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18s National Club Rankings: A First Look for 2008 |
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Written by John Tawa
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Wednesday, 13 February 2008 |
 I know how you feel, Christine Hartmann. Photo by www.arcticferret.us
I’m sad today. Usually when the first club rankings of the season are released, I am excited, jovial, thrilled to be starting another great club season. But not this year. Because we have a system that’s broken, one that could bring the nation’s best teams together to decide a national championship in 2008, but won’t.
I am not interested in pointing fingers. There’s blame to go around on all sides for why clubs involved with the Junior Volleyball Director’s Association (JVDA) determined that they’d rather play among themselves than participate in the USA Volleyball-based National Qualifier system. But there’s no doubt that it casts a pall on this season and these rankings.
In the past, I could take national club rankings a lot less seriously. They were for talk, largely, because the Junior Olympic championships at the end would determine the best team in the land. But now that several prominent Midwest clubs – 10 in the top 40 by my count, including the top two – won’t be part of it, the actual placement of teams becomes more meaningful, because at the end of the year, both the Junior Olympic winner and the JVDA winner will claim national supremacy. We used to be able to decide the national champion on the court. This year's champ will only be mythical.
There’s also a testiness permeating the club scene these days. PrepVolleyball’s rankings, and club coverage in general, were places I could lampoon anyone and everyone, all in good fun, of course, and we could all have a little chuckle or full on guffaw. But these days, it’s all so serious. Heck, Dan Rydell (not a real person) wrote a tongue-in-cheek piece, “Making (non)-Sense of the JVDA,” and some JVDA member clubs were urging a boycott of PrepVolleyball.com as a result! (They must have forgotten, of course, Rydell’s lampoon of the National Qualifier manual a couple of years earlier. Rydell is nothing if not an equal-opportunity offender). Is Golden West’s Craig Pazanti the only one I can make fun of without fear of reprisal?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I am hopeful that this is a one-year phenomenon; and that USA Volleyball will adopt enough of the JVDA suggestions for change as to bring everyone back together again. Because it’s going to be awfully sad to see the 18 Open final in Dallas and know that Sports Performance won’t be walking in, single file, with its new uniforms with the secret slogans on them; or that Z won’t get a chance to defend in its new forest green duds, or that we won’t see a blast from KiVA’s Kaitlynn James, or a sweet set from St. Louis CYC’s Nicole Tate, or a crushing block from Munciana’s Christiana Gray. Do you realize that in this age group, Munciana won 14 Open in 2004, St. Louis CYC took it in 2005, Sports Performance won it all in 2006 and Team Z was crowned champs in 2007 and NONE of those teams will be at JOs this year? Sad, sad, sad. Something must be done. Hopefully, it will be. And soon.
Despite my sadness, I have attempted to shoulder on in the same tradition as club rankings’ past. What that means is that these rankings are still largely for entertainment and discussion purposes. They are not high school rankings that are going to be regurgitated by the mainstream media. My credibility is not at stake if I move teams around the rankings to fuel debate or rivalries, to boost a team with morale issues or dock a team that needs someone to be mad at. It’s all in fun. So, I don’t talk much about how high someone can jump or how many kills they’ll have in a match, but try to be whimsical where I can and poke fun where I can. If there’s something you don’t get at first, it’s probably some lame pun I’m trying to pull off.
Now, for those of you new to PrepVolleyball.com, you may not know that I utilize a “Club Rankings Team” to assist me with these rankings. The 132 folks on the team are kind-hearted, hard-working folks with one common goal: to see that their teams are as high in the rankings as possible. Actually, there is another goal as well: to make sure their local rivals are as low in the rankings as possible. (That’s not true, but it sure feels that way sometimes).
I want to thank the CRT publicly for all they’ve done to help the past few years. Your jobs will be tougher now with our fractured system, but I trust you will continue to give your honest assessment of the teams in order to manufacture what little credibility these rankings have.
That’s it! Because the rankings are meant to be fun, so too are the blurbs, I hope, and the nicknames, which I have made up to go with the club name.
And now…dig and roll please…the rankings!
Initial 2008 National 18s Club Rankings
1. Team Z 3 Roadsters (Ohio)
We went with Z to top the 17s rankings a year ago and they did not disappoint, steamrolling through JOs to a 17 Open title. All the key players are back and a talented twosome has come on board: Sharon Strizak from Dayton Juniors to put up a massive block on the right and MB Rachel Krabacher, a PrepVolleyball.com High School and Academic All-American. Some will view this as a controversial choice at the top, since Team Z has never won a national title in this age group when Sports Performance has owned a virtual monopoly on it, winning four of the last five years. But we’re not afraid to go out on a limb (although by going with Z, that limb’s pretty sturdy). After winning it all last year, anything less than a title at Z’s last tourney of the year, might have Libby Walter labeling the season less than a complete success.
