Watching 17 Open play out at Big South was the latest reminder of why predicting results can be so difficult. Who would have guessed that Wave 17 Juliana would have gone on a perfect streak and left Atlanta without a set loss after sweeping past A5 Mizuno 17 Jing in the final? While a team like OT 17 John – which finished third – was expected to do well, all the eventual Open qualifiers surprised in their own way too. Neither CUVC 17 Premier nor Mich Elite 17 Mizuno had reached a gold pool yet in any previous qualifier but busted through at Big South. Then there was CHAVC 17 Black, which is perhaps the smallest team to qualify for Open so far this season, coming up clutch and getting the job done. Below, we tell the tales of the weekend from the top six finishers.

WAVE 17 JULIANA (FIRST, 10-0)

Day 1: d Triangle 17 Black 25-14, 25-20; d GP 17 Rox 25-19, 25-9; d High Tide 17 Elite 25-23, 25-16
Day 2: d TCVA 17 HKH 25-14, 25-7; d OT 17 Aaron 25-13, 25-13; d OT 17 John 25-22, 30-28; d CUVC 17 Premier 25-12, 27-25
Day 3: d Mich Elite 17 Mizuno 25-23, 25-17; d No Name 17-1 25-21, 25-22; d A5 Mizuno 17 Jing 25-17, 25-16

Earlier this month Wave was rolling through its competition at the Red Rock Rave in Las Vegas, producing all sweeps – including in the first round of gold pool play. Yet, its tournament ended with consecutive losses to Coast 17-1 and Club V 17 Ren Reed. Wave finished with its bid through an unusual process when Legacy Girls 17 Pyramid declined its Open bid and it wound up trickling down to Wave.

At Big South this past weekend, Wave once more was on a roll. It delivered nothing but sweeps through the first two days, once again winning its opening round of gold pool play. As Day 3 kicked off Wave was seeking a stronger finish to close out its second and final qualifier of the season. After securing victories over Mich Elite and No Name 17-1, Wave was flawless in sweeping A5 in the final and completing a perfect weekend in which it went 10-0 and 20-0 in sets.

“We hadn’t seen A5 but we didn’t want to change anything,” Wave coach Juliana Conn said. “It was another good team we were playing. It was super fun to watch. We blocked and served them really well. We served well the whole weekend. Teams have served us well but we hadn’t been able to turn it around and do it back to other teams. Everything was clicking.”

Even though Wave had its bid prior to Big South, it did appear the So Cal club came to Atlanta with an edge. In Vegas, Wave received a fortunate break but wanted to take matters into its own hands this time around.

“We didn’t get the bid the way we wanted to in Vegas,” Conn said. “It wasn’t just luck. There were a lot of good teams there and it’s really hard to get a bid. We put ourselves in a good position and it trickled down. I told the girls they earned it. Every team had a shot at it. Knowing the girls though they wanted to get it themselves.”

When on, Wave can come at opponents from all over. Of course, there is five-star recruit Julia Blyashov and her talents that Wave can always rely on on the outside. Lily Dwinell is another lanky outside who has the smarts to score on a regular basis. Wave also has another long hitter in right side Auburn Tomkinson.

Still, Wave doesn’t get to unleash its full potential without its middles getting involved. Setter Shanelle Puetz has a trio to work with in Cayla Payne, Eva Rohrbach and Ryleigh Patterson. Then there’s the strong defensive play of a back row featuring libero Koko Kirsch and Katerina Lutz.

“Every tournament in the 17s is good,” Conn said. “We went there knowing we would find really good competition and that was the case. Every day we faced really good teams. We couldn’t really take a break. Our mindset was just to go hard and just play hard every time.”

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A5 MIZUNO 17 JING (SECOND, 9-1)

Day 1: d Emerald Coast 17 National 25-20, 25-21; d Wizard 17-1 25-14, 25-15; d TCVA 17 HKH 25-10, 25-18
Day 2: d Mich Elite 17 Mizuno 25-13, 25-21; d IVBA 17 Open 25-17, 25-15; d High Tide 17 Elite 25-16, 25-22; d Top Select 17 Elite 25-14, 25-20
Day 3: d OT 17 John 25-18, 26-24; d CHAVC 17 Black 25-15, 25-9; l Wave 25-17, 25-16

Something had to give when A5 and Wave clashed in the 17 Open final. Neither had dropped a set let alone a match and it had all the makings of a classic encounter. Yet, Wave came out hot and A5 was never able to cool the So Cal club off and therefore settled for second at its home qualifier.

