Previewing the 2024 18U Junior National Championship

There are 11 DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) teams competing in the 18U Junior National Championships. Below is a preview of how they got there and the players to watch. Most of the players have already committed but there are a few diamonds out there that shine pretty brightly.   Open Division   Metro   How They Earned Their Bid: For the third consecutive season Metro 18 won the Northeast Qualifier. This earned them a place in the Open bid. They also qualified for the gold bracket in all five qualifiers they played in. They recently finished 11th in the Under Armor 18U National Championships as a warmup to the Baltimore event.   Players to Watch: Two big losses from the team who decided to enroll in college early were [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'] (Ohio State) and [player_tooltip player_id='180295' first='Ryla' last='Jones'] (Pittsburgh). Metro added [player_tooltip player_id='181300' first='Alexis' last='Ewing'] (Penn State) to the roster to fill the left side position. She joins holdovers [player_tooltip player_id='181297' first='Lameen' last='Mambu'] (Georgia Tech) and [player_tooltip player_id='233010' first='Mickhaila' last='Murray'] (Temple) as the primary outside hitters. Both Alexis and Lameen belong to the class of 2025. Mickhaila can also be used as a back row player who can provide an offense at that position.   [player_tooltip player_id='180300' first='Mailinh' last='Godschall'] (Duke) suits up for the libero role. She spends most of her time as an outside hitter in high school, then converts the libero role for club play. [player_tooltip player_id='338991' first='Eve' last='McLaury'] (Brown) appears to have recovered from her hip injury, which limited her high school season.   The two setters [player_tooltip player_id='180281' first='Erin' last='Debiec'] (Colorado State) and [player_tooltip player_id='180283' first='Natalie' last='Nguyen'] (Georgetown) return. Erin at 6'1" can hit from the right side while Natalie at 5'5" is restricted to back row play. They do have the 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='181303' first='Isabelle' last='Bardin'] (Purdue) on the AES roster so perhaps they will use her as a right side or a back up setter. [player_tooltip player_id='309024' first='Caroline' last='Lang'] (Virginia) and [player_tooltip player_id='180289' first='Lilah' last='Stevens'] (Navy) can also be used as right sides.   Expected to plug up the middle are [player_tooltip player_id='180296' first='Madison' last='Bowser'] (Vanderbilt), [player_tooltip player_id='235284' first='Caitlin' last='Johnson'] (Santa Clara) and [player_tooltip player_id='180297' first='Rori' last='Gray'] (Louisiana Tech).   This is a young team with a number of 2025s on the roster. All the players on the roster, even the 2025s are committed so no shining diamonds here.   National Division   Columbia Volleyball Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/20240303_175738.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-516834" style="width:404px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Richie PePenito provided by parent</figcaption></figure>   How They Earned Their Bid: During the Chesapeake Regionals they took first place. They are the number two 18U Chesapeake Region team according to the USAV ranking, falling just below Metro. Recently, Columbia played in the Under Armour 18 under National Championships and took 51st out of 62 teams playing in Premier. They also finished 28th in the Northeast Qualifier USA Division. At the Capitol Hill Classic Columbia finished an impressive third place in the 18 Open.   Players to Watch: They have one of the top setters in the Chesapeake region in [player_tooltip player_id='235746' first='MacKenzie' last='Calhoun'] (Lafayette). She ranks as the fourth best setter in the class of 2024. The back row is set with [player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito'] (Towson) and [player_tooltip player_id='517927' first='Neve' last='Norris'] (Towson). Neve hit outside for her high school team so she could provide some back row offense.   Two more future college teammates [player_tooltip player_id='517924' first='Rayah' last='Howell'] (Maryland Eastern Shore) and [player_tooltip player_id='399506' first='Jocelyn' last='Rogers'] (Maryland Eastern Shore) defend the middle. Another Maryland Eastern Shore commit Jaelyn Stewart attacks from the left side. A smaller outside [player_tooltip player_id='517934' first='Selah' last='Brashear'] (Morgan State) also hits outside.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: Left side [player_tooltip player_id='517929' first='Abena' last='Asomani'] and right side [player_tooltip player_id='517932' first='Valerie' last='Ashamu'] are worth the watch. Abena stands 5'11" and Valerie 5'10". They bring some offense to the court.   