2. Sports Performance Issues (Illinois)
Of the 10 players on SPVB 18-Elite, seven have USAV national championship rings. Three, including back to back Open MVP Kelly Murphy, have two. And no one does a better job of motivating seniors to play than Sports Performance. No one. The only downer is the Spri won’t be back to defend its Junior Olympic championship. Like many elite Midwest teams, SPVB has elected to go the JVDA route. Oh well. At least players like Megan Barnicle can cling to the memory of last year’s championship.
3. SCVC Shwazzzz (California)
If the chemistry is good and the players put the team first, SCVC can play all year like the team that dominated the Epic MLK scrimmage a few weeks ago. Falyn Fonoimoana, MVP of the California Division II finals, Jaz Orozco, MVP of the California Division I finals, and Dana Hutchinson, PrepVolleyball.com All American, give the Schwazzzz stupendous firepower on the pins. That should open up the middle for the likes of Taylor Moore and her signature chant after a kill: “Moore, Moore, Moore, how do you like it, how do you like it?”
4. Imi Ike Woods (Hawaii)
Word from the Islands is this may be an even better team than the 18s edition that lost only to Long Beach Mizuno heading to JOs and gave Sports Performance its toughest test before the finals. Volleyball Mag national player of the year Kanani Herring returns for this squad along with two others. They are joined by a slew of talented kids from Asics Rainbows, including libero Sydney Yogi, who can be un-Berra-ble. Is it true she once said “Volleyball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical?”
5. Team Complete Athlete My Bubbles (California)
TCA has so many talented athletes that it could form two elite 18s teams this year. Stand by, because its website lists all 18 players on BOTH TCA Third Degree Black and TCA Third Degree Pink. Still we are confident that whichever group goes to JOs as the top team will have the goods to compete at every position. We could ask coach/director Neil Mason what his intentions are, but that would mean having to get on the phone with him…and the rankings might not come out until after President’s Day (Dude likes to talk).
6. Vision Quests (California)
There are so many tall kids on this team that 6-6 Amanda Gil is hardly a fish out of water. There are, however, several under 6-0. The team even found a slot for Asia Casino!
7. Munciana Green Gables (Indiana)
It’s interesting that seven of the 12 players on this roster are not from the Muncie area, but instead reside in a suburban area known as “Indianapolis.” Such is the pull of the famed volleyball teacher Mike Lingenfelter, who is developing a cult-like vollow-ing in the Hoosier State.
8. Texas Advantage Miles (Texas)
A national title contender the past two years, TAV has started off 2008 on a hot streak, just as they did the previous two seasons. Two of the stalwarts of seasons’ past, Chelsea Ringel and Stephanie Minnerly are saying “Howdy” in College Station, but there’s plenty of talent back, including the Kirk sisters, the Jordan twins and the Coppell triplets and a Neice from Allen.
9. Club Fusion For a Bruisin (Illinois)
Last year’s very successful 17 Black team adds two holdover stars from the very successful 18s team and a great young coach in Eric Schulze. Schulze will load up at the net with Jordan Haverly, Elle Ohlander and Kathryn Chrystal and, if that’s not enough, he’ll give you Flach from the back row, Brianne Flach.
10. Laguna Matata (California)
The Fiesta Classic winners can get you so many ways, Cramm-ing it down your throats in the middle (with Lauren Cramm)and taking Manley swings on the outside (Sara Manley, that is). If that’s not enough, Frenchy Silva will lick ya from the back row.
11. M1 for the Money, Two for the Show… (Minnesota)
When Tigers Woods got married, many thought he would be distracted from winning so many majors. That proved to be incorrect, which is welcome news for M1, because Thanh Pham, “Best Coach” at the PrepVolleyball.com Classic, got married last month. If he’s focused, added size and consistent ball control should have this team contending in every tourney they enter.
12. Santa Barbara Boxer (California)
This young team is all grown up and now it’s time to see what they can do. In Notre Dame-bound OH Kristen Dealy, they have a player who can hit the ball hard or, if need be, give it a little Irish.
13. Illini Elite Models (Illinois)
With Amanda Beyer and Rachel Hockaday swinging from the outside, this team will defeat most girls’ teams this year. And with unsigned senior Michelle Phillips in the back court, they can also beat Mamas and Papas!
