JUNIORS
some benefi cial modifi ca- tions. A new division was created, named the USA Division, in which teams can only qualify through National Qualifi ers. The National Division was amended to allow quali- fi cation only through the Regions. The biggest change is the advent of the Patriot Division. There are now fi ve major divisions of play at the GJNC – Open, National, USA, American, and Patriot.
It is important to note that at the 2013 GJNC, the
National Division is actually the second stron- gest tournament, even though the USA Division is the second strongest at an NQ. This distinc- tion is due to many of the top teams playing the Open Division at NQs, but not earning a bid or At-Large bid. These teams don’t get an opportunity to play in the USA Division at NQs because they are competing in Open. However, these same teams can go back to their Region
and get a National bid. On the other hand, if a team playing in the USA Division earns a USA bid, they can then take that bid back to their Region and play in their Regional champion- ship for a chance to earn a National bid. That vacated USA bid will then get distributed by the Region.
According to Pingel, the expansion of the GJNC is a testament to the growth of the NQs. “The National Qualifi ers are very high-quality,
fun events and people like going to them, ” Pingel said.
For one sample of proof, simply look at the evolution of the NorthEast Qualifi er, which has broadened from previously being housed in downtown Baltimore, to this year spreading out through three different major cities - Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. To further develop the broadening talent pool, USAV is begin-
ning an 11s division at this year’s 34th annual installment of the GJNC, being held in Dallas. Since 2013 will be its fi rst year, this new class will compete in the Patriot Division only and be limited to just 24 teams. Pingel said, “We’re trying to get kids thinking about playing volley- ball and experiencing the highest level of their age group as soon as possible so they catch the volleyball bug.”
30 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
usavolleyball.org/mag
PHOTO: JEFF MILLS
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