GJNC Preview: 15 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is almost that time! We will start our USAV Girls Junior National Championship preview with our Missouri teams competing in the 15 Open Division!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HPSTL 15 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HPSTL enters the championships after earning a bid at Windy City with a third-place finish. They are currently ranked 8th in the USA rankings with a 38-11 record in matches utilized by AES. They've had a strong spring finishing in the top ten in every qualifier. As evidenced by the initial 2027 rankings, they are deep in talent and can be a factor on the final day. They have a strong front line led by middle in [player_tooltip player_id='544673' first='Marlee' last='Steiner']. [player_tooltip player_id='544668' first='Madelyn' last='Mannebach'], [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'], Claire Sandstrom, and [player_tooltip player_id='544666' first='Giselle' last='Stoeva'] are featured on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabby' last='Schwoeppe'] is the top-ranked setter in the early rankings and runs the offense well. This team will rely on heavy ball control from players like [player_tooltip player_id='544667' first='Adele' last='Wright'] to keep them in system where they are dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 15 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Show Me Qualifier runner-ups will enter the tournament with a 10th-place ranking in the USA rankings. After decent showings in March qualifiers, they found their stride in April with 2nd-place and 4th-place finishes. Their team features the top-ranked player in Missouri [player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon']. At 6'3", she can do many things well, but this is a match-up problem for most teams they face. She is not alone and the team adds punch on the pins with [player_tooltip player_id='545157' first='Sophia' last='Kaburakis'], [player_tooltip player_id='544677' first='Caroline' last='Tenholder'], and [player_tooltip player_id='512874' first='Olivia' last='Cox']. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='487567' first='Khloe' last='Heberle'] provide a strong back row. Most teams want to be playing their best volleyball heading into the tournament and we saw that with Rockwood in April and the June Prep Dig Gauntlet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 15 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] is based on the Kansas side but boasts some Missouri players. Torri Massengill is a top-ten-ranked player in the state and will lead this team into nationals. KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] captured their bid in their hometown at the Show Me Qualifier. They sit 20th in the USA rankings. They started club season with a bang, finishing 5th at Triple Crown. The thing you have to like about this team heading into Nationals is their consistency of play this year. St. Teresa's product [player_tooltip player_id='544685' first='Aleigha' last='Zollicoffee'] is one of the middles who have contributed to the success of this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PVA 15 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final team with Missouri-featured athletes to grab a spot in the Open division is PVA 15 Elite. They are the third team in this group to deliver at Show Me and leave with a bid. They have an overall 39-26 record listed in AES. After showing, they followed that up with another 5th-place finish at Lone Star. [player_tooltip player_id='472890' first='Jaden' last='Monroe'] from Staley has been strong on the outside for PVA this club season and improved tremendously from January to June. Defense has been a calling card for PVA this spring and [player_tooltip player_id='446327' first='Molly' last='Bokenkroger'] has delivered along with backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='516219' first='Lochlar' last='O'Bleness'] from Pembroke Hill. A player who has a big upside to watch is middle [player_tooltip player_id='485603' first='Charlee' last='Pollard']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->