Groundhog Day: A5 16 Gabe Wins Again

17 Open Recap

If it felt familiar, that’s because it was. Once again, A5 16 Gabe proved they are simply a different animal, rolling through the 17 Open division at Beast of the Southeast without dropping a single set on their way to the championship.

Playing up an age group and never looking uncomfortable, A5 controlled matches from start to finish with their physicality, balance, and elite volleyball IQ. There was no let-up at any point in the bracket, just clean dominant volleyball.

The standout performers were exactly who you’d expect from a team this loaded. Kari Knotts (Diamond) continues to make her case as one of the very best players in the country, regardless of class. Still only a freshman in high school, Knotts impacted the match in every phase and looked every bit like a future national-level star. On the right side, Marley Moore (Wolford) was a force, consistently scoring against well-formed blocks and creating matchup problems all weekend. Julia Clarke (Elite Red) gave A5 a massive presence in the middle, controlling the net and changing opposing game plans with her size and activity. Quietly doing a ton of work was Bethany Benjamin (Red), the unsung hero who anchored the back row and kept the offense steady with high-level ball control and leadership.

Carolina Union (CUVC) turned in an impressive weekend of their own, ultimately falling to A5 16 Gabe in the final after a statement sweep of A5 17 Calvin in the semifinals. CUVC’s commitment to running one of the fastest tempos in the country was on full display, especially to the pins, and it played a huge role in their deep run.

Jaylynn Carter (UCF) was extremely terminal all weekend and made her presence felt on the block as well. 2028 OH Lila Martin (Green) put together an outstanding all-around performance, with a serve that consistently had teams on edge. We gave her an initial PPV of 123. That serving pressure, along with contributions across the lineup, was key in breaking down opponents and limiting the effectiveness of A5 17 Calvin’s middles Jade Howard (Virginia) and Kylee Evans (Clemson), who had been dominant prior to that match. In the back court, Danielle Lewis (Missouri) was exceptional, passing half the court at a high level and making CUVC’s fast-paced offense possible.

In the end, though, the story remained the same. Different weekend, same result. A5 16 Gabe continues to set the standard, and right now, no one has found an answer.

16 Open Recap

Academy 16 Diamond took home the 16 Open title, putting together a complete weekend capped by a sweep of A5 15 Kelly in the finals, another A5 team playing up an age group and pushing deep into the bracket.

Setter Chloe Burbage (Silver) showed exactly why she’s considered one of the top setters in the 2028 class, consistently controlling the offense and running it at a very high level. When passes weren’t perfect, Academy could lean on 2029 OH Naomi Stevenson (Silver) as a reliable outlet. Stevenson did a little bit of everything well throughout the weekend, but her ability to score in tough situations really stood out.

On the right side, Meredith Liles was especially impressive. She showcased a very clean swing and did an excellent job controlling the right side of the net with her size and length. Liles played a mature, composed game all weekend, earning an initial PPV of 188.

In the championship match, Academy’s aggressive serving proved to be the difference. The pressure kept A5 15 Kelly out of system and largely neutralized standout middles Madison Middleton (Silver) and Shiloh Braddick (Silver). When those two had opportunities, they certainly made their presence felt, but those chances were limited due to Academy’s ability to dictate play from the service line.

A special shoutout goes to 2029 MB Sadie Williamson (Carolina Rogue 15 Black), whose team finished third after falling to A5 15 Kelly. Williamson had a strong showing throughout the weekend. The 70” middle is very springy, quick off the ground, and does a nice job scoring with a strong arm when given opportunities. Her slide stood out as well, and there’s clear upside in her game, especially at her age. We’re giving Williamson an initial PPV of 141.

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15 Open Recap

A5 15 Victor claimed the 15 Open title in a hard-fought three-set win over Alliance 15 Ren (17–25, 25–20, 15–7), flipping the match after dropping the opening set and pulling away decisively in the third.

Setters Elle Walker (Elite Orange) and Susie Dai led the way, not only with their setting but by stepping up offensively when the moment called for it. Both were effective scorers throughout the match. Walker brought a very physical presence on the right side, impacting the match with both her attacking and her block. Dai, meanwhile, used her size and high volleyball IQ to consistently put hitters in good positions, while also scoring when asked. We’re giving Susie Dai an initial PPV of 147.

On the left side, OH Emmy Chadwick (Green) was steady and reliable all weekend. She was a go-to option for A5 in big moments and delivered consistently, earning an initial PPV of 143.

For Alliance 15 Ren, A5’s aggressive serving proved to be a major challenge throughout the match. OH Emilie Mark (Elite Orange) did everything she could to keep Alliance in it, scoring at a high clip both in system and out of system. Setter Edie Cabell (Elite Red) was also very impressive, controlling the court and running a dynamic offense that was a joy to watch.

NC Academy 15 Diamond also turned in a strong performance, falling to Alliance in the semifinals. The attacking of newly rated OPP Gabrielle Uzo (Green) and OH Dani Solomon (Green) stood out in particular. Uzo showcased her physicality and scoring ability, earning an initial PPV of 144, while Solomon impressed with her all-around play and attacking, receiving an initial PPV of 140.

Overall, Beast of the Southeast served as a strong tune-up event for these teams as they now turn their attention toward Triple Crown.