Viva Las Vegas: GJNC 15 American Preview Part 1
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The Girls Junior National Championships are less than a week away in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the 2020 championships were wiped out, teams are excited and eager to venture out west to stake their claim as one of the top…
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Continue ReadingThe Girls Junior National Championships are less than a week away in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the 2020 championships were wiped out, teams are excited and eager to venture out west to stake their claim as one of the top teams in America. The 15’s age division will be the first of the age groups we cover to kick things off June 27th-June 30th. Today we will take a look at some of the Missouri teams looking to leave their mark in the American division.
Apex Volleyball Club 15-1
How did they get here? 3rd Place finish in HOA Regional Competition
Other notes: 11th in HOA Power League, 5th in Northern Lights Qualifier
Apex Volleyball, out of the Springfield area had a tremendous season that earned them a berth to Las Vegas. Their 11th place finish in Power League was not an easy task, considering the field was loaded. They went and battled at Regionals and earned a 3rd place finish, which was enough to earn their American bid. After a strong showing at Northern Lights, they are ready to compete next week. We have not seen Apex in action this spring and hope to check them out on Ballertv.
Mizuno Club North 15-1
How did they get here? 2nd Place finish in HOA Regional Competition
Other notes: 6th in HOA Power League, 5th at MEQ, 5th at Nothern Lights, 20th at Show Me
We have seen this Kansas City area team in action on a few occasions this season and they are a competitive bunch. They have had a quality spring with a second-place finish at regionals and 5th place slots at MEQ and Northern Lights. Claire Mosh leads the back row with her passing and defensive play. Setter Felicia Wu leads the offensive charge and finds hitters like Kaitlyn Burke and Addison Bailey. The team has had to battle the last couple of months with OH Mikalah Davis Mikalah Davis 5'9" | OH St. Michael The Archangel | 2024 State MO , who suffered an injury back in April. Caroline Wengler Caroline Wengler 5'11" | MB Park Hill South | 2024 State MO has played well in the middle and provides an offensive threat. Pin Avery Ashby has been solid and also provides a back-row attack threat.
Tamales 15-1
How did they get here? Reallocated bid and earned after a 4th place Regional finish
Other notes: 2nd at Colorado Crossroads
Tamales are another team we didn’t get to see much of this year as we caught most of our action via live stream. They are a team who thought their season could be over after a 4th place regional finish and just missing a bid at Crossroads. The 4th place finish turned out to be huge after a reallocated bid fell into the laps of HOA and Tamales were able to snatch it up. They are another Springfield team looking forward to continuing their positive late-season play in Las Vegas.
Summit Volleyball Club 15-1
How did they get here? Winning MEQ
Other notes: 9th at Regionals, 21st at Show Me
The South Kansas City Summit 15-1 team jumped on our radar early this season after a strong showing at the Mideast Qualifier and capturing the lone American bid. They are a gritty team with many contributors. Libero Hayle Shepherd is as good as they come in this age group. She has spidey-like reflexes and is quick to the ball. Anchoring the back row with her defensive play is Haylie Jennings. The defensive specialist is good in serve receive. The offensive star in the matches we saw earlier this season was middle Alexis Anderson. She is aggressive and a problem for opposing defenders.