As boys’ and men’s volleyball continues to explode in participatory popularity in the United States, the 2018 Boys Junior National Championships (BJNC) is expecting a record number of teams from across the continent. Specifically, 578 teams have earned invites – which is a 13.3% increase over last year’s old record of 510 teams.
The tournament will award 15 titles in age groups from 12-18. For 12 and 12 year olds, there’s jut one “Club” category. For 14, and 15 year olds, there are single age “Open” and “Club” championships, while 16, 17, and 18 year olds have “Open,” “USA,” and “Club” divisions.
Among the teams participating are the 949 black squad and the black team from the HBC club in Orange County. Those two teams finished first and second, respectively, in last year’s 17 Open Championship.
949 for its part has 6 players committed to play not only Division I volleyball next season, but to play for top-12 teams, including the OC Register’s All-County Player of the Year Kevin Kobrine, a 6’4″ UCLA-bound opposite.
“The continued growth and quality of our boys’ junior programs, including the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships as the signature event, has opened pathways for our youth athletes to play after high school,” USA Volleyball CEO Jamie Davis said. “More and more colleges are adding men’s volleyball programs, which has created opportunities for additional athletes to play at the collegiate varsity level. Increased participation at the youth club and collegiate levels, in the end, improves the quality and depth of our U.S. Men’s National Team.”
18 teams are travelling to Phoenix from Puerto Rico for the event, and 1 team will come in from Canada.
2018 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships Schedule
- 18 Open, USA and Club Divisions: July 2-5
- 17 Open, USA and Club Divisions: July 6-9
- 16 Open, USA And Club Divisions: July 4-7
- 15 Open and Club Divisions: July 5-8
- 14 Open and Club Divisions: July 3-6
- 13 Club Division: July 7-9
- 12 Club Division: July 2-4
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