Vegas Aces 12 REN win 12 USA at Nationals, Hear From the Champs

Kantessa Bryant-Miller June 30, 2025 @ 11:33 AM

Huge Congratulations to Vegas Aces 12 REN!🎉

This talented squad left it all on the court and came out on top—taking 1st place in the 12 USA division at USAV GJNC Nationals! After earning their bid early in the club season, they kept the momentum rolling all the way to the ultimate prize. With thousands of teams across the country chasing a Nationals bid, just getting there is a major feat—but winning it all? That’s next-level.

While these athletes aren’t yet in our usual high school coverage, they absolutely deserve this spotlight. Only a handful of teams in Nevada even earn a bid to Nationals, so for 12 REN to qualify and bring home a title is a huge moment for the entire state.

We’re excited to watch these rising stars grow in the game—and you can bet we’ll be following them closely once they hit the high school scene. Learn more about this amazingly talented team and hear a few words from the players below—

Division: 12 USA

Record (At Nationals): 8-2

Tournament Results

Coaches

Lillie Redmond, Head Coach

Patricia Hardimon, Assistant Coach

Ruben Herrera, Assistant Coach

Cordelia Palepoi, Assistant Coach

Roster

#12

London Flipping #5

Grace Gottschall #4

Jeweleen High #30

Sophia Leone #6

Etivise Paini #3

Lyla Tafeaga #18

Bailey Vidinha #24

In Their Own Words…

Hear From Some of the Champions🏆 Below…

Bailey Vidinha

Getting ready for Nationals was all about putting in the work- tough practices, extra late night reps, and pushing each other to get better every day. Winning Nationals is a dream. We gave it our all, and to come out on top with my team by my side was something I’ll never forget.

Sarai Lavea-Aldridge Sarai Lavea-Aldridge 5'7" | OH/S Unknown | 2031 NV

Coming into this tournament my team knew we were undersized and only had 9 girls to work with. Preparing for this tournament my coaches worked us on the main 3 focuses we needed which are serve receive, serving, and defense. Before every game our coach would remind us that all we needed were those 3 and we would be alright. How it felt winning was honestly amazing and it felt awesome, the past 3 years i have been playing on this 12u team and never made it to nationals until the year. We came in fighting knowing there were teams with girls stronger, bigger, and faster overall but that didn’t stop us. The winning experience was amazing and i think everyone should experience it especially winning with your closest and most trustworthy best friends you could ask for.

Jeweleen (JJ) High

We prepared a few different ways. We went to practice to put in lots of hard work, and strategize. Each rep mattered to us. We went into Nationals with a strong mindset and ready to have fun. The feeling of winning it was something unimaginable. That feeling of the last ball dropping on the opposing team’s side is a feeling you never forget. All the emotions flew in and out of my body. Never can something ever prepare you for this amazing opportunity and memory. The feelings that describe this moment best are relief, joy, and overwhelming excitement. All our hard work had paid off. I’m grateful for my Vegas Aces family and I’d like to thank our coaches, Coach Ruben, Coach Lillie, Coach Cord, Coach Moli, and Coach Patti. – Jeweleen (JJ) High #30