This is “Dots,” VolleyballMag’s weekly look at 10 things in club volleyball, past or present, that interest me and hopefully will interest you. Look for Dots every Tuesday through Junior Nationals this summer.
• The 11th of 16 national qualifiers for 18-year-old teams took place this past weekend at NEQ in Philly. Independence Hall, cheesesteaks (with whiz), the Rocky statue, Redding Terminal Market … it was all there, plus competitive volleyball. What more could anyone ask for?
• Metro 18 Travel won the 26-team 18 Open division, and three more teams, AZ Revolution 18 Premier, HJV 18 Elite and FC Elite 18 Elite, punched tickets to the Dance in Baltimore at the end of the next month.
Metro went 9-1 over the three days. The D.C. club, a previous qualifier, lost to AZ Revolution in straight sets on Day 2, but avenged the loss with a 25-23, 25-23 win in the championship match.
• AZ Revolution was 8-2 at NEQ after coming within one win of a bid at Salt Lake City. Carl DeFriez’ team went 2-1 on Day 1 in Philly, losing to Absolute 18 Black in three; then won six in a row to get to the finals, including the win over Metro on Day 2, which gave Revolution the No. 2 seed; and a revenge win later that day over Absolute in the first round of Gold Pool play..
“Leaving the gym that day we had a ton of confidence heading into the next morning,” said DeFriez.
AZ Revolution completed its 3-0 Gold Pool showing on Sunday with wins over previous-qualifier Houston Skyline 18 Royal and FC Elite to secure its Open bid.
“I’m really proud of all of our players,” DeFriez said. “We only have 10 on the roster and everyone stepped up at key moments and owned their role to make this happen. I can honestly say we would not have done this without every player on the team.”
Libero Piper Rama, setter Tristen Raymond and OH Evan Hendrix were particularly effective.
“Evan is a returning player from last year’s roster that won 3rd in 18 Open at Nationals,” DeFriez said. “She had an amazing weekend in helping to inspire and bring the best out of her teammates.”
• The qualifying effort of Houston Juniors 18 Elite was nothing short of remarkable. Jenny Adcock’s squad upgraded its USA bid to Open with a gritty performance, led by lights out play from setter Taryn Gilreath and RS Mariana…
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