Battle-Tested in Columbus: Premier Academy Takes on the Inaugural Nike Gauntlet

The Inaugural Nike Gauntlet was one that featured teams throughout the region. When our teams head to Columbus for a big event, they’re not just aiming for victories; they’re seeking a benchmark to gauge their progress and to see how they measure up with other teams in our area. This past weekend, our Premier Academy teams faced some of the toughest competition in the region, and they handled it well with room to grow as the season progresses onward.

14-Tokidoki: The Sunday Push

Finishing 9th overall in a field as deep as the Nike Gauntlet is a massive statement. For 14-Tokidoki, the final ranking doesn't even tell the full story of their grit. The bracket draw was unforgiving; Tokidoki dropped a heartbreaker in the first round to an opponent that went on to be a tournament semifinalist. Instead of letting that early exit define their weekend, the girls locked in and fought through the consolation bracket with a level of competitive maturity that proved they belong on the national stage. They competed all weekend and will continue to learn and grow.

Premier 14-Tokidoki

12-Aztek: High-Stakes Fundamentals

Our 12-Aztek squad matched that energy, also securing a hard-earned 9th place finish.

If you’ve stopped by the gym lately, you’ve seen the 12s grinding. They have been working exceptionally hard on first contact—drilling serving, passing, and digging until it becomes second nature. In Columbus, that grinding work ethic paid off. Aztek played with a "poise beyond their years," refusing to let the big stage of the Gauntlet rattle their fundamentals.

"The Nike Gauntlet is a great opportunity for our younger teams to participate in a high-quality event, close to home, against some great competition in our region. It allows our girls to showcase their growth." says Jodi Schramm, Premier Academy Director and Owner. "Seeing 14-Tokidoki bounce back after a tough opening gold bracket loss and watching 12-Aztek's dedication to first contact translate into a Top-10 finish is exactly what we want to see mid-season. It’s about the climb, not just the result."

Premier 12-Aztek

The "Mid-Season" Measuring Stick

Top-10 finishes aren’t just given out; they’re earned one point at a time. We’re leaving Columbus with more than just a higher ranking; we’re leaving with a clearer understanding of who we are as a club. These athletes demonstrated resilience, managed the travel with professionalism, and represented the Premier name with pride.

What's Next?

For this upcoming weekend, Premier Academy Girls Programs will send their 18s, 17s, 16s,and 15s teams to Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center for the Under Armour Bluegrass Tournament. For a full schedule list and to check out the teams in action, click

here.