The 2012 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships kicked off in Columbus, Ohio on June 28 and will continue through July 7. The event, now in its 33rd consecutive year, is taking place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The GJNC has approximately 9,500 athletes traveling to Columbus representing 816 youth club teams competing for one of 19 championships ranging from 12-and-under to 18-and-under divisions. The age groups are divided into 19 different divisions based on Open, National and American divisions. Each group will compete in their division for their respected medals. The USA Junior National Championships showcase the top talent in the nation, and attracts around 20,000 spectators and hundreds of college recruiters each year.

Blanco High School sophomore, Reagan Rogers, will be competing with her team, Austin Performance Volleyball 15PHD, at this year’s USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships and will be competing for the title of Junior National Champions. Austin Performance 15PHD punched their ticket to Ohio and secured a bid to compete when they won the gold at the Lone Star Regional Championships in May. Only teams who have qualified at one of ten National Qualifying tournaments or at the Regional Championships are eligible to participate in the Junior National Championships. 15PHD will be one of forty-eight teams competing in the 15's National division in Ohio. Only four teams from across Texas qualified in this division this year, including 15PHD. Play began for this division on Monday, July 2nd and will conclude with the finals on July 5. You can follow scores and standings from the USA Volleyball website at www.usavolleyball.org, under the Juniors link.