Indianapolis, Ind. (July 3, 2016) – The 2016 edition of the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championship wrapped up on Sunday with five divisions of 16s contested.
This year’s event featured over 45,000 volleyball players, family and friends descending on downtown Indianapolis, including 1,263 teams (second-most ever), nearly 13,000 athletes, and 400 college coaches on hand to scout prospects.
With the 18 Open, National and USA Divisions moved to the Spring GJNCs for the first time in late April, this year’s Girls’ Juniors had room to accommodate 36 teams in the USA Division, up from 32, and 64 teams in the American division, up from 48.
16 Open
A5 Mizuno 16-1 Gabe (SO) won the 16 Open national title, beating AZ EVJ 16N1 (AZ) 25-21, 25-18.
Division MVP Riley Fischer of A5 Mizuno said, “It’s pretty awesome. I’m so happy that I won it with my teammates.
What makes a good teammate? “Someone who is always reliable and they’re hard working and they’re willing to give up their personal needs for the team.
Who is most like that? “Avery Cason. She’s pretty crazy all the time. She’s wild. She’s just really funny and outgoing, always lifts the team up. “
16 American
Club V Black EP (IM) defeated OT 16 Asics Blue (FL), 25-23 25-21, to capture the 16 American title.
Division MVP Madelyn Robinson of Club V said that her team was made up of good people who like to work and that includes running stairs after 6 a.m. practices.
What makes a good teammate? “They’ all there to work, but nobody slacks. Everybody is there to work.” Who is most like that? “Oh, I don’t know … everyone.”
16 National
Elevation 16 Garcia (OV) won the 16 National title, beating Tribe 16 Elite Katie (FL), 25-18, 25-22.
Division MVP Anna Brinkmann of Elevation likes a great attitude.
What makes a good teammate? “Oh, anyone with a great attitude. They just go all out on the court, always giving positive energy. I think a person who always gives their all. They just have a great attitude.
Who is most like that? “I think one of our right side blockers, Grace Hauck. She always comes on with a great attitude. She might not get to play a lot, but when she does, she always makes the best of it. Always has the best attitude on the court.”
16 Patriot
LAVA North 16 Adidas (SC) defeated KJ 16 Baden (PS), 25-16, 27-25, to win the 16 Patriot division national title.
Kiora Sanchez of LAVA handled the question, what makes a good teammate? “I think that a good teammate is someone who really encourages everyone else on the court. And it’s not just being a good teammate when someone gets a kill. Helping everyone stay positive when we make a mistake.”
Who is most like that? “I think our libero, Elizabeth (Gannon), we call her Tiny. I think she’s a really good teammate because she’s really encouraging. She always tells you what you can do better, but not in a bossy way. It’s just, ‘Hey, you got this.’ She just really positive all the time.”
Kiora was standing with three teammates dying to add something.
Do the three of you have something amazing to add to that answer?
“Kiora got it,” said Tori Ashkinos.
Kalani Patrick added, “She was spot on.”
Lauryn Shockley explained how winning the title felt.
“It felt great. We all worked together. We came into this tournament wanting to get goal and we succeeded and we couldn’t be any more proud of each other. On our first day we came to the championship court and we just sat there. We said, ‘this is where we want to be.’
“In every game we didn’t give up, we fought through no matter what challenges were brought to us in each and every game, we stuck together as a team.”
16 USA
AsicsWillowbrook 16 Gold (LS) won the 16 USA title, beating Club H 16 – Craig (SC), 22-25, 25-22, 15-13.
Division MVP Camryn Kotlarz of Willowbrook said, “It was amazing to be able to play with my team in this tournament and to be able to win with them was an amazing moment.
What makes a good teammate? “Pushing each other and supporting each other. Being there for them and supporting them in everything they do and the choices they make.
Who is most like that? “Natalie Martin. She’s a very good teammate. She always pushes me and tells me to go hard. It really encourages me to do better on the court.”
