14s Division at 2023 GJNC Provides Memorable Moments

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 1, 2023) – TAV 14 Black (North Texas) won the  Open division as seven champions were crowned in the 14  division Saturday at the 2023 Girls Junior National Championship 14-17 in Chicago, Ill.

Saturday marked the first of two championship days in the McCormick Place Convention Center, this time for the 14 and 15 age groups. More “golden balls” will be handed out on July 6 for the 16 and 17 age groups.

The GJNC is the United States’ premier junior girls club tournament and attracts college scouts from across the country.

It is the first year that the 14-17 age divisions have been given a separate tournament and their numbers are greater than ever with 1,368 teams registered. There are now seven competitive divisions for each age group in the 14-17 divisions.

Results and Schedule
Seven Champions Crowned in 15s

14 Open

Two undefeated teams met on championship court to decide the 14 Open title.

TAV 14 Black had lost just two sets in the tournament, both in pool play. Arizona Storm 14 Thunder (Arizona) had dominated in similar fashion, losing just three sets en route to the final.

In the end, there could be only one, and TAV emerged victorious, 25-19, 25-16.

MadFrog 14s N Green (North Texas) and Skyline 14 Royal (North Texas) finished third.

14 National

KC Power 14 Black (Heart of America) defeated Miami Hype 14N Nekane (Florida), 25-22, 25-22, for the 14 National title.

KC Power had a tough semifinal match against AZ REV 14 Premier (Arizona), winning 15-11 in the third, but kept their energy up for the final match.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” KC head coach Grace Mize said. “The team really came together in a good way. All 10 players contributed in a really big way which is something we’ve been working toward all season. So, I’m just really proud of the girls and their fight and their love for each other.”

Mize also gave a shoutout to her club.

“KC Power is an awesome club, and the expectation is excellence,” she said. “So it makes us really proud that we can bring that home to our club and represent really well.”

Third place went to AZ Rev and WPVC 14 Armour Black (Florida).

14 USA

United 14s Evren (Southern California) went 11-0 in the tournament and defeated HJV 14 Elite (Lone Star), 26-24, 19-25, 15-9, in the final. It was the second straight three-set match for United; they beat FL Momentum 14U Neon Gold (Florida), 25-22, 19-25, 15-10, in the semi.

All in all, United powered through six three-set battles in the tournament.

FL Momentum and OPU 14 adidas (Florida) were third.

14 Liberty

The 14 Liberty final was a rematch, as STVA 14 Mizuno (Lone Star) and Tejas 14 Black Marco (North Texas) had faced each other in pool play. In that match, Tejas was the victor, but STVA turned the tables in the final for a 25-18, 25-22 win.

“This team has been on quite the journey,” STVA head coach Madison Arellano said. “They’ve worked so hard since day one. This is a goal they set for themselves the first practice of the year, and I’m so proud of all they’ve put in and everything they’ve accomplished. I can’t believe we’re actually here.”

Arellano also talked about the close-knit nature of the club.

“This team and club is my family,” she said. “They mean everything to me. My husband played for our club director. We are a family, this is my life, these are my girls. It’s everything.”

DME UA Elite 14-1 (Florida) and Flyers 14 APX-Andy (North Texas) were third.

14 American

Surfside 14 Loriann (Southern California) defeated TX Legacy 14 Elite (Lone Star), 25-18, 25-18, for the American title. Surfside dropped just one match in the tournament, a three-set loss to Dynasty 14 Black (Heart of America) in pool play.

Third place went to 1United 14N Gi (North Texas) and CYVBC Surge 14 Black (Ohio Valley).

14 Freedom

Club One AZ 14Platinum (Arizona) lost just one set en route to the Freedom title.

The team dropped that lone set in the semifinal against EVA 14 Elite (Delta). In the final, Club One defeated Elevation 14 Amy (Ohio Valley), 25-12, 25-18.

EVA finished third along with EXCEL 14 National Blue (North Texas).

14 Patriot

Houston Stellar 14 Elite (Lone Star) and Six Pack 14 (Iowa) played one of the most intense finals of the day, with Houston capturing the Patriot title, 30-28, 25-23.

Houston advanced to the final by winning 11 straight matches after losing to Webfoot 14 Elite (Chesapeake) to open the tournament. Six Pack, meanwhile, had been undefeated heading into the title match.

Club V 14 Ren Stef M (Intermountain) and Michio Chicago 14 National (Great Lakes) were third.