Clubs to Track at the 2026 Girls Junior National Championship

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">With the 2025-2026 club season coming to a close, Iowa remains proud to be sending 21 clubs to compete against the best of the best on the National stage. Between the 21 clubs, Iowa will have forty-nine teams competing at the GJNC. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although all of these clubs deserve recognition for making it this far, I will be talking about the 8 clubs that you need to check out at the National Championship, along with some of the players that I think will be leading those teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']</strong>- This club is no stranger to the National stage, and this year is no different. The [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] are sending nine teams to nationals, the most teams sent from a single club in Iowa. With their 18R team competing in the Open division, 13R and 11 Black competing in National, 17R and 14R competing in USA, 16-1, 15R, and 12 Black competing in American, and lastly 17-1 competing in Freedom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a02353e02973"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller has played a major role in helping her team secure a bid to the National tournament. The MB from [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 16-1 has set the tone all season long with her fast arm and ability to hit around most blockers. On the defensive side, she is a determined blocker who shows a high level of discipline in her blocking, making it very hard for hitters to get through her. Aside from her abilities, she is an amazing teammate and leader who never fails to keep her teammates going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555788"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a02353e02a1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='555788' first='Kendra' last='Nolton'] is one of those athletes that every program strives to have. The six-rotation OH from [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17R has really made a name for herself, especially this season. She has continued to showcase her high IQ and insane athleticism, consistently finding the open court on every attack. She is also very quick to read her opponents, making her a hard player to get a kill off of. She is definitely going to be a key part of her team's success at the National level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa United</strong>- Although this club is still fairly new, you would never guess it with the way they've been turning heads over the last two years. Although there were some doubts with this club when they first started, they continued to keep their eyes on the prize and push forward and the results show with sending six of their teams to compete. They will be sending 151 to compete in Open, 171 Elite and 161 Timmerman will be in the National division, 181 Elite and 141 Elite will compete in American; and 161 will compete in Freedom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754551"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a027bc803ea6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I feel like you can't talk about United's success without bringing up this athlete. Ehler, the setter/ right-side on Iowa United 151, is a show-stopping player who can truly do it all. Not only does she do an amazing job leading her team as a setter, but she also uses her height and heavy arm as an asset on offense. You can tell she is always striving to better herself and the team around her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489998"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a027bc803f19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> [player_tooltip player_id='489998' first='Belle' last='Seaman'], another setter from Iowa United 171, is a high-IQ player who does an outstanding job with setting her team up for success. She moves the ball around with ease, making it hard for the opposing blockers to read where she's going. Her composure and leadership help to keep her team calm, even in high-pressure situations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex']</strong>- You can never talk about powerhouse clubs without [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex'] being thrown in the mix (I mean, they literally have Power in their name). Although they are sending only four of their teams to compete, I know those teams will make their club proud with their performances. Their 17 Broegan team is one of the only teams from Iowa to compete in the Open division after an astounding performance at the Show Me Qualifier. They also have 13 Allen competing in National, 17 Mendoza in USA, and 16 Nelson competing in American.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Six Pack</strong>- After watching Six Pack's teams throughout the season, I can confidently say this is a club that you don't want to overlook or undermine. The four teams they have competing show a prime example of resilience and grit. They are going to be a club that comes out swinging and will surely make a statement right away. With their 18U and 15U teams competing in the National Division, 14U competing in USA, and 17U competing in Liberty, this club is sure to make some big plays throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887022"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a027bc803f8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'] is a MB from Six Pack 15U, and she is definitely a player you want on your team. Not only because she is a scary presence that you won't want to play against, but also because she is an even better teammate. Sweeney always finds a way to put up a powerful block that most teams struggle to get around. Offensively, she always makes herself available as an option and knows how to finish the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa Select</strong>- Iowa Select is another club that is no stranger to the National stage; they even have a national title under their belt, as well as two national runner-up finishes. They have three teams competing this summer. Their 14 Mizuno and 16 Mizuno teams will compete in the National Division, and the 17 Mizuno team will compete in the USA Division. These three teams have made their club proud this season with their bids and multiple top finishes at various qualifiers. These teams show very strong cohesion, which I believe will take them far at this level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771625"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a027bc803ff7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='771625' first='Chloe' last='Wilkin'] is a RH/ MB on Iowa Select's 16 Mizuno team that has an arm swing like no other. Wilkin has no trouble making her presence known at the net with a wide hitting range, a fast arm, and a dominant block. She is a hitter that her team can always rely on to put the ball away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CIA</strong>- This club will be sending 17 Black and 15 Black teams to compete in the National division, and will have 14 Black competing in the American division. All of these teams are filled with fierce competitors who most definitely bring an intimidation factor to the court. These groups are filled not only with amazing athletic ability but also with ridiculous height, making them very tough to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Platform Elite</strong>- After watching many Iowa teams this season, Platform has to be one of my favorites to watch. Not because they're flashy or make mind-blowing plays, but because they play the calmest, most controlled volleyball I've seen. In situations where most teams might fumble, their teams flourish and excel under pressure. Although they might not be the tallest team, they make up for it with their IQ and outstanding defense. Platform Elite 14 Adidas will be competing in the Liberty division and 17 Adidas as well as 13 Adidas will be competing in the American division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555772"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a027bc804068"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This setter from Platform Elite 17 Adidas is an athlete that I don't think has gotten enough attention this season. She has played a key role in her team's undeniable success so far this season. No matter where she is on the court, she always finds a way to set up her offense for success. Aside from her amazing ball placement, she is also a major contributor with her blocks and refuses to let a ball drop on defense. If you want to see a leader who truly sets the standard, Danielson is the player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DBQ Insanity</strong>- Although this club is only sending their 14-1 team to compete in the American division, I wanted to give them a shout-out for their performances throughout the season. This is a team that no one saw coming, yet they've continued to impress more and more spectators every time they step on the court. For only being 14, they show a strong sense of maturity through their gameplay. I am very excited to watch them perform against the best and see where they place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->