RECAP: AAU 18U Junior National Volleyball Championships
05/28/2019
AAU Volleyball hosted 81 teams and crowned four champions during the AAU Girls 18U Junior National Volleyball Championships, May 25-27.
Dates: May 25 - 27
Location: Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL
Results | Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fl. – Over Memorial Day weekend, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Volleyball hosted the AAU Girls 18U Junior National Volleyball Championships, marking the first year AAU separated the 18 and under division to allow college-bound high school seniors the opportunity to compete for one more club championship before reporting to their respective collegiate programs.
“Playing in our last tournament for AAU Volleyball, the time as flown by,” said Jessica Mruzik from Legacy 18 Elite. “It feel like just yesterday I was in my 12-0 [team], and now, I am finishing my AAU career playing with 18s.”
The national tournament saw 78 teams, 800 athletes, compete at the Orange Center Convention Center (OCCC). The four different divisions, 18 Open, 18 Premiere, 18 Club and 18 Classic, started with pool play on Saturday, May 25 with single elimination bracket play beginning on Monday, May 27.
Competition on the courts was pretty tough. Teams were pitted against some of the top athletes in the nation. “We [had to fight] really hard every match, and each day got harder and harder as it went on, so we are just really happy that we came out on top,” said Katherine Shook of Southern Performance 18 Red, who won the 18 Club Champion title.
Twenty-three teams were awarded over the weekend, and four were crowned National Champions during an award ceremony Monday afternoon. Champions are listed below:
18U Classic Champion – Southern Performance 16 National Julie
18U Club Champion – Southern Performance 18 Red
18U Open Champion – Legacy 18-Elite
18 Premier Champion – Sports Performance 18 Kahl
Full list of results can be found here.
“[The tournament] was really fun,” said Lilly Clements from Asics Kiva 17/18 White. “It was also bitter sweet though since I am a senior, so it was my last tournament playing for club ever. It means a lot just because I know everyone is here to watch and cheer. It is a lot of blood, sweat and tears on the court.”
Also for the first year, AAU Volleyball hosted a banquet in honor of the players in the 18U division on Friday, May 25. At the banquet, 49 athletes were recognized for five or more years as an AAU member. The Bob Blanford Longevity Award was given to Wes Lyon and Ron Kordes for their dedicated abundance of time to the AAU and its mission. Sindee Snow and Yvonne Delvin received the Debby Batz Leadership Award for demonstrating tremendous guidance, management and assistance to further the AAU mission with pride. And the AAU Volleyball Impact Award for honoring a player(s) that has had an impact with AAU, their school and their community went to Macey McGinnis, ST7 18U, and Piper Halcrow, K2 Adidas Andre.
Up next for AAU Volleyball is the culminating and largest event for the 2018-19 season, the 46th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, June 16-28. For more information on the national championships click here.
Make sure to follow us on social media to get the latest news and updates. Twitter: @AAUVolleyball Instagram: @AAUVolleyball Facebook: RealAAUVolleyball
Location: Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL
Results | Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fl. – Over Memorial Day weekend, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Volleyball hosted the AAU Girls 18U Junior National Volleyball Championships, marking the first year AAU separated the 18 and under division to allow college-bound high school seniors the opportunity to compete for one more club championship before reporting to their respective collegiate programs.
“Playing in our last tournament for AAU Volleyball, the time as flown by,” said Jessica Mruzik from Legacy 18 Elite. “It feel like just yesterday I was in my 12-0 [team], and now, I am finishing my AAU career playing with 18s.”
The national tournament saw 78 teams, 800 athletes, compete at the Orange Center Convention Center (OCCC). The four different divisions, 18 Open, 18 Premiere, 18 Club and 18 Classic, started with pool play on Saturday, May 25 with single elimination bracket play beginning on Monday, May 27.
Competition on the courts was pretty tough. Teams were pitted against some of the top athletes in the nation. “We [had to fight] really hard every match, and each day got harder and harder as it went on, so we are just really happy that we came out on top,” said Katherine Shook of Southern Performance 18 Red, who won the 18 Club Champion title.
Twenty-three teams were awarded over the weekend, and four were crowned National Champions during an award ceremony Monday afternoon. Champions are listed below:
18U Classic Champion – Southern Performance 16 National Julie
18U Club Champion – Southern Performance 18 Red
18U Open Champion – Legacy 18-Elite
18 Premier Champion – Sports Performance 18 Kahl
Full list of results can be found here.
“[The tournament] was really fun,” said Lilly Clements from Asics Kiva 17/18 White. “It was also bitter sweet though since I am a senior, so it was my last tournament playing for club ever. It means a lot just because I know everyone is here to watch and cheer. It is a lot of blood, sweat and tears on the court.”
Also for the first year, AAU Volleyball hosted a banquet in honor of the players in the 18U division on Friday, May 25. At the banquet, 49 athletes were recognized for five or more years as an AAU member. The Bob Blanford Longevity Award was given to Wes Lyon and Ron Kordes for their dedicated abundance of time to the AAU and its mission. Sindee Snow and Yvonne Delvin received the Debby Batz Leadership Award for demonstrating tremendous guidance, management and assistance to further the AAU mission with pride. And the AAU Volleyball Impact Award for honoring a player(s) that has had an impact with AAU, their school and their community went to Macey McGinnis, ST7 18U, and Piper Halcrow, K2 Adidas Andre.
Up next for AAU Volleyball is the culminating and largest event for the 2018-19 season, the 46th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, June 16-28. For more information on the national championships click here.
Make sure to follow us on social media to get the latest news and updates. Twitter: @AAUVolleyball Instagram: @AAUVolleyball Facebook: RealAAUVolleyball
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