Maryland Jrs   How They Earned Their Bid: They lost to Columbia Volleyball Academy in the finals of the Chesapeake Regionals, earning an American bid, A reallocation from the Bayou Region bumped them up to the National Division. In other tournaments Juniors finished in fifth in the Ohio Valley Qualifier in the Liberty Division and fifth in the Under Armor 18 National Championship in the Classic Division. In the Northeast qualifier they finished 19th in the USA Division.   Players to Watch: This team has some offensive firepower. Left side [player_tooltip player_id='517498' first='Ziqing' last='Zhou'] is the key to this offense. At 5'10" she has a vertical that can rise to 10 feet. She hammers balls from the back and front row while playing a good defense and creating solid passing from the back row. She has not committed but appears to play in Beijing. Her outside counterpart is the 5'7" [player_tooltip player_id='361569' first='Malani' last='Martin'] (Winston Salem State). She may be considered small for an outside but she is a handful to block.   [player_tooltip player_id='477413' first='Kiara' last='Harmon'] (Pittsburgh Johnstown) can be an offensive force from the left side, but her defense and passing can be inconsistent. Her 6'2" frame also fits in the middle best. Also at 6'2" and fitting in the middle when Kiara goes outside is [player_tooltip player_id='481857' first='Kaley' last='Maclellan']. [player_tooltip player_id='319714' first='Maya' last='Ogbogu'] uses all of her 5'10" height to block from the middle.   Setting duties are shared by [player_tooltip player_id='515534' first='Jocelyn' last='Torres'] and class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='478765' first='Amy' last='Ye']. Sometimes they rotate with their setting duties, both getting an opportunity to set a 5/1. When they run a 6/2 the smaller Jocelyn sets the back row while the 6'0" [player_tooltip player_id='478765' first='Amy' last='Ye'] runs the offense from the front row. Jocelyn is the more experienced setter and gets the call most often if the team struggles.   [player_tooltip player_id='398249' first='Kaiyana' last='Rawlins'] (Coppin State) and [player_tooltip player_id='360605' first='Tiffany' last='Blakely'] (Millersville) share libero time, depending on who is hot. [player_tooltip player_id='395680' first='Kaila' last='Baker'] (New Orleans) normally comes in as a defensive specialist.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: Lett side [player_tooltip player_id='517498' first='Ziqing' last='Zhou'], setters [player_tooltip player_id='515534' first='Jocelyn' last='Torres'] and [player_tooltip player_id='478765' first='Amy' last='Ye']. [player_tooltip player_id='481857' first='Kaley' last='Maclellan'] if you want a middle with height and [player_tooltip player_id='319714' first='Maya' last='Ogbogu'] a smaller middle who can put the ball away.   Beach Elite   How They Earned Their Bid: They won the Old Dominion Regionals. Advance Event Systems (AES) names them the top ranked team in the Old Dominion Region. Other tournaments they have played in include the Virginia Beach Brawl and Clash at the Coast, champions at bothe tournaments. They also took second in the Capitol Hill Classic, losing their only match to Metro. In the Lone Star Classic, they finished 23rd while playing in the USA Division. Most recently they finished 37th out of 40 teams in the Under Armour 18U National Championship Open Division.   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley'] (Michigan State) ranks as the number two libero in the DMV for the class of 2024. She earned the best receiver award at the Capitol Hill Classic. [player_tooltip player_id='242358' first='Megan' last='Stone'] (The Citadel) gives Beach Elite two strong defensive players to keep their team in system or keep rallies alive until their offense can win the point.   [player_tooltip player_id='343017' first='Victoria' last='Tupy'] (Cambell) stands 6'1". All quality teams need a left side that can put the ball away consistently and Victoria does that for Beach Elite. [player_tooltip player_id='246935' first='Avery' last='Hanly'] (Christopher Newport) aligns opposite Victoria and provides a solid offensive attack. [player_tooltip player_id='481962' first='Gabby' last='Taylor'] belongs to the class of 2025 but at 6'0" can provide some height to the right side, or play left side.   Despite standing just 5'11" [player_tooltip player_id='465308' first='Blakely' last='Barnes'] (Berry) stands out as one of the top middle blockers in this area. She earned the best blocker award at Capitol Hill Classic. At 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='343037' first='Grace' last='Slovensky'] (Old Dominion) can share in the setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='326540' first='Ivey' last='Lucas'] while also providing offense on the right side. Ivey belongs to the class of 2025.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: The two class of 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='326540' first='Ivey' last='Lucas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='481962' first='Gabby' last='Taylor'].   