There were some moments of gratitude though. A5 was able to defeat OT and Top Select, clubs that had beat A5 at previous qualifiers.

A5 has certainly faced some challenges since putting a target on its back by going undefeated at Triple Crown in February. Earning an Open bid seemed like a mere formality after that but A5 actually came up short during its first attempt at NEQ where it finished tied for fifth. There, A5 fell to Dynasty 17 Black on Day 2 and then OT in gold pool to miss out on the bid.

A5 did wrap up its bid at its next qualifier – the Sunshine Classic earlier this month. But it was not without some bumps along the way. A5 was upset by PVA 17 Elite on Day 2, then lost its opening gold pool match to Top Select. A5 still managed to make the final, where it lost once more to Dynasty.

A5 has a deep lineup and can run a variety of lineups. Rebecca Watkins and Katherine Boney are the main setters in a 6-2. Watkins at times can stay in the front row and hit. Other times A5 uses Sydney Bray and Jaidyn Garcia on the right. Jurnee Robinson is the five-star recruit at outside, a position where A5 also uses Ashley Sturzoiu or Lauren Hayes.

The middles rotate as well between Iyanna Garvin, Sydney Austin and Milana Thornton. Arya Jue – a four-star recruit – suits up libero with Mary Neal one of the primary defensive specialists.

***

OT 17 JOHN (THIRD, 8-2)

Day 1: d IVBA 17 Open 25-12, 25-14; d MAVA Adidas 17 Select 25-13, 23-25, 15-7; d HPSTL 17 Royal 25-15, 25-12
Day 2: d OT 17 Aaron 25-20, 25-18; d TCVA 17 HKH 25-17, 25-12; l Wave 17 Juliana 25-22, 30-28; d CHAVC 17 Black 23-25, 25-13, 15-13
Day 3: l A5 Mizuno 17 Jing 25-18, 26-24; d Top Select 17 Elite 25-16, 22-25, 15-10; d CUVC 17 Premier 25-16, 24-26, 15-10

Big South was the latest in what’s been a packed national schedule for OT in 2022. Once more the Florida club produced another high finish after beating CUVC in the third-place contest to close out its time in Atlanta. OT’s only setback came to the two finalists in Wave and A5. OT also defeated Top Select in gold pool play, keeping Top Select from any chance of earning a bid.

OT actually first aimed at qualifying back in January at Northern Lights yet missed out after tying for fifth. That showing stands as OT’s lowest finish in five national tournaments. Next up was Triple Crown, where OT’s efforts landed them in a third-place tie. From there, it was on to Philly, where OT secured its Open bid with another third-place finish. Remaining remarkably consistent, OT also finished tied for third at Sunshine earlier this month.

It’s clear to see why OT has done as well as it has. It’s a tall team with few holes. Three-star recruit Zeta Washington is more than a handful in the middle. Right side Allison Cavanaugh – another three-star recruit – is another key part of the offense, as is outside Madelyn Peterson. Setter and three-star recruit Jessica-Anne Shattles also has Emily Fowler and Grace Albaugh on the left and Haley Robinson in the middle while Sydney Lewis steadies out the defense at libero.

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CUVC 17 PREMIER (FOURTH, 6-4)

Day 1: d Premier 17-1 25-14, 25-18; d EliteVBTC 17 Black 25-22, 25-23; l Top Select 17 Elite 16-25, 25-15, 15-12
Day 2: d Academy 17 Diamond 25-22, 15-25, 16-14; l CHAVC 17 Black 25-17, 25-19; d Elevation 17 Goller 13-25, 25-22, 15-9; l Wave 17 Juliana 25-12, 27-25
Day 3: d No Name 17-1 25-11, 17-25, 15-9; d Mich Elite 17 Mizuno 28-26, 28-26; l OT 17 John 25-16, 24-26, 15-10

It’s been a grind of a season for CUVC, which has dealt with its share of injuries but was finally healthy and able to showcase what a full lineup is capable of at Big South. Qualifying didn’t come without more challenges though as CUVC faced possible elimination on Day 2 before rallying past Elevation 17 Goller in three sets to remain alive and ultimately take fourth place and one of the available bids. It was the first time this group qualified for Open.

