The 18 Open division at the JVA World Challenge offers a chance to see many of the nation's top club volleyball teams and some of the most highly touted Division I recruits, only months away from the start of their college careers.

While the 17 Open division has the same level of talent, with plenty of kids verbally committed to top NCAA programs, it also provides the thrill of finding undiscovered talent. Which of these high school juniors and sophomores are going to be the next big thing? It's hard to predict, but a good performance at World Challenge on April 7-9 in Louisville, Kentucky, is sure to get an athlete noticed.



Here are five 17s teams we think have the best chance of contending for the World Challenge title.

1. KIVA 17 Red

Louisville, Kentucky

KIVA 17 Red of Louisville, Kentucky has ranked in the top 25 of our 17s rankings since the very beginning of the season. Six members of the squad are DI committed, with Kentucky recruit Alli Stumler and Western Kentucky commit Allyson Cathey holding it down for KIVA from the pins. As is to be expected with any KIVA team, 17 Red's defense will be on point from the first serve on Friday to the end of the tournament Sunday.

2. Illini Elite 17 Cardinal

Bloomington, Illinois

17 Cardinal bursted into our Flo50 rankings this week after winning the Wisconsin Dells Showcase and coming in second at the Ultra Ankle Bluegrass Tournament, where it lost to KIVA 17 Red in the final. An elite pair of middles--Iowa commit Hannah Clayton and Purdue commit Grace Cleveland--make this team dangerous on both sides of ball, and Auburn-committed setter Mica Allison runs the offense.

3. Elevation 17 Reilly

Mason, Ohio

Elevation 17 Reilly's season started off well from the get-go, as it claimed a second-place finish at the Central Zone Invitational in January, beating A5's top 17s team and Circle City 17 Purple along the way. Key players include outside hitters Valerie Green (Auburn) and Lisa Sullivan (Army), libero Mackenzie Conners (Cleveland State), and setter Abbie Hughes (Florida International).

4. Circle City 17 Purple

Plainfield, Indiana

Circle City 17 Purple puts up a big block, with 6-foot-7 Butler-committed middle blocker Julia Wohlert and 6-3 Iowa-committed middle Amiya Jones leading the charge. This squad finished fifth at the Nike Presidents' Day Classic and ninth at the Central Zone Invitational.

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5. Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno

Warren, Michigan

After finishing eighth at the JVA Rock 'N Rumble and 15th at Mideast Qualifier, MEVBA 17 Mizuno has shown promise but has not yet lived up to its potential. Big hitters Abryanna Cannon (OH, Notre Dame), Molly Asmus (MB, Dayton), and Molly Johnson (MB/OPP, Michigan State) will dominate for the team on offense, while Michigan State-bound libero Lauryn Gibbs will frustrate opposing teams on defense.

How To Watch Courts #1-12 At The JVA World Challenge

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