GJNC: Previewing Day 3, 15 Open Gold Pools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day three is always an exciting one where the cream has risen to top, and then theres still more separating from there.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/day-2-gjnc-15-open-brings-out-new-names-to-know/" type="link" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/06/day-2-gjnc-15-open-brings-out-new-names-to-know/">Day 2 GJNC 15 Open Brings Out New Names To Know</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are at the top 24 with teams now separated into eight pools of three where they will play a round robin looking to be the top two out of the pool.&nbsp; From there, the top two teams will have a challenge match going from 16 teams to the final eight teams to battle it out for a national championship on Sunday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What are we looking for?&nbsp; I have some thoughts…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1000430,"width":"436px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/06/RG1A4639.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1000430" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:436px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Peyton Smith-Johnson </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Who Can Take Down Texas? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the top eight seeded teams heading into day three gold pools are from Texas.&nbsp; That's Madfrog 15N Green, Dal Skyline 15 Royal-Ryan, H Skyline 15 Royal, and AJV 15 Adidas.&nbsp; The athleticism and physicality of these teams are just different.&nbsp; Madfrog was real impressive when I saw them today where they seem to never be out of system with the type of swings they have on the third contact. Peyton Smith-Johnson was extremely terminal for this squad who went 5-0 in pool play. AJV 15 adidas also went 5-0 in pool play without dropping a set.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The "Leg-a-cy" Double? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I remember covering the GJNC 15s Division in Chicago which the final was Dallas Skyline vs. Mintonette with Dallas Skyline taking home the title.&nbsp; It was a week before at AAU Nationals that Mintonette took down Dallas Skyline to grab the 15 Open AAU title.&nbsp; They didn't meet in the final, but Legacy 15 Adidas had to face A5 15 Kelly in the 15 Open AAU semifinals a few days ago coming out on top 15-12 in set three before going on to win the title.&nbsp; Legacy has been on an absolute tear the past week.&nbsp; They started AAU's, Saturday June 20 and concluded with a championship on June 24, going 11-0. So far after two days in Indy they are 5-0, just dropping one set.&nbsp; Outsiders could say they might be tired, they have played a lot, but these kids are 15 years old playing volleyball with their friends, traveling the country, and winning..&nbsp; When the parents chant “Leg-a-cy”, you know their closing in on the next win.&nbsp; Their entire club has dominated June.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Hometown Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Circle City 15 Purple went 4-1 in pool play before running into KC Power 15-1.&nbsp; They always bring clean ball control followed by a balanced attack.&nbsp; Honor Durham runs quite the offense as a setter, leading them into day three gold pools where they will face AJV 15 addias and PCVC out of Southern California.&nbsp; Another local team to watch is Boiler Juniors 15O Gold.&nbsp; They were impressive in pool play going 4-1 with Gia Stokes leading the way from the outside. They have a tough task ahead of them on&nbsp; Saturday with A5 and Houston Skyline 15 Royal in their pool.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1000431,"width":"477px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/06/RG1A4729.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1000431" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:477px;height:auto"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Execution of KC Power 15-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched the KC Power vs. Circle City match today and I was amazed at the level of execution of KC Power.&nbsp; The ball doesn't go very high above the net with the tempo they run.&nbsp; Piper Hudson is the six rotation right side who has quite the left handed swing and can score points from the backrow as well.&nbsp; On the outsides are Kayla Allen and Brylie Milo.&nbsp; They have all the shots and are really smooth when it comes to being able to transition from passing to attacking.&nbsp; They may not be the most physically imposing team compared to some of these teams from Texas, but when you pass the ball and find the floor on the other side of the net they make it a pretty simple game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Dangerous Darkhorses</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Alliance 15 Gold</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1st Alliance 15 Gold is a team who just quietly takes down their opponents.&nbsp; In typically 1st Alliance fashion they know how to pass the ball, they play with a high IQ, serve receive really well, and they don't make many errors.&nbsp; This is seen across all age groups for 1st Alliance which makes them one of the top clubs in the country.&nbsp; Olivia Pora is a lefty right side (which there are quite a few in this 15 Open Division) that teams are going to need to stop.&nbsp; Evelyn Shirk is another lefty who can set and attack on the right side as well.&nbsp; When they are in system - watch out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1000433,"width":"444px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/06/RG1A4714.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1000433" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:444px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alyssa Pasagic of Rockwood Thunder </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The kids from the St. Louis area are playing with house money.&nbsp; They went 0-3, down for the count on day one and today they followed up with two three set wins, both ending in 17-15.&nbsp; They have a new life and nothing to lose.&nbsp; They have quite the duo with right side and middle blocker Samantha Brown and Alyssa Pasagic. They move so well and when the two of them are paired in the middle the opposing attackers are going to think twice when they swing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro 15 Travel </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro seems like a scary team to me with their athleticism, physicality, and have that ability where they can beat anybody.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dynasty 15 Black </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas City teams know how to pass.&nbsp; When it comes to a gold pool at this level, if teams can serve receive cleanly it can off set some of the physicality we see. Dynasty consistently finds their way into gold brackets at every tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1000434,"width":"439px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/06/RG1A4628.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1000434" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:439px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Faith Benson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MKE Sting 15 Gold</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Milwaukee kids, why not? This is a gritty, never say die type of group. They are seeded 24 out of 24 heading into the gold pools tomorrow and for this group - they thrive as the underdog.&nbsp; Outside hitters Faith Benson and Avery Bork just know how to score points in creative ways which really opens up the middle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->