Heading into AAU Boys Jr. Volleyball National Championships, the largest boys’ national championship in the nation, Triangle Boys 16 Black were seeded fourth in the prestigious Open division*. After competing in an 8-team pool over 2+ days they were undefeated, going 7-0 (14-1 in sets) overall. Triangle faced Mountain View VBC from northern California in the Gold challenge match, defeating them in three sets (22-25, 29-27, 15-6) and earning a berth in the 8-team Gold (championship) bracket.
In the quarterfinals Triangle faced nationally renown Balboa Bay (Southern California), defeating them in straight sets (26-24, 25-22). The semi’s would match up Triangle with Sports Performance out of Chicago, a team Triangle recently defeated in the championship match at the JVA Windy City Round Up (June 16th). Triangle would triumph in straight sets (27-25, 25-15) to then face COAST Boys 16-1 Pat for the national championship. The first set was tight but went in Triangle’s favor 27-25. The second set was a decisive win (25-15) and garnered the national championship for Triangle. This is the first boys’ national championship for Triangle and for any club in the Carolinas. Boys’ volleyball in North Carolina has become increasingly recognized in the nation with teams succeeding at a high level and athletes being recruited to nationally competitive Division I collegiate programs.
Thomas Demps, #1 (front row), Outside Hitter was honored as the AAU 16 Open tournament MVP.
Nolan Jones, #28 (back row), Outside Hitter and Wade Coppedge #5 (Front row), Libero were named to the AAU 16 Open All American team.
The members of Triangle Boys 16 Black are:
- Wade Coppedge, #5 | Raleigh, NC
- Thomas Demps, #1 | Raleigh, NC
- Nolan Jones, #28 | Raleigh, NC
- Branson Liquorie, #34 | Holly Springs, NC
- Lev Marushevskyi, #7 | Cary, NC
- Deuce Ross, #17 | Morrisville, NC
- Beckett Walsh, #8 | Raleigh, NC
- Samuel Webster #11 | Apex, NC
- Ezra Bright (practice player) | Pittsboro, NC
Coaching Staff:
- Michael Webster, Head Coach
- Meredith Blum, Assistant Coach
- Jackson Carroll, Assistant Coach