Welcome to the (almost) final national rankings! We can’t quite call this the last version of the 18s Top 50, not with the AAU National Championships still ahead in June. While there isn’t a scenario that will change the top spot in the rankings – occupied by USAV National Champion Wave 18 Juliana – we won’t put the final stamp on it yet. There’s a slight chance of some movement elsewhere, but without doubt Wave earned the No. 1 ranking.

Drive Nation 18 Red was the undisputed top team throughout qualifying season. An early loss to AJV 18 Adidas was the lone blemish for Drive Nation entering JN’s in Columbus. However, Drive Nation’s hopes of finishing off a dream season was interrupted when it ran into Wave in the semifinals and lost in a tight sweep. That brings us to the one hard-fast rule when it comes to national championships and vballrecruiter.com’s national rankings.

While rankings are subjective, one thing that is not is the way we rank teams when it comes to winning/losing in an elimination match with a gold medal on the line. Teams build their seasons toward that moment and if Team A eliminates Team B in a challenge match or gold-bracket match, Team A is always going to be ranked higher than Team B no mater what. Period.

There’s a compelling argument with all results being equal that would lead to a team like Coast 18-1 being ranked ahead of Premier Nebraska 18 Gold. Yet, it was Premier Nebraska which kept Coast from advancing in the gold bracket and thus Premier Nebraska is ranked ahead of Coast. You’ll find the consistency of that applied throughout the latest set of rankings and as a result there was big movement from a handful of teams.

vballrecruiter.com TOP 50 NATIONAL RANKINGS

1. Wave 18 Juliana (CA) (10 – previous ranking)

2. Drive Nation 18 Red (TX) (1)

3. Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (NE) (6)

4. Coast 18-1 (CA) (2)

5. Munciana 18 Samurai (IN) (3)

6. 1st Alliance 18 Gold (IL) (5)

7. Sunshine 18 LA (CA) (7)

8. AZ Rev 18 Premier (AZ) (15)

9. Circle City 18 Purple (IN) (13)

10. NPJ 18 Forefront (OR) (20)

***

11. Elevation 18 Spinney (OH) (12)

12. Paramount VBC 18s (VA) (31)

13. Club V 18 Ren Reed (UT) (11)

14. OT 18 John (FL) (19)

15. Skyline 18 Royal (TX) (14)

16. HJV 18 Elite (TX) (23)

17. Mizuno Long Beach 18 Rockstar (CA) (39)

18. Metro 18 Travel (DC) (16)

19. Legacy 18-1 Adidas (MI) (22)

20. Triangle 18 Black (NC) (32)

***

21. MAVS KC 18-1 (KS) (4)

22. A5 18 Marc (GA) (8)

23. SPVB 18 Elite (IL) (n/r)

24. Adidas KiVA 18 Red (KY) (17)

25. Tri-State Elite 18 Blue (OH) (27)

26. MKE Sting 18 Gold (WI) (26)

27. Arizona Storm 18 Thunder (AZ) (21)

28. Mintonette Sports m.81 (OH) (9)

29. MN Select 18-1 (MN) (34)

30. Northern Lights 18-1 (MN) (42)

***

31. FC Elite 18 Elite (WI) (29)

32. Gainesville Jrs 18/17 (FL) (25)

33. Absolute 18 Black (CA) (n/r)

34. Ocala Power 17/18 (FL) (n/r)

35. Excel 18 National Red (TX) (45)

36. Rage Westside 18 Michelle (CA) (n/r)

37. Hou Skyline 18 Royal (TX) (24)

38. Far Out 18 Black (MI) (28)

39. Ku’Ikahi 18 Wahine RSB (HI) (30)

40. CUVC 18 Titan (NC) (37)

***

41. AVC Cle 18 Red (OH) (18)

42. OJVA 18-1 Gold (OR) (50)

43. TAV 18 Black (TX) (35)

44. AJV 18 Adidas (TX) (43)

45. Madfrog 18 Green (TX) (33)

46. VC United 18 Elite (IL) (41)

47. KC Power 18 Black (KS) (44)

48. Kairos 18 Alpha (SD) (n/r)

49. Tstreet 18 Chandler (CA) (48)

50. Topeka Impact 18-1 (KS) (46)

ON THE CUSP

AZ EVJ 18 Elite (AZ) (49)

Adversity 18 Adidas (IL)

EC Power 18 Royal (PA)

Tribe 18 Elite Cardinal (FL)

A4 Volley 18 Joaco (CA) (38)

SynergyForce 18 Shasta (CA)

Alamo 18 Premier (TX)

VCNebraska 18 Elite (NE) (36)

NOVA Juniors 18 Navy (OH)

NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami (KY) (40)

608 Jrs 18s (WI)

OP2 18-1 (OK)

GP 18 Rox (FL)

PVA 18 Elite (KS)

Co Jrs 18 Doug (CO)

ID Crush 18 Bower (ID)

Rev 18-1 Avengers (IN)

Vegas Aces 18 UA (NV)

Actyve 18 Black (CA)