14. Austin City Limits (Texas)
Austin Juniors has been dominating the Tour of Texas. With several new and hungry additions, the thinking is this team, which hasn’t seen Open success at this age group since Houston, will show up in force with JOs back in its home state this summer.
15. Nike Northwest Territories (Oregon)
The Festival champs at 16s two years ago and 17s last year are making a run at Junior Olympics in 2008. They promise to be bigger in the middle with 6-3 Eliza Pledger and return the Gatorade Player of the Year for Oregon. At 6-4, she’s Kim “One Tree” Hill (who said I couldn’t be contemporary with my references?)
16. Sunshine On My Shoulders (California)
Given the nickname, this team would do very well in Denver, were it playing there. Of course, OH Alex Jupiter is all world!
17. Invasion SWAT Flies (Missouri)
I could tell you who the new setter is for this team, but it be a Guess (Amanda Guess). Janelle Branch in the middle is tree-mendous.
18. Sports Shack O’Neal (California)
This team has serious talent, even if a Kidder is among them. UCLA-bound attacker Rachael Kidder, that is.
19. Epic Movie (California)
Amy Webster has returned to form after a devastating knee injury and Coach Ozh has two Plums, including sophomore setting star, Lauren, to tucker you out.
20. Southwest Illinois Vey! (Illinois)
SWI finished third behind CYC and TSL in the UMSL, but most think this will be the best team by year end. One huge reason is St. Charles import Calli Norman, an Xplosive player in the middle.
21. KiVA Lee Under the Mat (Kentucky)
Getting big Gwen Rucker to play the middle was a huge step for talented KiVA teams, which often dominate the younger age groups but struggle at the 18s. This team, which finished second to Z at JOs a year ago, would be a lot higher if setter Stephanie Riley, who has captained this ship for years, hadn’t sustained a season-ending knee injury.
22. St. Louis CYC U Later (Missouri)
This tight-knit team took a hit when 6-3 MB Anna Eytchison left early for college, but players will not rest, even with Maddy Hammack on the court.
23. Texas Tornados Off (Texas)
This is the Mizuno team, which once again has started slower than the also-talented Tornados Black squad. There are many critics of this squad, which was ranked eighth in the pre-season Texas rankings by LoneStarVolleyball.com, but I’m not one of them. You add two top 10 national recruits in Jessica Walker and Allison McNeal to a team that should have earned an Open bid a year ago and this team, coach by Tara Cross-Battle, just has to be one of the best by year’s end.
24. Cal Cue Laters (California)
Arizona import Cat Highmark, the Arizona Player of the Year in the Cactus State, will have Cal Juniors on the prowl again this season.
25. Front Range Rovers (Colorado)
Some players have left the Range, but the ones who returned can turn up the gas, including Courtney Karst, Ann Dylla and Ariana Filho. Front Range has underwhelmed at this age group since winning it all in 2002. But you look at that roster and you just have to believe a return to prominence is in order.
26. Circle City Slickers (Indiana)
Happiness is a McKayla Barber cut shot.
27. Force Field (California)
The same team that triple qualified last year as 17s is back and doing well early, including a 2nd place finish at the California Kickoff. Have you seen MB Marissa Plummer? She has a hose!
28. Golden Bear Necessities (California)
Five players return from last year’s 18 Open team, including Gatorade California Player of the Year Tarah Murrey. Among the newcomers is versatile senior Ashley Roe. She’s a good egg.
29. Sports Performance Anxiety (Illinois)
SPVB Red has a stacked roster in 2008 that includes two fine setters, left-handed Annie Luhrsen and righty Erica Behm to add balance.
30. Northern Lights Camera, Action! (Minnesota)
Here’s another roster I look at and think, “These players are too good to accept being barely Open participants.” They’re going to Italy this spring. Maybe they’ll learn to pasta ball? [Groan]
31. NVA Okay (Nebraska)
The 2007 17 National champs are a lot better on paper than last year’s team, with All-State players up and down the lineup. The only thing this team lacks is size. Despite the presence of Tali Frederickson, only two players are taller than 5-11.
32. Piedmont Triad Ding Salt (North Carolina)
A huge get well to Brittany Blackman, who suffered a serious knee injury early in the season. Piedmont will shoulder on without you, aided by newcomers Meagan Tatum at the net and Kelly Wood, a defensive whiz who’s great in the 20 x 30 area that is the back court (and even better in a 2 x 4).
