Future Longhorns Take on Nationals Deep in the Heart of Texas
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Today kicks off the GJNC National Championships for ages 14-17 right here in the Great State of Texas at the Dallas Convention Center. For fans of Texas Volleyball, this week offers a chance to catch a glimpse of the future. Some of the nation's top youth talent, including several Longhorn commits and targets, will be suiting up for their club teams in the hunt for a national title.
2026 DS Emma Cugino - Mintonette Sports - m.71 (17 Open)
Cugino has been a cornerstone for the defense of one of the top teams in the country all season long, and now her team will get a chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage. Mintonette enters the tournament as the #5 seed in the country, so they are definitely a team to watch this week.
2027 OH Ella Olson - Tstreet 16-Andy (16 Open)
Tstreet enters the tournament as the #10 seed in the country. Olson is a six-rotation threat with an impressive all-around game, and her impact could be a deciding factor as Tstreet aims to make a deep run in Dallas.
2027 MB Camille Presley - AP 16 adidas (16 Freedom)
Although AP 16 adidas is not competing in the open division, they enter their division as the #1 seed in the country, so Presley will also be competing strongly for a national title. Between her and Olson, keep an eye out for your newest future Longhorns in the Metroplex this week.
2026 OH Henley Anderson and 2026 S Genevieve Harris are both missing out on this year's nationals to compete on an international level for USAV. While it's sad they are not competing in Dallas this week for their 17s nationals, they've got some bigger fish to fry. They have spent the last few days training alongside future teammate Cari Spears and the rest of the U19 national team in the Netherlands before heading to Croatia and Serbia for the U19 World Championship from July 2-13.
All the future Longhorns this week, competing both at home and abroad, are proving why the Texas pipeline remains one of the strongest in the country. To all these athletes, good luck!