American Division   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Renaissance-NE-qualifier.jpg?w=640" alt="" class="wp-image-518687" style="width:380px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: provided by parent</figcaption></figure>   Renaissance Black DC   How They Earned Their Bid: Initially they qualified by finishing fourth in the Chesapeake Regionals to earn a Freedom bid. They upped their status by earning an American bid by winning the Northeastern qualifier, going undefeated in the event. At the Mideast Qualifier they played in the USA Division and finished 49th out of 63 teams. Last year many of these players suited up for Maryland Jrs. This was the first year for this new club and already they are making an impact.   Players to Watch: The setter [player_tooltip player_id='309026' first='Lindsay' last='Kelley'] (Bridgewater) ranks the highest on this team at 31. Normally, she sets a 5/1. Last year she played for Maryland Juniors. She took many of her weapons with her to Renaissance. The most effective weapon in this group is right side [player_tooltip player_id='309025' first='Payton' last='Swinton'] (Coppin State). She swings left handed and plays all six rotations. Not particularly tall for a right side at 5'10".   The 5'11" [player_tooltip player_id='319715' first='Deviana' last='Walker'] (Coppin State) provides the offense from the left side. She also played for Maryland Jrs. For Renaissance she is the primary left side hitter, though she is restricted to three rotations. [player_tooltip player_id='192633' first='Kendall' last='Washington'] normally plays the other outside. She stands small at 5'8" but she contributes to all six rotations.   At 5'6" [player_tooltip player_id='481852' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] (Norfok State) stands out as one of the more powerful outside hitters for Arundel High. For Renaissance she suits up as the libero.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: Although she stands only 5'8" [player_tooltip player_id='192633' first='Kendall' last='Washington'] gets the job done, creating offense from the back and front row.   Virginia Elite   How They Earned Their Bid: They finished in third place in the Chesapeake Regionals to place themselves in the American Division. They are the highest rated Chesapeake Region team. In their most recent tournament Virginia Elite finished 37th in the Under Armour National Championships in the Premier Division. This will be perhaps their first junior national appearance that I can remember. They normally play in Open Qualifiers and fall far short from earning any bids. This year they played in the Northeast Qualifier and finished 23rd out of 26 teams. This is a club that routinely went to AAUs to compete.   Players to Watch: At 6'1" setter [player_tooltip player_id='180284' first='Chloe' last='Hokenson'] (Emerson) sets a 5/1. She also has the power to put the ball down if the pass is close to the net. Outside [player_tooltip player_id='181234' first='Samia' last='Sayd'] came over from Virginia Juniors and switched to right side. Previously, she has only played left side. She plays the back row as effectively as a libero, which can be attributed to her play at the beach. Samia hits the ball well from the back row.   [player_tooltip player_id='180298' first='Alice' last='Holoubek'] (Mary Washington) returns to middle after playing mostly right side her last year of high school. She relies on her intelligence and her 6'3" frame to put up a penetrating block. She also buries quicks well.   On the outside you have the 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='237239' first='Azavia' last='Thomas'] (Noth Carolina - Charlote). The more she plays the better she hits. [player_tooltip player_id='515601' first='Claire' last='Burducea'] (Franklin & Marshall) may not hit the ball as hard but she hits the balls to the empty parts of the court. She also plays six rotations and creates a back row attack. [player_tooltip player_id='181233' first='Aaliyah' last='Howell'] is a smaller outside with a good jump who can find the floor quickly with her attacks.   Virginia Elite has a trio of libero/defensive specialists. [player_tooltip player_id='180301' first='Elle' last='Jubeck'] (Mary Washington) is their primary libero but [player_tooltip player_id='180303' first='Karen' last='Cao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209798' first='Emily' last='Kearney'] (Bucknell) can also get the job done.   Uncommitted Players to Watch - At 6'0" [player_tooltip player_id='181234' first='Samia' last='Sayd'] hits both right and left side. Her back row play is as strong as any libero. At 5'9" [player_tooltip player_id='181233' first='Aaliyah' last='Howell'] is a smaller player who can fly. [player_tooltip player_id='180303' first='Karen' last='Cao'] plays a scrambling defense. Her athleticism allows her to make some amazing plays.   