It’s that time! GJNC time! So for all those who didn’t know USA Volleyball decided to split up the national tournaments this year with 11-13s running this week in Minneapolis and the 14-17s running from June 28-July 6 in Chicago. With that being said let’s dive right into the action from Day 1 of the youngers.

13 Open

Day 1 brought the fire with the top-three seeds in the tournament, Madfrog 13 Green, Dynasty 13 Black and TAV 13 Black going 2-1 for the day. A5 13 Karen, Excel 13 Red and HPSTL 13 Royal were the three squads who ended the day 3-0.

I was lucky to catch the Dynasty 13 Black and OT 13 Tampa match. That match was electric. Two very different squads literally leaving it on the court. Dynasty ended up with the win in three (25-23, 23-25, 15-12).

12 National

The 12s group in general is loaded with enormous talent. And the top-four seeds all went 3-0 along with a few other squads. Skyline 12 Royal, Coast 12-1 and Boilers 121E Gold also went 3-0 on Day 1.

12s odds & ends

One team I have not seen this season is GVA/MIZUNO 12U Dark Blue out of Puerto Rico who is playing in 12 USA. Talk about scrappers! MB Anna Aquino Machado is definitely someone to keep your eye on! And another 12 USA kid I haven’t seen before is Top Select 12 Elite middle blocker Gabrielle Robinson. Holy wow when she connects. I watched for the first time MVA 12 Julio in 12 American. Outside hitter Anabelle Bencosme and setter Amy Smith led the way for a team with a lot of athleticism and fire.

11 National

If you have never seen the 11s play at Nationals I would highly suggest heading over and watching them. Wow. Tons of siblings across the board who have watched their older sisters ball out and now it is their time to start shining (which I honestly love to see). And let’s not forget the two 10s teams (Madfrog 10 Green and Dynasty 10 Black) who qualified an age group up!

Show Stoppers

Molly Monday S/RS OT 13 T Tabitha: Monday is a dual threat with great hands and attacks well on the right side. She isn’t afraid to throw a few shots out there either.

Leilani Lamar OH OT 13 T Tabitha: Lamar can really extend and let it fly. As she adds more strength to her frame and continues to grow in the game, watch out.

Sarah Floyd RS TAV 13 Black: Floyd, a lefty, gets up effortlessly and can simply unload on balls.

Bethany Benjamin OH A5 13 Karen: Benjamin brings alot of sass and fire to the court both defensively and offensively.

Riley Stringer S MIZ LB 13 Rockstar: Stringer sets effortlessly. She puts up a clean ball and puts her hitters in good positions.

Sophia Sturdy S/RS Dynasty 13 Black: Sturdy does double duty for her squad. She is an offensive weapon on the pins and sets well from the backrow.

Olivia Carter MB OP2 13-1: Carter is a quick middle and that causes trouble for opponents. She gets up and swings well.

Lily Vandeweghe MB Mizuno Long Beach 12 Rockstar: Vandeweghe is always a threat in the middle. She’s long and hits well. She also provides a big block to help slow down attacks.

Brylie Milo OH KC Power 12 Black: Milo takes a lot of swings. She’s one of the mainstays in the attack and consistently finds ways to score.

Anna Coulis MB MKE Sting 12 Gold: This was my first time seeing Coulis. She is a very active middle and someone Sting looks to get the ball to.

Danaya Petkova MB Rockwood Thunder 12 Elite: Petkova is long and lanky and has lots of upside as she moves up the rank. She is a defensive weapon at the net.

Anna Aquino Machado MB GVA/MIZUNO 12U Dark Blue: Machado has seriously no fear when she swings. And let me tell you she can bring the heat.

Anabelle Bencosme OH MVA 12 Julio: Bencosme in one word is explosive. She will be fun to watch move through the ranks.

Gabrielle Robinson MB Top Select 12 Elite: Robinson can literally crush the ball when she connects in the middle. Wow.

Ellie Fangman MB 208 U12 Elite: Fangman is an athletic attacker who gets up and swings very well along with being a literal wall on defense.