COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 9, 2024) – USA Volleyball handed out titles in 14 divisions Saturday in the first wave of the 2024 Girls Junior 14-17s National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.
The 16-17s age group began competition on July 3 and finished to cheering fans July 6, including a standing room only crowd for the 17 Open final between Arizona Storm and Houston Skyline.
Nine regions claimed national championships in the first wave: Arizona, Delta, Florida, Intermountain (2), Heart of America (2), Iowa, Lone Star, North Texas (2) and Southern California (3).
17 Open
The 17 Open division was packed with athletes who also participate in the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program. Arizona Storm 17 Thunder, which won 16 Open last year, had two age-group national team athletes: Teraya Sigler, who won gold at the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championship and was most recently on the U.S. Women’s U21 National Team that won gold at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship; and Devyn Wiest, who is on the 2024 Girls U19 National Team that is headed to Honduras at the end of this week for the NORCECA Continental Championship.
In the semifinal, Arizona Storm took down 1st Alliance 17 Gold (Great Lakes) in three sets. Abby Vander Wal of 1st Alliance was teammates with Sigler on both the 2023 U19 Worlds team and the 2024 U21 NORCECA team. 1st Alliance libero Aniya Warren is teammates with Wiest on the 2024 Girls U19 NORCECA team.
Storm met Houston Skyline 17 Royal (Lone Star) in the final. Houston had come off a three-set semifinal win over Dallas Skyline 17 Royal (North Texas) to reach the championship match. The final was as evenly matched as expected. Houston won the first set, 26-24, followed by Storm taking set two, 27-25. The third set was close throughout until a Sigler kill sealed the deal for Storm.
16 Open
SCVC 16Roxy (Southern California) went 11-0 and lost just three sets en route to the 16 Open title. SCVC included outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, 2024 Girls U19 National Team athlete and an all-tournament selection.
In the final, SCVC defeated 1st Alliance 16 Gold (Great Lakes), 25-20, 27-25.
“It’s one of the coolest moments ever, to as a team to win something like that,” SCVC setter Milly McGee said. “It was really fun to play together one last time. All 11 of us, we played our hardest; we fought. We were all tired but we still somehow managed to push through.”
The competition continues July 8 with the 14-15 age groups.
Champions
17 Open: Arizona Storm 17 Thunder (Arizona)
17 National: Adrenaline 17 Ben (Iowa)
17 USA: Excel 17 National White (North Texas)
17 American: SG Elite 17 Roshambo (Southern California)
17 Liberty: 501 Volley 17.1 National (Delta)
17 Freedom: Red Rock Heat 17-1 Robyn Intermountain
17 Patriot: Idaho One 17 Elite (Intermountain)
16 Open: SCVC 16Roxy (Southern California)
16 National: Mavs 816 16-1 (Heart of America)
16 USA: Integrity 16 Intense Blue (North Texas)
16 American: Dynasty 16 Black (Heart of America)
16 Liberty: Gainesville Juniors 16 Eric (Florida)
16 Freedom: Alamo 16 Premier (Lone Star)
16 Patriot: Surfside 16 Legends Wyatt (Southern California)