Today’s Medalists
16 Open
Gold: A5 Mizuno 16-1 Gabe (SO)
Silver: AZ EVJ 16N1 (AZ)
Bronze: Tstreet 16-Mike (SC)
Bronze: TAV 16 Black (NT)
16 American
Gold: Club V 16 Black EP (IM)
Silver: OT 16 Asics Blue (FL)
Bronze: NIVA BB4 (HO)
Bronze: TVC 16-1 Antonio (OV)
16 National
Gold: Elevation 16 Garcia (OV)
Silver: Tribe 16 Elite Katie (FL)
Bronze: FORZA1 16 Asics Red (SC)
Bronze: Northern Lights 16-1 (NO)
16 Patriot
Gold: LAVA North 16 Adidas (SC)
Silver: KJ 16 Baden (PS)
Bronze: The Diff 16 Black (RM)
Bronze: Michio Chicago 16 Prem (GL)
16 USA
Gold: AsicsWillowbrook 16 Gold (LS)
Silver: Club H 16 – Craig (SC)
Bronze: AP 16 Gazelle (LS)
Bronze: Encore Navy 16-1 (NC)
2016 USAV GJNC Medalists
(all divisions)
11 Patriot … Gold: Dynasty 11 Black (HA)
Silver: Boiler Juniors 11U (HO); Bronze: OT 11 Asics Red (FL); Bronze: Skyline 11 Royal (NT)
12 National … Gold: GVA/Mizuno White 12U
Silver: Dynasty 12 Black (HA); Bronze: Arizona Storm 12 Thunder (AZ); Bronze: OT 12 Asics Longwood (FL)
12 American … Gold: JJVA Team Rox 12 N Robin (FL)
Silver: Flyers 12 Rox-Bill (NT); Bronze: Rockford 12 Black (GL); Bronze: Boomers 12 Black (FL)
13 Open … Gold: TAV 13 Black (NT)
Silver: Coast 13-1 Luis (SC); Bronze: Madfrog 13’s N Blue (NT); Bronze: Sunshine 13 Westside (SC)
13 National … Gold: Alamo 13 Premier (LS)
Silver: CVC 13 Black (OV); Bronze: Sky High 13 Black (GL); Bronze: NKYVC 13-1 Tsunami (PR)
13 American … Gold: Flyers 13 Rox-Bill (NT)
Silver: Vegas Aces 13 Black (SC); Bronze: Mintonette Sports – m.32 (OV); Bronze: TVC 13-1 Pitzen (OV)
14 Open … Gold: OT 14 Asics Red (FL)
Silver: Mintonette Sports (OV); Bronze: Dynasty 14 Black (HA); Bronze: Wave 14 Tammy (SC)
14 National … Gold: Premier 14 Gold (GP)
Silver: Gainesville 14 Elite (FL); Bronze: Aspire 14 Rox (AZ); Bronze: KC Power (HA)
14 American … Gold: Club H 14 Kevin (SC)
Silver: Shockwave VB Academy F14 (HA); Bronze: Nebraska Elite 14 Havoc (GP); Bronze: CinciVB Acad 14-1 Conley (OV)
14 USA … Gold: Elevation 14-1 (OV)
Silver: Six Pack 14 (IA); Bronze: OT 14 Asics White (FL); Bronze: Instinct 14 Leopards Wild G (NT)
14 Patriot … Gold: Elevation 14 O’Connor (OV)
Silver: SASVBC 14 Red (AH); Bronze: Boost14 (PS); Bronze: LAVA West 14 Adidas (SC)
15 Open … Gold: Arizona Storm 15 Thunder (AZ)
Silver: Coast 15-1 Luis (SC); Bronze: Lonestar 15 EP (NT); Bronze: Circle City 15 Purple (HO)
15 National … Gold: Tstreet 15-Curtis (SC)
Silver: Crossfire MN 15-1 (NO); Bronze: Premier Nebraska 15 Gold (GP); Bronze: FC Elite 15 Navy (BG)
15 American … Gold: Revolution 15-1 National (LS)
Silver: Five Stars 15-1 (NC); Bronze: OT 15 Tampa Asics Red (FL); Bronze: Zenith 3rd Degree 15 Apex (OV)
15 USA … Gold: SA Magic 15 Elite (LS)
Silver: Mintonette Sports – m.52 (OV); Bronze: PVA 15 Elite (HA); Bronze: Cape Coast 15 Elite (FL)
15 Patriot … Gold: AZ EVJ 15N2 (AZ)
Silver: Empowered 15 A1 Elite (HO); Bronze: Team Piko Maka Lena 14-1 (AH); Bronze: HJV 15 Premier (LS)
16 Open … Gold: A5 Mizuno 16-1 Gabe (SO)
Silver: AZ EVJ 16N1 (AZ); Bronze: Tstreet 16-Mike (SC); Bronze: TAV 16 Black (NT)
16 National … Gold: Elevation 16 Garcia (OV)
Silver: Tribe 16 Elite Katie (FL); Bronze: FORZA1 16 Asics Red (SC); Bronze: Northern Lights 16-1 (NO)
16 American … Gold: Club V 16 Black EP (IM)
Silver: OT 16 Asics Blue (FL); Bronze: NIVA BB4 (HO); Bronze: TVC 16-1 Antonio (OV)
16 USA … Gold: AsicsWillowbrook 16 Gold (LS)
Silver: Club H 16 – Craig (SC); Bronze: AP 16 Gazelle (LS); Bronze: Encore Navy 16-1 (NC)
16 Patriot … Gold: LAVA North 16 Adidas (SC)
Silver: KJ 16 Baden (PS); Bronze: The Diff 16 Black (RM); Bronze: Michio Chicago 16 Prem (GL)
17 Open … Gold: TAV 17 Black (NT)
Silver: HJV 17 Elite (LS); Bronze: Top Select 17 Elite Blake (FL); Bronze: Rockwood Thunder 17Mizuno (GW)
17 National … Gold: NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami (PR)
Silver: Topeka Impact 17-1 (HA); Bronze: Alamo 17 Premier (LS); Bronze: CIA 17 Black (IA)
17 American … Gold: MADFROG 17’s N BLUE (NT)
Silver: Rancho Valley 17Premier (SC); Bronze: Invasion 17-Black (HA); Bronze: Brazos Valley 17 National (LS)
17 USA … Gold: Club H 17-Kevin (SC)
Silver: TAV 17 Blue (NT); Bronze: TX Tornados 17 Mizuno (LS); Bronze: DYNASTY 17 Black (HA)
17 Patriot … Gold: Spiral 17 Under Armour (AZ)
Silver: CVA Colorado 17 Roshambo (RM); Bronze: LAVA South 17 Adidas (SC); Bronze: NIVA FLAME (HO)
18 American … Gold: Xcel 18X Select (CR)
Silver: Rockwood Thunder 18 Navy (GW); Bronze: VA Juniors 18 Elite (CH); Bronze: Club H 18 – Bill (SC)