GJNC Preview: 15 National and USA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are continuing our preview of the USAV Girls Junior Nationals set to start in Las Vegas soon! Today we focus on the teams from Missouri who will compete in the National and USA divisions. The National bids come from in-region competition, typically a bid tournament or [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League depending on which region you compete in. USA bids come from qualifier tournaments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">15 National</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HPSTL 15 Orange</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HPSTL has been busy with a heavy schedule, but it proved fruitful by finishing 3rd in the Sunshine Classic to earn a USA bid. They would move to the National division after two teams secured Open bids. They boast a 46-25 record as listed in AES. [player_tooltip player_id='485600' first='Madelyn' last='Schaefer'] is a pin who cracked our rankings last month and can make things happen on the pin. She provides a good 1-2 combo with middle [player_tooltip player_id='549463' first='Emory' last='Freesmeier']. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='485616' first='Kaitlyn' last='Ahn'] does a good job of running the show and is smart in her decision-making. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mavs 816 15-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavs earned a trickle-down bid in their region and will play in the National division. They have been a consistent team this club season competing well in a tough region [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] league and grabbing a third-place finish and bid in the USA division at Show Me. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='485619' first='Brecklyn' last='Johnson'], who preps at Lee's Summit has been fun to watch as she dishes the ball to her weapons along the front row. Some of those weapons include [player_tooltip player_id='544686' first='Addison' last='Findley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='544690' first='Laynie' last='White']. 816 features one of the talented middles in the 2027 class, [player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan'], who was impressive for St. Michael's last fall. You won't find much weakness behind that front line with players like Lexie Jett scurrying around the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mavs KC 15-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top Mavs teams in this age group benefited from a strong region by being bumped to the National division. This Mavs team is located on the Kansas side but boasts a handful of Missouri players who play key roles on this team. Late in qualifier season, they earned some top-ten finishes and are equipped to make a run next week. North Kansas City's [player_tooltip player_id='485610' first='Riley' last='Martin'] has a strong skill set and provides options for her team as she's shown she can set and swing. Strong defense runs in the family and [player_tooltip player_id='485632' first='Leighton' last='Benne'] is a player to watch in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">15 USA</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Invasion 15 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Invasion secured the bid earned by their region mates when they advanced to the National division based on their performance in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League. They weren't far from getting a USA bid at Show Me but came up short with a 9th-place finish. [player_tooltip player_id='485574' first='Eva' last='Alexander'], an outside hitter from Oak Grove has produced her share of kills on the left pin. As teams collapse on her, they have found success in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='485631' first='Piper' last='Jackson'] and on the right side with [player_tooltip player_id='544694' first='Caitlin' last='Stegall']. They have many weapons to choose from but things start with the pass and [player_tooltip player_id='544696' first='Katelyn' last='Heidbreder'] has been glue. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->