the 2022 season. When our Finale schedule is published, watch out for some preview content.
Which states or regions have the most success at Nationals?
Regional dominance has been a big discussion topic throughout the 2022 season. Certain cities, states, and regions have continued to assert themselves from the moment things kicked off in January.
Of course, we’ll have to keep an eye on some of the usual suspects. Texas and California are still bringing their best in 2022. At the same time, though, other spots on the map are having particularly strong years and will be a force across many GJNC divisions. Kansas City has firmly claimed its place as a club volleyball hotspot for years to come. The Upper Midwest will have a say in the Nationals race, as will the rapidly emerging teams from the Southeast.
Who will be our newest breakout players?
If a player could pick a time to have a breakthrough performance, there’s no better time to make it happen than June.
Stock risers and breakout players are always a major theme of our event coverage. That won’t change this month, even at end-of-season tournaments. Nationals will invariably bring us plenty of surprises, and someone is going to show a new gear with the trophy up for grabs.
When do the 2024 commits start rolling in?
Aside from the start of Nationals at the end of the month, the biggest date in June falls right in the middle of the calendar. The open contact period between colleges and the Class of 2024 begins on June 15th.
It’s a date that comes with a mixture of excitement and anxiety for both parties, and we certainly won’t be expecting any commitments right as the clock strikes midnight. Not all of our 2024 recruiting questions will be answered this month. That’s okay.
We’ve spent a lot of time this year covering this talent-rich class, and we’re thrilled to keep covering this group as college pledges start to roll in. It’s safe to say we’ll have even more 2024 content in the lead-up to the big day.