The Windy City Qualifier, like Big South, is a convergence of all age groups over one weekend. It’s grown into one of the toughest qualifiers as well in recent years. Below, we look at the 14-17 Open divisions and give a brief rundown, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know as well as our predictions as to what might happen.

17 OPEN

Number of Teams: 31

Number of Bids: 3

Previously-Qualified Teams (1): Circle City 17 Purple

Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (12):

5. 1st Alliance 17 Gold IL
6. TAV 17 Black TX
7. Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal FL
12. Legacy 17-1 Adidas MI
14. HJV 17 Elite TX
15. Nebraska One 17 Synergy NE
25. Adrenaline 17 Ben IA
28. AVC Cle 17 Red OH
30. MAVS KC 17-1 KC
36. Alamo 17 Premier TX
41. VCNebraska 17 Elite NE
47. HPSTL 17 Royal MO

5-Star Players to Know:

Addy Horner S/RS 1st Alliance 17 Gold (Wisconsin)
Abby Vander Wal 1st Alliance 17 Gold (Texas)
Logan Parks S/RS MAVS KC 17-1
Natalie Wardlow MB Nebraska One 17 Synergy (Wisconsin)
Kelly Kinney OH Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal (Minnesota)
Charlotte Glass S Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal (Duke)
Jordan Taylor MB HJV 17 Elite (Minnesota)
Campbell Flynn S Legacy 17-1 Adidas (Nebraska)
Annabelle Groomes S AVC Cle 17 Red (San Diego)
Megan Fitch OH Alamo 17 Premier (Texas AM)

4-Star Players to Know:

Emma Parks OH AVC Cle 17 Red (Marquette)
Brookelyn Hatton L/DS MAVS KC 17-1 (Arizona)
Olivia Guzman MB Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal
Zoey Matias L/DS Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal (Missouri)
Mija Bendziute RS Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal (UCLA)
Keri Leimbach L/DS Nebraska One 17 Synergy (Nebraska)
Sydney Bryant OH HJV 17 Elite (Vanderbilt)
Reese Dunkle MB Circle City 17 Purple (Northwestern)
Logan Bell OH Circle City 17 Purple (Oregon
Malorie Boesiger S Nebraska One 17 Synergy (2027)

Outlook: This division is going to be thrilling. There are 12 teams from our Top 50 but only one – Circle City – is qualified. That’s going to make for a wild ride to the finish line to determine the three bids. Circle City, along with TAV, Tribe, Legacy and HJV were all together at Sunshine but none earned bids there. TAV, Tribe, Legacy and HJV are the favorites this weekend to earn bids, right with 1st Alliance. Nebraska One and AVC Cle are certainly capable enough to not allow that to take place. MAVS, Alamo and VCNebraska are teams that can upset anyone and cause havoc as a result.

Prediction: I think Tribe catches fire, beating TAV in the final. Both qualify. 1st Alliance gets by Nebraska One in the third-place match to earn the remaining bid.

*****

16 OPEN

Number of Teams: 27

Number of Bids: 3

Previously-Qualified Teams (2): Mintonette Sports m.61; Madfrog 16 Green

Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (11):

1. Mintonette Sports m.61 OH
2. Legacy 16-1 Adidas MI
9. Madfrog 16 Green TX
11. Austin Skyline 16 Royal TX
13. 1st Alliance 16 Gold IL
22. AVC Cle 16 Red OH
30. Rev 16-1 Fury IN
45. Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal FL
48. TVC 16 Black OH
49. OT 16 Roberto FL
50. Top Select 16 Elite FL

5-Star Players to Know:

Gigi Artiles OH Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal
Gabby Divita OH Legacy 16-1 Adidas
Ella Andrews MB Legacy 16-1 Adidas
Kayla Nwabueze MB Legacy 16-1 Adidas
Emma Cugino L/DS Mintonette Sports m.61
Henley Anderson OH Austin Skyline 16 Royal
Riley Malloy OH Austin Skyline 16 Royal
Bennett Raterman MB HPSTL 16 Royal

4-Star Players to Know:

Bella Lopez RS Madfrog 16 Green
Gabi Rodriguez L/DS Madfrog 16 Green
Lynney Tarnow MB 1st Alliance 16 Gold
Natalie Surges OH 1st Alliance 16 Gold
Katherine Byergo MB HPSTL 16 Royal
Eva Long S Legacy 16-1 Adidas
Meredith Martin L/DS Legacy 16-1 Adidas
Mallory Matheny S Mintonette Sports m.61
Layla Hoying OH Mintonette Sports m.61
Sara Snowbarger OH Mintonette Sports m.61
Mia Gold OH Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal
Lauren Garcia S/RS Alamo 16 Premier (2027)

