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Championship Season Momentum: Premier Academy Delivers at the AAU May Madness Super Regional
- Chad Rutkowski
- May 26
- 4 min read
For two weekends in May, Premier Academy welcomed nearly one hundred teams from across the Midwest to our home courts for the AAU May Madness Super Regional, one of the premier events on the spring volleyball calendar.
Hosted at our home at Premier Academy, the tournament serves as one of the final major opportunities for teams to sharpen their game before entering the most important stretch of the season—Championship Phase and ultimately AAU Volleyball Nationals in Orlando, Florida for our 15s through 18s teams.
And while the first weekend was still a sucess, the second weekend showcased exactly the type of growth, resilience, and performance that Premier Academy strives for as the season reaches its peak.
Weekend One: Valuable Lesson & a Podium Finish
The opening weekend of May Madness featured the 12s, 13s, and 14s divisions, where competition was fierce from the first whistle.
While the overall results did not meet the high standards our teams set for themselves, there were still bright spots throughout the weekend.
Leading the way was Premier 13-Spree, who battled their way to a 3rd-place finish in the 13 Club/Premier division. Throughout the event, Spree demonstrated the competitiveness and determination that has become a hallmark of the team all season long.
They will all look to respond this upcoming weekend at JVA Summerfest in Columbus as the final event of the year for our younger squad.
Weekend Two: Championships Return to Premier
The second weekend of the AAU May Madness Super Regional featured the 15s, 16s, 17s, and 18s divisions, and Premier Academy responded with one of its strongest collective performances of the season, ultimately sweeping all four divisions at each age group.
By the end of the weekend, Premier teams had earned:
🏆 4 Division Championships
🥈 2 Runner-Up Finishes
⭐ 6 Teams in Championship Matches
Most importantly, teams demonstrated the consistency, confidence, and execution required as Nationals season approaches.
🏆 15-Trabuco Captures the 15 Premier Championship
Premier 15-Trabuco delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, winning the 15 Premier Championship.
Record: 6–0
Set Record: 12–0
Trabuco never dropped a set throughout the tournament, showcasing elite first contact, aggressive offense, and the ability to perform under pressure. Winning every match in straight sets is proof to the team's preparation and commitment to improvement throughout the season.
🏆 16-Kinsei Continues Championship Run
Fresh off several strong spring performances, Premier 16-Kinsei added another title to its impressive resume.
Record: 5–0
Set Record: 10–0
Kinsei controlled every match they played, capturing the 16 Premier Championship without surrendering a single set. The team continues to demonstrate why they are one of Premier Academy's most consistent and dangerous teams entering championship season.
🥈 16-Nimbus Earns Runner-Up Finish
Premier 16-Nimbus continued its successful season with a 2nd-place finish in the 16 Premier division.
Record: 4–1
Set Record: 8–3
Nimbus once again displayed strong ball control and offensive efficiency, battling their way into the championship match and adding another impressive result to their season.
🏆 17-Kayano Claims Championship
Premier 17-Kayano captured the 18 Club Championship with an outstanding performance throughout the weekend.
Record: 5–0
Set Record: 10–0
Kayano's ability to control matches through disciplined defense and efficient offense resulted in another championship trophy for the Premier Academy trophy case.
🥈 17-Enduro Finishes Strong
Premier 17-Enduro continued to show significant growth and competitiveness, finishing as Runner-Up in the 18 Club division.
Record: 4–1
Set Record: 8–3
Their strong finish highlights the development taking place throughout the roster and provides valuable momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.
🏆 18-Onitsuka Takes Home the Title
Premier 18-Onitsuka capped off the weekend by winning the 18 Premier Championship.
Record: 6–0
Set Record: 12–0
Like Trabuco, Onitsuka completed the entire tournament without dropping a single set, demonstrating complete control from beginning to end.
The championship serves as another strong statement from one of Premier Academy's premier national teams as they prepare for their final events of the club season.
Built for Championship Phase
The results from May Madness represent far more than medals and championship trophies. They are the product of months of preparation, countless training sessions, consistent coaching, and a commitment to long-term athlete development. Perhaps most importantly, they demonstrate teams beginning to peak at the right time as the season enters its most important stretch. Across every age group, Premier athletes continue to make meaningful strides in the areas that matter most during championship season—from first contact and setter-led offensive systems to defensive discipline and competitive toughness. These foundational elements are what separate good teams from championship-caliber teams, and the growth displayed throughout May Madness provides tremendous momentum as our athletes prepare for AAU Nationals and the final phase of the club season.
Looking Ahead to Orlando
With AAU Volleyball Nationals quickly approaching, May Madness provided a strong indication that Premier Academy teams are trending in the right direction.
The first weekend offered valuable lessons. The second weekend delivered results.
Together, they represent the continuous pursuit of excellence that defines Premier Academy Volleyball.
As we turn our attention toward Orlando and this upcoming weekend in Columbus, one thing is clear: Championship season has arrived, and Premier Academy is ready for the challenge.
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For more than 31 years, Premier Academy has been committed to developing athletes, building leaders, and providing opportunities for players to compete at the highest levels.
From first-time players to national champions and collegiate athletes, Premier continues to provide a pathway for success.
👉 Interested in learning more about Premier Academy Volleyball? Visit our Club Teams page and discover why families throughout Northwest Ohio choose Premier as their volleyball home.
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