CUVC was put in a must win situation against Elevation because it dropped its prior match to CHAVC. So another loss to Elevation would mean a 1-2 finish and an exit from contention. Making it to gold pools, CUVC lost its first outing to Wave but was still in a good spot heading into Day 3. More than likely it just needed to pick up one victory over either No Name or Mich Elite to secure a bid yet defeated both before falling to OT in the third-place meeting.

“This was the weekend it came together,” CUVC coach Bill Ferguson said. “We’ve had a rash of injuries that started before Triple Crown. This was our last qualifier on the schedule and we are back to what we think we can be. We are not a huge team but we have skilled players and we have to serve really tough and play our way. We finally had everyone together long enough to get that going. The last two weeks at practice we made some strides.”

CUVC didn’t make it out of its Day 1 pool at MEQ. Then at NEQ, it caught a tough break when it finished in a three-way tie at 2-1 but took third and once again didn’t make it past Day 1. Finding itself in a position to qualify at Big South, CUVC didn’t let the opportunity pass by.

“I think everyone knew the math but we just talked about playing volleyball our way and understanding what type of team we are,” Ferguson said. “We can’t be looking at a team like Wave where everyone is taller than us and trying to be them. We need to trust our way of playing in our system and doing what we have to do to function.”

Outside Julia Waugh – who is committed to Washington – was one of the injured players earlier this year but helped form a strong outside duo along with Maddie Smith at Big South. Setter Cristin Cline got hurt at Triple Crown and also missed time but the Oregon commit was in full effect this past weekend. There is some versatility to CUVC’s lineup, which can feature Isabella Castelloe and Ava Leahy in the middle and Aaliyah Mitchell and Hailey Pearce on the right. Libero Courtney Nix helped hold down the back row along with Liz McElveen, who was yet another player CUVC had to spend time without this season.

“The girls showed some guts,” Ferguson said. “They faced all these obstacles with the injuries. We’ve been trying to figure out what our identity is. It’s nice to have a tangible result to lean on.”

***

MICH ELITE 17 MIZUNO (T-FIFTH, 5-4)

Day 1: d Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite 25-21, 25-15; l No Name 17-1 26-24, 25-23; d NYC 17 National 25-14, 25-27, 15-8
Day 2: l A5 Mizuno 17 Jing 25-13, 25-21; d High Tide 17 Elite 25-17, 25-17; d IVBA 17 Open 25-14, 20-25, 15-10; d No Name 17-1 25-19, 23-25, 15-8
Day 3: l Wave 17 Juliana 25-23, 25-17; l CUVC 17 Premier 28-26, 28-26

Mich Elite was in a similar position as CUVC coming into Big South. Like CUVC, Mich Elite didn’t advance past its Day 1 pools at both MEQ and NEQ. Atlanta represented one last shot at redemption but Mich Elite was playing with fire again on the opening day. It dropped its second contest of the pool to No Name and then was in a third set before prevailing over NYC 17 National in what would have been an eliminating loss.

In reaching the gold pools, Mich Elite earned a rematch with No Name to kick off the action Saturday evening. This time, Mich Elite took the meeting in three sets and that proved to be the key victory. Though Mich Elite fell to Wave and CUVC on Day 3, it finished in third place in its pool ahead of No Name to wrap up its bid.

“I’m really happy how we performed,” Mich Elite coach Kristin Eddy said. “I thought we competed all weekend. We are outsized in virtually every match we play so I’m happy we came out and competed every single match.”

The teams without bids that made the gold pools figured to qualify if they could finish in third place or better in their respective pools. The one obstacle was if any of the previously-qualified teams finished in fourth place, which would eliminate some of the trickle down.

Even though Mich Elite was looking good after beating No Name to finish Day 2, there was a scenario playing out Sunday where OT could’ve ended up in fourth place had it lost to Top Select. That would’ve meant Mich Elite playing Top Select in the fifth-place match for the final bid. OT ended up winning and with it Mich Elite had its bid. Mich Elite could’ve avoided those tense moments though with a win over CUVC in its final gold pool match.

“We felt relief,” Eddy said. “We had the opportunity to be in the driver’s seat and have control, but then we were waiting on needing something else to happen so it was a little frustrating.”

The way the first two qualifiers of the season had gone for Mich Elite, there wasn’t any focused placed on getting a bid at Big South. Eddy said she just wanted the team to have its thoughts on playing the best volleyball it could and see where the team landed when it was over.

