Published Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:29 PM
Updated Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:29 PM

 

Red 15 wins volleyball championship

The Charleston Juniors National Red 15 recently won the Palmetto Region volleyball championships in Charlotte, N.C. to qualify for the National Junior Olympic volleyball championship in Dallas, Texas.

This is the second consecutive year that this all-star team has qualified and participated in the national championships. Last year, the team traveled to Minneapolis, Minn. and finished 17th in the nation. The team is a composite of the top volleyball talent in the Tri-County area in their respective age group and is represented by players from Summerville, Berkeley, Ashley Hall, Porter Gaud, Northwood’s Academy and Bishop England high schools.

Under the guidance of coaches Mary Jo Stemple and Jamaica Hicks, the team has had great success this year as they have played up in class and age group in several regional and national tournaments to prepare for the national championships.

Red 15 members Elizabeth Miler, the top rated freshman player in South Carolina, and middle blocker Catie Warren were both chosen as all-region players. The team placed second in the Peachtree Classic, fifth in the Big South Qualifier in Atlanta, 11th in the Northeastern Challenge in Baltimore and won the Palmetto Region tournament in Charlotte.

The Red15 is now vying to do what no other team in South Carolina has ever done – win a national volleyball age group championship. After playing in the open AAU Volleyball Championships in Orlando later this month, the team will travel to Dallas June 29 for the five-day national tournament.