18 Nationals: Missouri/Kansas USA and American Divisions
Great stories within these two divisions of teams putting an ending to their juniors careers. Many will remember their last Junior Nationals for years to come. Here are the teams competing in Columbus, Ohio in the USA and American Divisions.…
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Continue ReadingGreat stories within these two divisions of teams putting an ending to their juniors careers. Many will remember their last Junior Nationals for years to come. Here are the teams competing in Columbus, Ohio in the USA and American Divisions.
18 USA
The USA, along with Open are the two divisions you have to earn a berth through a national qualifier (besides earning an at-large bid). From a qualifier standpoint, the USA is the second toughest division and generally, three bids are awarded depending on the number of teams entered. Quite a few teams had successful qualifying seasons in this division to grab bids. We shared yesterday, Dynasty 18 Black earned a runner-up finish in their first qualifier in USA but moved up to National after PVA moved up to Open.
417 Juniors 18-1
This talented squad earned their bid in their opening qualifier also in Indianapolis. They are loaded and shocked some Open teams at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Their team features many moving on to the next level in the class of 2021 and some committed 2022 players. They had an 11th place finish in the Open division at Northern Lights. Middle Maddy Bushnell Maddy Bushnell 6'3" | MB Willard | 2021 State MO was one of the top players in the class of 2021 in the state of Missouri. She has had a strong club season and she has been able to hold the middle blocker to allow Salma Lewis Salma Lewis 5'8" | OH Carl Junction | 2021 State MO and Jaycee Fixsen Jaycee Fixsen 5'11" | OH Nixa | 2022 State MO to go to work on the left pin. Both are smart hitters with a mix of power and finesse. Sydney Golden Sydney Golden 5'9" | S Nixa | 2022 State MO is one of the top 2022 setters in the state and Kate Owen Kate Owen 5'6" | DS/L Kickapoo | 2021 State MO is a gamer behind the block.
Mizuno Club North 18-1
Club North grabbed their bid in Omaha at Northern Lights with a 3rd place finish. The strong start didn’t carry great momentum into the remainder of the qualifying season, ending with a 9th place finish out of 10 teams at Show Me. They have the personnel to make a run in Ohio. Middles Hannah Graves Hannah Graves 5'10" | MB Park Hill | 2021 State MO and Katie Kasten have been consistent at the net. Graves is one of the better blockers in the state. Recent Virginia State pledge Helena Eubanks Helena Eubanks 5'11" | OH Staley | 2021 State MO has contributed as a new addition to this team. Aly Anderson Aly Anderson 5'9" | OH Platte County | 2021 State MO has been able to do a little of everything for this team. She has seen time as a setter and swinging on the pins and produces wherever she lines up.
Shockwave 18 Adidas Scott
With all the before mentioned movement of bids, Shockwave became a beneficiary of Dynasty moving up to National. After a tough Show Me weekend, it appeared their season was over but local teams Mavs KC and PVA came through to ensure Shockwave was invited to the final dance. They had a strong season and competed well in the qualifiers they journeyed to compete in. Ella Larkin Ella Larkin 5'10" | S Bishop Carroll | 2021 State KS has been a standout for this team. A setter at the next level, she has contributed from the pins all season. Other bright spots have been pin Melody Ukoefreso Melody Ukoefreso 5'10" | OH Wichita East | 2021 State KS , middle Hadley Waldren, and libero Natalie Trigo Natalie Trigo 5'4" | DS/L Andover | 2021 State KS .
Invasion 18 Black
They earned their American bid after a top 3 finish in HOA regionals. They got the call for a USA at-large bid available due to the canceled Pacific Northwest Qualifier. Invasion is a team more than capable of holding their own. Setter Mayson Behney has been a good addition to this team. She has done a good job of setting up hitters like Kendall Boone Kendall Boone 5'10" | OH Lee's Summit | 2021 State MO on the pin and Tamia McClunie in the middle. McClunie has been a good bounce-back story after suffering a knee injury during her last full club season. Aleena Peterson Aleena Peterson 5'6" | OH Lutheran | 2021 State MO is a solid defender and has a high volleyball IQ.
HP Illinois 18 Elite
We don’t know much about this squad besides they are a Gateway Region team. Since we don’t cover much into Illinois we have little info to go off of. They did earn their bid at the Girls Championships qualifier to start the year in Indiana.
18 American
Fight Club 18-1
In the preseason, we knew Fight Club had a team that could advance on to Ohio and they delivered. They qualified for HOA Power League and ran into many teams competing in this national tournament. They regrouped and played some of their best ball of the season in the regional competition to grab the final available bid. They are a young team with many athletes playing up an age or two. Standouts include setter Jadyn Jackson. She is impressive pushing the ball fast to the pins. One of those pins, Torrance Lovesee Torrance Lovesee 5'10" | OH Bluestem | 2021 State KS has been fun to watch compete. She brings a swagger to the court you can appreciate. Middle Abigail Rose is solid defensively and puts up a strong block.
Highlands 18 Rox
The final team to benefit from the movement of local region teams. When Invasion got the at-large called, Highlands was up next. This team has a tremendous story as one of the “smaller” teams in Kansas City. I saw on their FaceBook page, a few of their girls will be making their 5th consecutive trip to Nationals for the same club. This is an amazing feat considering the movement you see in the club volleyball scene. Uncommitted Chelsea Gillespie has been a staple on this team for years. She has played on the pins and even in the middle at 5’6/5/7. She has played DS and donned the libero jersey. Ainslee Stepp and Jada Davis, high school teammates have been good players along the front row.
Mavs 816 18-1
Mavs 816 joins their sisters of Mavs KC in Columbus for their final national tournament. They earned their American bid through regional play. They finished in the top half in their two large qualifying attempts in the USA division. Jordan (Boone) and Jordan (Kreps) are players who make plays at the net along with Paige Huhman Paige Huhman MB Lee's Summit North | 2021 State MO . Molly Carr has elevated her play this season and is a weapon on the right side. Lauren McClure Lauren McClure 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2021 State KS is a leader on the floor from the setter position.
Rockwood Thunder 18 Navy
18 Navy makes their trip East after a strong region bid tournament for the Gateway League. They finished second in the USA division at Show Me, but with only 10 teams registered only one bid was earned. They came close on two other occasions with an 8th and 5th place finish at two other qualifiers. They are a team that can easily compete in the USA grouping, but this positions them to make a run at a national title in American. They have a roster full of players who will play at the next level. Taylor Gentemann Taylor Gentemann 6'0" | MB Winfield | 2021 State MO , Chloe Kaimann Chloe Kaimann 5'7" | DS/L Winfield | 2021 State MO , Alexis Basler Alexis Basler 5'4" | DS/L Lafayette (Wildwood) | 2021 State MO , and Olivia Meier Olivia Meier DS/L Marquette | 2021 State MO are a handful of players making plays for this deep squad.
Topeka Saints 18-1
The only American team from our coverage area to earn their bid at a national qualifier, Topeka did so at Northern Lights back in January. They are a team in which many of their players have been together for years. Dejah Miller is a high flyer taking her game to Johnson County Community College. Alyssa Dinkel has been an anchor along the back row from the libero position. Setter Bailey Hughes has done a good job of leading the team in their final season.