Girls Open

Open Club Level

These teams are for athletes who want to pursue the highest level of play, including National Bids to USAV, JVA, AAU Nationals, Recruiting Showcases, Collegiate Scholarships, and Junior National team rosters.  

Skill levels are Advanced with the desire and ability to progress. 

Teams will be registered with the Arizona Region of USAV Open Division, which provides 4 one-day events on Sundays and the Arizona State Championships.

National Qualifiers: Open teams will participate in three USAV National Qualifiers from the list below. Team registration for these qualifiers takes place in September and October 2026; we will not know whether we have been accepted until December 2026. 

  • Golden Gate Classic National Qualifier (San Francisco)
  • Nike Music City National Qualifier (New Orleans)
  • Arizona National Qualifier (Local)
  • Far Western National Qualifier (Reno, Nevada)
  • Salt Lake City Showdown National Qualifier (Utah)
  • Nike Big South National Qualifier (Atlanta, Georgia)

Recruiting Showcase: Open teams will participate in two recruiting showcase events. According to recruiting experts, three of the best events to attend for aspiring college athletes are the Triple Crown series, USAV Nationals, and AAU National Nationals.

Extra Tournaments Included: 

  • Fiesta MLK Classic (Local)
  • Festival Fiesta (Local)
  • USAV National Championships (Vegas) or
  • AAU Volleyball National Championships (Orlando, Florida)

If teams qualify for USAV Nationals or are accepted into AAU Nationals, Volleyball Festival will be removed from the list.    

Extra Tournaments Not Included:

  • Stars and Stripes (Local)
  • Triple Crown Invitational/Qualifier (Utah)
  • Volleyball Festival (Local)

Age Classifications: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Level Description: Elite = Open

Open Level teams are highly competitive, and limited roster spots are available. You must be able to commit to the entire season, which ends in July.

Our goal is to earn a bid and qualify for USAV Nationals. If we do not qualify, we will register to attend one or more end-of-season national championships, such as the USAV Invited bid category, or AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida.

Characteristics

An Open-level volleyball player is typically at the most competitive and skilled tier of club or organized play, often attracting top talent from across the country or internationally. These players are not just technically proficient — they also demonstrate advanced physical conditioning, strategic understanding, and consistent performance.

Key characteristics include:

1. Advanced Technical Skills

  • Consistent overhand serve with the ability to target specific positions on the defensive side.
  • Controlled and settable passing that allows for precise hand sets.
  • Clean, reliable hand sets to hitters, with some setters able to accommodate individual hitter preferences.
  • Powerful and precise hitting with the ability to deliver hard-driven attacks, control approach, and blocking footwork.
  • Strong defensive skills — blockers coordinate timing with hitters to take away specific angles, and defenders cover the court efficiently.

2. High Volleyball IQ

  • Understands and can execute multiple offensive systems (e.g., 6-2, 5-1) and defensive formations.
  • Recognizes opponent tendencies and adapts play accordingly.
  • Can read the game quickly and make split-second decisions.

3. Physical Conditioning

  • Exceptional endurance to sustain high-intensity play over long matches.
  • Strong leg and core strength for quick transitions, blocking, and digging.
  • High speed and agility for both offense and defense.

4. Role Specialization

  • Often play in a defined role (e.g., setter, hitter, blocker) with a deep understanding of that position’s responsibilities.
  • Can execute advanced systems and maintain consistency in all aspects of the game.

5. Team and Sportsmanship Attributes

  • Demonstrates team spirit and ownership of their own game.
  • Encourages teammates and plays with professionalism, even under pressure.

6. Competitive Drive

  • Competes for top-tier recognition and may aim for collegiate or professional opportunities.
  • Willing to participate in high-level tournaments and meet strict eligibility criteria.

In summary: An Open-level player is technically elite, physically conditioned, strategically sharp, and committed to excellence, making them a cornerstone of high-performance volleyball teams.