18 & Under Age Divisions of AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships Set to Take Over Memorial Day Weekend in Orlando
08/16/2018
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) announced its elite 18U and International divisions in the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships will compete over Memorial Day weekend beginning in 2019.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2018) - The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) announced its elite 18U and International divisions in the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships will compete over Memorial Day weekend beginning in 2019.
The 18 Open division featuring the best teams in the nation along with the 18 Premier, 18 Club, 18 Classic and International divisions will be contested from May 24- 27, 2019. The event will be held at the award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) located in the heart of Orlando’s Convention Center District, only fifteen minutes from Orlando International Airport and home to world-class restaurants, shopping and theme park attractions.
This date shift allows more college-bound high school seniors the opportunity to compete for one more club championship before reporting to collegiate programs. An 18U division will also be included during the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships June 16 – 28, 2019.
“We are excited about this shift in dates,” said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, President/CEO of the AAU. “With the college season beginning earlier, we believe moving the 18U division of the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships to Memorial Day weekend allows more athletes to participate in what we believe is the best event in the world for youth athletes.”
Last year’s international division saw representatives from 13 countries compete for an International Championship and the chance to meet the winner of the 18 Open division for an AAU World Championship. The Dominican Republic dominated only dropping one set, going undefeated on its way to the Jim Coleman Trophy for the world champion division title.
For those who can’t attend in person, the AAU will again video stream select matches live throughout the event.
Here’s what coaches are saying about the move:
“Munciana is proud to endorse the AAU National Championships and their recent adjustment to the 18u division as well,” said Mike Lingenfelter, Asics Munciana. “Being willing and able to adjust the 18’s division to conform to the collegiate demands is proof of the organizations commitment to excellence.
Munciana and hopefully all of youth volleyball looks forward to this culminating event!”
“We are very excited with AAU’s decision to host their national championship event for the 18s division over Memorial Day weekend,” said Joaquin Acosta, A4 Volley. “These past two club seasons we have used Memorial Day weekend as our season ending event for the 18s and it has worked very well for our families. We plan on sending both our 18s teams to this event and look forward to competing against the best in Orlando.”
“We are excited about AAU’s continued commitment to having a first class national championship,” said Jason Hames, K2 Volleyball Club. “Moving the championship to Memorial Day weekend gives our seniors the much needed flexibility to honor their commitments to club and college programs. K2 looks forward to competing against the best domestic and international teams in Orlando this year.”
“TAV is very excited for the move to Memorial Day for AAU 18 National Championships,” said John Sample, Texas Advantage Volleyball. “We fully believe that seniors need to still be playing in May in order to be ready for their college season and moving to Memorial Day allows us to do that. Those going to college in June can be finished with their club commitment as well as start their college careers. Orlando AAU’s has been an incredible end of year experience for our players and we look forward to this year’s events.”
Visit www.aauvolleyball.org for more information.
The 18 Open division featuring the best teams in the nation along with the 18 Premier, 18 Club, 18 Classic and International divisions will be contested from May 24- 27, 2019. The event will be held at the award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) located in the heart of Orlando’s Convention Center District, only fifteen minutes from Orlando International Airport and home to world-class restaurants, shopping and theme park attractions.
This date shift allows more college-bound high school seniors the opportunity to compete for one more club championship before reporting to collegiate programs. An 18U division will also be included during the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships June 16 – 28, 2019.
“We are excited about this shift in dates,” said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, President/CEO of the AAU. “With the college season beginning earlier, we believe moving the 18U division of the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships to Memorial Day weekend allows more athletes to participate in what we believe is the best event in the world for youth athletes.”
Last year’s international division saw representatives from 13 countries compete for an International Championship and the chance to meet the winner of the 18 Open division for an AAU World Championship. The Dominican Republic dominated only dropping one set, going undefeated on its way to the Jim Coleman Trophy for the world champion division title.
For those who can’t attend in person, the AAU will again video stream select matches live throughout the event.
Here’s what coaches are saying about the move:
“Munciana is proud to endorse the AAU National Championships and their recent adjustment to the 18u division as well,” said Mike Lingenfelter, Asics Munciana. “Being willing and able to adjust the 18’s division to conform to the collegiate demands is proof of the organizations commitment to excellence.
Munciana and hopefully all of youth volleyball looks forward to this culminating event!”
“We are very excited with AAU’s decision to host their national championship event for the 18s division over Memorial Day weekend,” said Joaquin Acosta, A4 Volley. “These past two club seasons we have used Memorial Day weekend as our season ending event for the 18s and it has worked very well for our families. We plan on sending both our 18s teams to this event and look forward to competing against the best in Orlando.”
“We are excited about AAU’s continued commitment to having a first class national championship,” said Jason Hames, K2 Volleyball Club. “Moving the championship to Memorial Day weekend gives our seniors the much needed flexibility to honor their commitments to club and college programs. K2 looks forward to competing against the best domestic and international teams in Orlando this year.”
“TAV is very excited for the move to Memorial Day for AAU 18 National Championships,” said John Sample, Texas Advantage Volleyball. “We fully believe that seniors need to still be playing in May in order to be ready for their college season and moving to Memorial Day allows us to do that. Those going to college in June can be finished with their club commitment as well as start their college careers. Orlando AAU’s has been an incredible end of year experience for our players and we look forward to this year’s events.”
Visit www.aauvolleyball.org for more information.
