Opening Day GJNC Recap: 16 Open Results and Standouts

What an opening day for 16 Open at USAV Nationals. This division has given us so many memorable moments over the 2022 season, and we’re currently writing the final chapter of our drama novel in Indianapolis. The first day of 16 Open competition has just wrapped up, and we already have some intriguing storylines and standouts to follow heading into Day 2. Before we look ahead, though, let’s briefly recap some of Friday’s action.   New Names at the Top You can never expect USAV Nationals to go all chalk. In other words, not all the #1 pool seeds are going to remain at the top once pool play is complete. Friday’s results are a good indicator that we could have some parity here in Indianapolis. The drama is immediately evident in Pool 1, where some hungry challengers consistently pushed first-overall 16 Open seed Dynasty 16 Black. One such challenger was OT 16 O Roberto, a team that crossed paths with Dynasty more than once during qualifier season. OTVA rallied from a rocky first set to win the next two stanzas and take down Dynasty to kick things off at GJNC. However, the big breakout team after a day in Pool 1 is probably TAV 16 Black. This talented Texas squad finished Friday at 3-0 after wins over Rockwood Thunder, Colorado Juniors, and that same Dynasty squad mentioned earlier. It was an unblemished run that certainly had no shortage of tense moments, but the leadership of 16 Black outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="142201" first="Jadyn" last="Livings"] was a huge factor in lifting TAV to the forefront of Pool 1. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Whew, what a match.<a href="https://x.com/TAVVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TAVVolleyball</a> 16 Black wins a three-set thriller in extra points over Dynasty. That’s a great way to lead us into the continuation of opening pools tomorrow at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/aOdCpEJu7M">pic.x.com/aOdCpEJu7M</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542942406538035200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami is another team that earned a 3-0 Friday record from outside the #1 pool seed. This is far from shocking, of course, as 16-1 Tsunami has been in championship contention at just about every venue it has visited. We saw [player_tooltip player_id="107423" first="Alivia" last="Skidmore"] step up for this team throughout the morning, and [player_tooltip player_id="107399" first="Julia" last="Hunt"] is still as dominant as ever. This could be the start of a big GJNC run for NKYVC. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A lot of eyes on this 16 Open contest between <a href="https://x.com/NKYVC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NKYVC</a> and <a href="https://x.com/MADFROGVBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MADFROGVBALL</a>. Plenty of 2024 talent on both sides that we’ll surely talk about throughout the weekend. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/fOnBCa6KaK">pic.x.com/fOnBCa6KaK</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542928357138092035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   The Mixing Bowl Time to address the "mixing bowl" pools--groups that produced a variety of results and have no clear leader after opening day. There is no 16 Open pool that embodies the mixing bowl better than Pool 6. No team in this pack emerged from Friday’s matches without a win or a loss. Triangle, Mizuno Long Beach, and Vision all sit at 2-1 overall and will be vying for separation on Saturday. Of course, Pool 6’s medley of 1-2 teams is not in bad shape given the circumstances. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A three-set battle goes to <a href="https://x.com/VisionVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VisionVBC</a> 16 Gold on Court 32! Taylor Williams comes up clutch again. So many tight contests and upsets to discuss in 16 Open, and we’re just getting started at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ZfKHqzqXMM">pic.x.com/ZfKHqzqXMM</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542882552746221569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Pool 3 also had a wild day with WAVE 16-Brennan, Arizona Storm 16 Thunder, Skyline 16 Royal, and Gainesville Juniors 16 Black all securing 2-1 records to kick off the tournament. What a quartet. Pin-hitting talent is particularly strong in this pool, and I imagine we’ll have some standouts to talk about during post-event coverage. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Brooklyn Tealer has been absolutely teeing off for Gainesville Jrs. this morning. The Class of 2024 outside hitter is already committed to play in the Big Ten with <a href="https://x.com/uscwomensvolley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uscwomensvolley</a>. (There, I said it!) <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/TKBmirWa70">pic.x.com/TKBmirWa70</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542869467381768192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Miscellaneous Shoutouts Let’s leave you with a few other points to keep in mind as we move forward to Saturday. 16 Open’s #2 overall seed looked nearly untouchable in its first three matches. A5 Mizuno 16-Gabe has dazzled us all year with an incredibly physical frontcourt, and those players showed up and dominated Friday’s pools. [player_tooltip player_id="201006" first="Mia" last="Hood"] was especially effective in the middle, while Hannah Benjamin took care of the team’s tough swings on the outside. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Another dominant showing for <a href="https://x.com/a5volleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@a5volleyball</a> 16-Gabe! 2-0 start for the second-overall seed in 16 Open. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/88NBb7Bfff">pic.x.com/88NBb7Bfff</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542902344475623425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   While we’re talking about teams getting out to hot starts, watch out for Metro 16 Travel. That outside hitter duo of [player_tooltip player_id="180288" first="Emerson" last="Sellman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="181296" first="Macaria" last="Spears"] remains extraordinary. Finally, I want to mention that I’ve still had some new scouting opportunities here at GJNC, even as we reach the end of the season. This was my first in-person look at OJVA 16-1 Gold, which got some good production from right-side hitter Amber Walker. Seal Beach 16-Black is another new team for me, and [player_tooltip player_id="161767" first="Haylee" last="LaFontaine"] had a persistent impact on that group with her quick arm and wicked jump spin serve.