Outlook: The 16 Open field is another one set up to deliver the goods. Mintonette is one of 11 ranked teams and is seeking its third qualifier victory to go with Sunshine and MEQ. Madfrog qualified at MEQ and is also safe. After that, the three bids are up for grabs. Legacy has had two prior shots at Sunshine and MEQ but took untimely losses and is still seeking a bid. Austin Skyline is playing in its first qualifier and figures to factor into the mix on the final day. 1st Alliance has been competitive all year and could walk away with a bid. AVC Cle has been playing well of late too and could make a run.

Prediction: It’s a tight field, but I’m picking Madfrog in an upset, taking down Mintonette in the final. Legacy and Austin Skyline tie for third to qualify, while AVC outlasts 1st Alliance for the final bid.

*****

15 OPEN

Number of Teams: 31

Number of Bids: 3

Previously-Qualified Teams (1): Legacy 15-1 Adidas

Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (10):

12. Legacy 15-1 Adidas MI
21. Premier Nebraska 15 Gold NE
23. 1st Alliance 15 Gold IL
26. Madfrog 15 Black TX
29. Austin Skyline 15 Royal TX
33. TAV 15 Fifer TX
40. Top Select 15 Elite FL
42. Mintonette Sports m.51 OH
45. Dynasty 15 Black KS
46. HPSTL 15 Royal MO

5-Star Players to Know:

Peyton Kubik OH Dynasty 15 Black
Allie Hudgins OH Austin Skyline 15 Royal

4-Star Players to Know:

Jenny Glushakov RS Top Select 15 Elite
Kyla Williams MB AVC Cle 15 Red
Peyton Heatherly S 1st Alliance 15 Gold
Bryn Meyer RS Mintonette Sports m.51
Emerson Butler S Austin Skyline 15 Royal
Reagan Wallraff MB Premier Nebraska 15 Gold
Kate Kalcynski OH Legacy 15-1 Adidas
Cynthina Ockerman MB Legacy 15-1 Adidas

Outlook: With Legacy the only team with a bid, 15 Open is going to be incredible to watch play out. That’s because the field is wide open. While there are 10 teams ranked in our Top 50, none are in the Top 10 and that’s going to bring unpredictably to the results. One storyline is watching if Madfrog Black or TAV Fifer can get a bid. They are actually seeded No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Austin Skyline are Premier Nebraska two more teams to watch for.

Prediction: My choice is Madfrog Black in a surprise, beating Austin Skyline in the final. Legacy and 1st Alliance tie for third, with 1st Alliance bringing home the last bid.

*****

14 OPEN

Number of Teams: 22

Number of Bids: 2

Previously-Qualified Teams (4): Circle City 14 Purple; AVC Cle 14 Red; Tribe 14 Elite Cardinal; HPSTL 14 Royal

Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (10):

2. HPSTL 14 Royal MO
8. Dynasty 14 Black KS
9. Circle City 14 Purple IN
14. AVC Cle 14 Red OH
15. Legacy 14-1 Adidas MI
25. Tribe 14 Elite Cardinal FL
26. Alamo 14 Premier TX
28. Mintonette Sports m.41 OH
39. Boss 14-1 OH
47. Sunshine 14 Westside CA

5-Star Players to Know:

Sarah Albers RS HPSTL 14 Royal

4-Star Players to Know:

Lia Ray OH Tribe 14 Elite Cardinal
Carsyn Chitty L/DS Mintonette Sports m.41
McKenzie Andrews MB Legacy 14-1 Adidas

Outlook: Four of the top six ranked clubs in the field from our Top 50 already have bids. That’s going to open things up for the rest of the group in 15 Open. Dynasty is going to be the leading favorite to grab one of the bids. Legacy is also up there. It’s a really great opportunity for teams to breakthrough and grab a bid. Alamo, Mintonette, Boss, Sunshine or an unranked team could leave happy with a timely victory or two.

Prediction: Circle City finished first at MEQ and I’m going with the club to take home another gold after beating HPSTL in the final. Dynasty and AVC tie for third, with Legacy and Mintonette getting the other two bids.