18s Wrap Up Juniors Careers in Columbus
I’m just getting the opportunity to watch back games and review notes from coaches on the weekend it was in Ohio. I was able to see some of the National division as an official and a great story emerged from…
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Continue ReadingI’m just getting the opportunity to watch back games and review notes from coaches on the weekend it was in Ohio. I was able to see some of the National division as an official and a great story emerged from this division with local implications. The opportunity to just finish their club careers at a national tournament is something these athletes should be proud of. Every team isn’t afforded this opportunity and even if things didn’t go as planned for some teams, three final days to play together is something the Class of 2020 didn’t get to experience. Here is a light recap from 18s GJNC.
Pohaku finishes runner-up in the National Division
I tend to not call this team a “new team” because they all played together last year under a different club. However, what an accomplishment and something to build on for a start-up club finishing as national runner-up. After their near misses in earning an open bid during the qualifier season, we knew this team was capable of making a championship run in the National Division. The green and black finished 7-2, losing once in pool play then not losing again until the championship match. They dropped the final match in straight sets, -18 in both. They set a solid foundation for the future of Pohaku and congratulations.
Other Missouri/Kansas Teams in the National Division: Dynasty Black (4-4) 33rd overall, HPSTL Royal (1-6) 37th overall,
Tough Going in Open Division
There were great expectations leading into the Open Division for Missouri/Kansas programs. Even though they went 3-0 on Day 1, we learned quickly Mavs KC wasn’t the Mavs team we’ve seen all season. We learned Justine Bichelmeyer Justine Bichelmeyer 6'2" | MB St. James Academy | 2021 State KS suffered an unfortunate ACL injury the week leading up to nationals in a scrimmage. Leilani Elder was making her return and still suffering from an ankle injury suffered in Las Vegas. And Olivia Lovett Olivia Lovett 5'11" | OH St. James Academy | 2021 State KS was injured in a scrimmage a couple of weeks ago. Elder and Lovett gutted it out but then another injury occurred when Kristen Birmingham Kristen Birmingham 6'1" | OH Park Hill | 2021 State MO tweaked a back, which forced her into limited action on day 2 and no action on day 3. The team would end 19th at 5-3.
PVA Elite, who earned their bid on the final day of Show Me went 4-4, good for a 27th place finish. They finished 4th in their pool, just missing the chance to compete in a crossover match to stay in championship contention. Rockwood Thunder Elite earned one of the original four at-large bids. They were matched up with eventual national runner-up Adversity and like PVA , ended in the oh-so-close 4th slot. Their tournament record was 2-5, which earned them a 37th place finish.
Shockwave leads the way in the USA Division
Shockwave 18 Scott is another team we highlighted thinking they could compete for a championship after being competitive in the Open Division and HOA Power League this year. They were perfect through pool play and won their crossover match to grab a spot among the final eight in the gold bracket. They battled but dropped their quarterfinal match to Vegas Aces 18 Under Armour. They would finish in a tie for 5th place.
Not too far behind them in 9th place was HP Illinois from the Gateway Region. As we shared, because they are based in Illinois we didn’t cover them much but due to being a representative of the region, we show them love and congratulatory praise.
417 Juniors, like Shockwave, had a great start running out to a 3-0 Day 1. They would end pool play 4-1 and drop a tough crossover match with the third set ending 15-13. They ended their season with a 5-3 record and 21st place finish. Invasion Black had a 3-4 record in the division, 29th place. Mizuno Club North had a tough go, 1-6 weekend.
Final Five of the American Division
The last five teams to highlight are in the American Division. Topeka Saints entered as one of less than a dozen teams to earn their bid by winning a qualifier. They would also end as the highest finishing team at nationals, 21st place after a 3-4 weekend. Not too far behind them was Rockwood Thunder Navy at 27th and a .500 tournament going 4-4. Fight Club 18-1 fall in line at 29th place. Highlands18 Rox and Mavs 816 18-1 both tied for 53rd.
Again, congratulations to all of the players, and good luck in your future endeavors.