“We took qualifying off the table,” she said. “Going into the weekend we weren’t even having that conversation. We just needed to compete. We’ve struggled at our last tournaments so it was just a matter of going out and competing and let’s just play volleyball and whatever happens, happens.”

Remi Madison and Paige Giehtbrock were the primary outsides, with Neele’ge Sims and Sawyer Jones in the middle. Ella Schomer was also an option on the right side for setter and four-star recruit Ava Sarafa.

“We did a great job passing,” Eddy said. “Our libero Kalliann Cook (a three-star recruit) put herself in position and was making some amazing defensive plays. We were able to get our middles involved. Ava is a phenomenal setter and she’s so good she can get anyone involved.”

***

CHAVC 17 BLACK (T-FIFTH, 7-2)

Day 1: d MJVA 17-1 25-18, 25-10; d Tribe 17 Elite 22-25, 25-16, 15-5; d Paramount 17-1 25-14, 25-19
Day 2: d Elevation 17 Goller 16-25, 25-21, 15-12; d CUVC 17 Premier 25-17, 25-19; d Academy 17 Diamond 25-19, 25-23; l OT 17 John 23-25, 25-13, 15-13
Day 3: d Top Select 17 Elite 25-15, 18-25, 15-6; l A5 Mizuno 17 Jing 25-15, 25-9

Maybe we should have known something special was brewing with CHAVC after the way it played during its Round 2 pool. It matched up with two other North Carolina clubs in CUVC and Academy 17 Diamond, as well as Elevation. CHAVC performed exceptionally well, downing Elevation in three and sweeping the other two to finish on top and advance to the gold pools.

Even being so close to a bid, there was still a long way to go as CHAVC landed in the same pool as A5, OT and Top Select.

Who knew what to expect Sunday after CHAVC lost a heartbreaker to OT in three sets to open gold pool action Saturday night. Would CHAVC dig deep and find a way against Top Select or would the team be gassed? The way the gold pools were shaping up, the showdown between Top Select and CHAVC was very likely to produce a bid for the winner.

As the teams split sets and headed for a third, the tension only built in anticipation of which side would prevail. It seemed like Top Select had found its rhythm after a strong second frame but CHAVC was able to regain the momentum and didn’t let up as it cruised to victory.

The bid seemed wrapped up but it was not a sure thing just yet. There was a scenario where Top Select could beat OT in three sets to create a three-way tie with OT and CHAVC at 1-2. That would’ve led to one-game playoffs where anything could’ve happened.

Instead, OT held off Top Select in three and that’s when CHAVC could officially celebrate.

“We were reffing that match and the kids were coming up to me asking who we wanted to win,” CHAVC coach Tristy Bittikofer said. “I had gone through it all. We could’ve also ended up in a three-way tie for first. I was thinking about let’s win the pool. I wasn’t thinking about qualifying, I was thinking about winning Big South.”

Those hopes were dashed when CHAVC fell to A5 in its final outing of the weekend. Still, the bid was a huge accomplishment as CHAVC hadn’t made Open before. CHAVC participated in three previous qualifiers this season with its best showing at NEQ. There, CHAVC made the gold pools but lost both matches to Circle City 17 Purple and NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami and was out. It came to Big South knowing it was its last chance at earning a bid.

“It’s so exciting,” Bittikofer said. “It’s been our goal all along.”

A key lineup changed helped spark CHAVC, which had been playing four-star recruit Jordyn Dailey on the right side but moved her back to her natural position in the middle for Big South. She proved unstoppable and the switch also allowed Cameron Lanier to shine on the right side after moving her from the middle to there.

“Putting Jordyn in the middle made her that much more terminal,” Bittikofer said. “Cameron is a really good player. She doesn’t necessarily look the part but we put her on the right side and she came alive.”

Dailey and Lanier are the only players above 6-0, though middle Akila Hardie is 5-11 and touches 10-2. Then there’s sophomore setter Jordan Smart, who is 5-7 and really found her stride at Big South, Bittikofer said.

“She came into her own,” she said of Smart. “She was really running the offense this weekend. It was so exciting.”

It was a Cinderalla story of sorts seeing CHAVC breakthrough and qualify. The roster is filled by only nine girls so there’s not much depth to go along with the lack of size.

“We are built on serving and passing and that’s it,” Bittikofer said. “We have a bunch of beach players who serve and pass really well. It’s hard to ace us. Other teams, we go at them from the line. From there, we just outlast teams until we get a good look.”