Virginia Jrs   How They Earned Their Bid - They finished fifth in the Chesapeake Regionals but were reallocated a bid from the Heart of America Region. They had a strong season, finishing fourth in their region. In other tournaments they finished fifth in the Ohio Valley Qualifier USA Division and 28th in the Northeast Qualifier USA Division. Early in the season Juniors won the National Harbor tournament but struggled in the Capitol Hill Classic, finishing 31st.   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='244159' first='Jaylyn' last='Simon'] (Iona) normally sets a 5/1. Despite her 5'9" height she can do damage with her attacks in the front row. They have [player_tooltip player_id='206729' first='Megan' last='Phan'] on the roster, who this year set for the 15U team but in previous years has set up. She ranks in the top five for setters in the class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='181230' first='Lydia' last='Darville'] (Virginia State) and [player_tooltip player_id='243772' first='Charizma' last='Lofton'] (Georgia State) successfully provided offense on the right side after their two main left sides from last year departed for other clubs. They also have on the roster [player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier'] who was their big hitter on the 17 team. [player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu'] can play both right and left side. She played mostly right side this year but plays an excellent back row.   The middle is shared by [player_tooltip player_id='515538' first='Rosemary' last='Degn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='413247' first='Madison' last='Smith']. Rosemary brings some height at 6'2" but Madison at 5'9' uses her jump and excellent timing to get her share of blocks. They also added Rowan Johnson (ranked number 22 in our class of 2025) to the roster. She can play both middle and right side.   [player_tooltip player_id='181239' first='Lanie' last='Goff'] (Robert Morris) is the primary libero but [player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham'] plays the back row well. [player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas'] appears on the roster as well. She plays libero for the 17U team.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: The two who played with the team all year are left side [player_tooltip player_id='209789' first='Seliz' last='Aktuglu'] and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham'] are worth the watch. Seliz is a smaller outside who can play six rotations. She also brings a strong serve to the court. Sydney has won a number of awards for her libero play. Both rank within the top 40 for the class of 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='235283' first='Racquel' last='Frazier'] and Rowan Johnson are both strong hitters from the class of 2025 who deserve to be on the radar. [player_tooltip player_id='184604' first='Nia' last='Thomas'] may not get an opportunity to play a lot but she can play the libero position well.   [program_tooltip program_id='450416' first='East' last='Coast Volleyball Club']   How They Earned Their Bid: They earned their bid finishing second in the Old Dominion Regionals. They recently participated in the Under Armor Natonal Championships and finished 21st in the Premier Division. The only qualifier they played in was the Mideast where they finished 17th in the USA.   Players to Watch: The only two players on their roster ranked in the top 150 is setter [player_tooltip player_id='465293' first='Jules' last='Dooren'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='478383' first='Amelia' last='Matson'] (U.S. Coast Guard). Amelia is a smaller left side but she led her Stonebridge team to a VISAA Division III championship. She also was second in the state of Virginia in hitting percentage and fourth in kills, earning her the Division III player of the year award. Julie set First Colonial to a Class 5 State championship and made first team.   Uncommitted Player to Watch: Looking to add a setter take a look at [player_tooltip player_id='465293' first='Jules' last='Dooren']. She is a winner.   Freedom Division   MOJO   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Monlux-twins.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-360607" style="width:164px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: provided by parent</figcaption></figure>   How They Earned Their Bid: This may be a first for MOJO. I don't recall them ever qualifying for Nationals, but I could be wrong. They finished sixth in the Chesapeake Regionals, but that was far enough down to get them a bid. Interesting that Mojo is one of seven Chesapeake teams to qualify for Nationals. They also played in three qualifiers, all in the Liberty Division (Ohio Valley 13th, Northwest 13th and Lone Star 29th).   Players to Watch: Lots of uncommitted players here to take a look at. Their top outside hitter is the 6'1" [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'] (Salisbury). Another taller outside is the 6'0" [player_tooltip player_id='470558' first='Rachel' last='Lenz']. She was the primary hitter for Washington Liberty last year.   