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Defending our Turf: Premier Academy Claims a Triple Crown at the Biggby Battle & 10-Scouts Play in First Tournament
- Chad Rutkowski
- Feb 23
- 4 min read
There’s a specific kind of pressure that comes with playing at home. You aren't just playing for a trophy; you're playing in front of your parents, your peers, and under the banners you walk under every single day at practice.
This past weekend, at the Biggby Battle presented by the Northwest Ohio Biggby Co-op, our Premier Academy teams didn't just handle that pressure—they thrived on it. In a weekend defined by high-stakes rallies and caffeine-fueled energy, Premier pulled off the ultimate home-court flex: A clean sweep of all three championship divisions.
17/18 Division: 18-Antare vs. 17-Kayano
If you want to see what "ice in the veins" looks like, look no further than 18-Antare who racked up their second tournament championship in a row. While their 4-1 record looks great on paper, the real story was told in the trenches of the Gold Bracket, where they defeated Premier 18-Os in two sets, and Premier 17-Kayano in a re-match for the Championship.
The standout moment of the tournament came in a heart-stopping, three-set lost to Premier 17-Kayano to end pool play on the first day. With the score knotted up at 15-15 in the tiebreaker, the gym was electric with Kayano winning, but that set the stage for a potential rematch on Championship Day - first they had to get through 18-Os, a challenge nonetheless. In the Championship match, it was all Premier 18-Antare winning in straight sets 25-16, 25-17. They aren't just winning games; they are learning how to finish them and with two big events upcoming (Bluegrass and Caribbean Championship), they are playing well at the right time.
15/16 Division: 16-Kinsei, A Masterclass in Efficiency
If 18-Antare provided the drama, 16-Kinsei provided the dominance. Watching Kinsei this weekend was like watching a well-oiled machine. They marched to a perfect 5–0 record, dropping only a single set the entire tournament.
The most impressive part of their run? It wasn't just that they won; it was how they won. In an era of volleyball where momentum can swing wildly, Kinsei stayed remarkably level-headed. Whether they were trading blows in a three-set battle against 16-Nimbus or closing out the final against 15-Trabuco, their first-contact control and serving pressure never wavered.
In our gym, we talk a lot about "iron sharpening iron." Seeing multiple Premier teams battle deep into the bracket proves that our toughest competition often happens every night at practice. Kinsei is proving that when you thrive in our gym, you’re ready for anyone.
14-Tokidoki: The "Unstoppables"
It’s rare to see a team go 12–0 in sets over an entire weekend. It’s even rarer to see it done with the poise that 14-Tokidoki displayed.
From the first serve on Saturday to the final point against TDV 14C on Sunday, Tokidoki was in complete control. While a 25–5 set score looks like a blowout, it’s actually a testament to discipline. It’s easy for young teams to lose focus when they’re ahead, but Tokidoki stayed locked in. Their defensive transitions and consistency from the service line left no room for opponents to breathe.
10-Scouts: A Big Stage Debut at Cedar Point
While the energy was high back home, our 10-Scouts were busy making a statement of their own in Sandusky, Ohio. For many of these athletes, this was their first-ever "all-day Saturday" event, and they couldn’t have picked a more impressive stage than the Cedar Point Sports Center.
Navigating a massive 20-court facility for the first time is a rite of passage in club volleyball, and the Scouts handled it like pros. Competing in a tough 11-team field, the Scouts showed incredible grit throughout the day.
Highlights of the Day:
Opening Statement: They kicked off the morning with a decisive 2–0 victory over Mintonette Sports j.03, winning 25–20, 25–9.
Battling with the Best: They went toe-to-toe with some of the region's top programs, including a hard-fought battle against TVC 10-Black that pushed deep into a third set.
Finishing Strong: The Scouts wrapped up their marathon Saturday with another win, defeating Millennium 10-Wimmer 25–17, 25–11 to secure a solid 5th place finish overall.
Finishing in the top half of the bracket in your first major away-day is a huge win for this group. More importantly, they got their first taste of what it means to "travel and compete"—a foundation that will serve them well as they continue to grow within the Premier family.
More Than Just a Trophy
Home tournaments at Premier are a highlight on our calendar not just because of the hardware, but because of what it represents for the Northwest Ohio community. Partnering with the Northwest Ohio Biggby Co-op allows us to turn a standard tournament into an event. It’s about the parents in the stands, friends and families beign able to see us compete locally, the players cheering for other age groups between their own matches, and the culture of excellence we are building right here in our home facility.
We want to extend a massive "thank you" to every family that spent their weekend with us and to the Northwest Ohio Biggby Co-op for fueling the fun.
What's Next?
For this upcoming weekend, Premier Academy and P25 Girls Programs will send their 14s, 13s, and 12s teams to Columbus and the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the Nike Gauntlet. For a full schedule list and to check out the teams in action, click here.
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