33. Team St. Louis Leakey (Missouri)
If this team, with two new middles and a new back court, is going to pull itself into Open contention, it will have to have a get a big year from attacker Rachal Yanker.
34. Alliance and Tigers and Bears Oh My (Illinois)
An Open qualifier a year ago, athletic First Alliance will rely heavily on two great but very different setters, Alex Blatt and Melissa Joyce.
35. Golden West Early Winds (California)
This team should be powerful in the middle with Ariel Beetstra, Christine Douglas and Lily Lopez. Off all the outside hitters on this roster, I like Brittany Best.
36. MAVA Less (Kentucky)
Paul Bowling’s the coach of these undersized scrappers, making this a team right up his alley.
37. A5 For Fighting (Georgia)
This team of athletes is a peach! If Olympia Haney’s actual first name was “Olympus,” they’d have a left-side tandem that would go from heavens to Betsy. (Betsy Smith, that is).
38. Rancho Valley Girls (California)
Danny Scott’s got another great team in the Inland Empire, sparked by 6-2 freshman Krista Vansant on the outside. And Rancho has a 6-2 player who was born to be a middle, none other than 6-2 senior middle Samantha Middleborn!
39. Skyline Chili (Texas)
Open qualifiers the past two years, this Skyline edition is perennially overlooked. Well, we’re looking harder this year with a roster that returns seven from last year’s team but felt it had to add four explosive newcomers, including Lunden Azuara, to compete. That’s just a sign of the Thames, I guess.
40. Nebraska Elite Anything (Nebraska)
The Open qualifier known as “Raw,” returns nine, including a senior right side identified as Keelin Bourne.
ON THE BUBBLE (in order) [Rule: you have to be written about to earn a nickname]: 41. 951 Elite (California) [A big hit for this squad is known as a “Rip Krenwinkel”]; 42. Amarillo (Texas) [Four key players are gone, but any team with Barker’s got bite]; 43. Coastal Virginia (Virginia) [Kim Maroon won’t leave this team stranded]; 44. Triangle (North Carolina) [6-6 sophomore Katie Slay will be murder on opponents]; 45. Minnesota Select (Minnesota) [Be sure to get out of Harms’ way]; 46. Colorado Juniors (Colorado) [They have an outside hitter who’s Randee, baby!]; 47. Spokane Splash (Washington) [Sophomore star Olgard is the new guard]; 48. Long Beach Mizuno (California) [Athletic team counting on Tara Roenicke to keep them down to earth]; 49. Network (Indiana) [Transfers from Dunes makes this collaboration potentially formidable]; 50. Team Atlantis (Ohio) [Have struggled early, but the Black Sheep will be baa-aaack]
Fifty-seven (57) other teams that received strong (or at least some) consideration (in alphabetical order): A.C.E. (Ohio), Alamo (Texas), Arizona Juniors (Arizona), AVA of Texas (Texas), Carolina Juniors (North Carolina), Celtic Force (Illinois), City Beach (California), Clash (Virginia), Cleveland Volleyball Company (Ohio), Club Fusion White (Illinois), Club Idaho (Idaho), Club Red (Arizona), Club South (South Carolina), Columbus Volleyball Academy (Ohio), Dayton Juniors (Ohio), Extec (Texas), FaR Out (Michigan), Gold Cal (California), High Country (Utah), Houston Juniors (Texas), IPVA (Iowa), KC Power (Kansas), KiVA White (Kentucky), KJ (Washington), Laguna Beach 18-2 (California), Legacy (Michigan), M-Juniors (Michigan), Main Beach (California), Milwaukee Sting (Wisconsin), Niagara Frontier (New York), Nike Six Pack (Iowa), NKYVC (Kentucky), Norco (Colorado), Oklahoma Peak Performance (Oklahoma), Orange County (California), OVA (Florida), Premier (Ohio), Puget Sound (Washington), Renaissance (Pennsylvania), Revolution (Pennsylvania), Richmond Volleyball Club (Virginia), Saddleback Valley (California), Santa Monica Beach Club (California), Sky High (Illinois), South Shore (Texas), Sports Performance White (Illinois), Tampa United (Florida), Team Indiana (Indiana), Team Texas Elite (Texas), Team Z Navy (Ohio), Texas Tornados Black (Texas), Toledo Volleyball Club (Ohio), Virginia Elite (Virginia), Vision 18-2 (California), Volley Fx (New York), Willowbrook (Texas), WVBA (Washington)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 February 2008 )
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