The setting position is shared by [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Audrey' last='Monlux'], who at 5'10" brings good height to the position and Caroline Christenson who also stands 5'10", Both set a 5/1 for their high schools. Audrey has a twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='348696' first='Julia' last='Monlux'], who plays middle. Julie also stands 5'10" but also hit outside for her high school.   [player_tooltip player_id='235295' first='Hannah' last='Kotb'] controls the back row and keeps the team in system. She belongs to the Class of 2025. Other class of 2025s who could provide assistance to the roster include middle [player_tooltip player_id='235290' first='Olivia' last='Hatcher'], right side [player_tooltip player_id='470555' first='Ava' last='Barnett'] and left side [player_tooltip player_id='235298' first='Goldie' last='Woods'].   Uncommitted Players to Watch: All the players above except [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'] have committed. With twins [player_tooltip player_id='348696' first='Julia' last='Monlux'] and [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Audrey' last='Monlux'] you could snag both a setter and middle if they are both willing to go to the same school. The challenge would be making sure you could tell them apart so you could put them in the proper position.   American   How They Earned Their Bid: They took an eighth place finish in the Chesapeake Regionals and turned it into a national bid for the Freedom Division. American also won the club division of the Charm City Challenge in Baltimore. They will be playing in the same convention center that the Charm City Challenge was played in so perhaps they can duplicate the effort. They did not play in any Qualifier tournaments other than the local Chesapeake.   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley'] is the only player ranked in the top 150 for the class of 2024. She is a smaller outside at 5'7" who plays six rotations. It is surprising how hard she can hit the ball whether striking the ball from the back row or front row. She led Battlefield to the finals of the Class 6 state championship. Another smaller outside hitter is Caroline Towle at 5'9". She is more a three rotation player with a good serve.   Peyton Hutchens (Salisbury) is a taller middle who blocked a number of balls in the regionals. She will be joining [player_tooltip player_id='233000' first='Maura' last='Fay'], who plays for MOJO at Salisbury. Kendall Jenkins also plays middle but can hit right side. Jacqueline Janecek occupies the libero position.   Claudia Arjona is a setter to watch. I thought she brought nice hands to the position. She was the setter for Battlefield that took the team to the finals of the Class 6 state championship. She belongs to the class of 2025 so there is more development possible. Her younger sister Clara Arjona (2026) was added to the roster as a defensive specialist. A setter from the class of 2027 Juliana Demharter has been added to the AES roster.   Uncommitted Players to Watch: If there was ever a player to take a chance on [player_tooltip player_id='235276' first='Taelin' last='Connolley'] fits that bill. She would make an excellent back row player who could also be used for a back row attack. She hustles for every ball and just loves the sport of volleyball. Her approach jump is 9'4".   River Valley Jrs.   How They Earned Their Bid: They took third in the Old Dominion Regionals. They played in one Qualifier, the Mideast and finished 45th in the USA Division. For an 18 team they only have three players from the Class of 2024. They have six players from the class of 2026. They may not do well in the tournament, but his could be the team to watch.   Players to Watch: The 6'1" left side Class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='452562' first='Sophie' last='Taylor'] might be worth the visit. She won player of the year for Class 1 in the Virginia State playoffs. She also won player of the year for the Mountain Empire District and the Class 1C Region. In her first two years of high school she has accumulated over 1,000 kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='495264' first='Ela' last='Shepherd'] is another player from that class of 2026 who sets for the team. At 5'10" she brings pretty good height to the setter position. She earned a spot on the Class 3 all state team. She finished her high school season with over 200 kills and 400 assists. That is excellent production for the setter position.

There are 11 DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) teams competing in the 18U Junior National Championships. Below is a preview of how they got there and the players to watch. Most of the players have already committed but there are a few diamonds out there that shine pretty brightly.