From Jan. 18 to Jan. 21, AAU Volleyball hosted its annual SoCal Cup in Los Angeles. Despite Los Angeles being affected by fires, the Los Angeles Convention Center was unaffected, providing a safe venue for the last tournament of the boys’ volleyball season.
The tournament was held over three days, with the first two days being pool play and the last being bracket play. Many local volleyball clubs participated in the tournament and the success they had varied through age groups. Some clubs were able to bring back multiple medals, while others came back empty-handed.
Union Volleyball Academy – Hayward
Union Volleyball Academy sent two teams to the SoCal Cup tournament, and neither of them were able to bring back any hardware. Both teams struggled on the first day of the tournament, essentially eliminating them from being able to win any medals. However, after the first day, Union Volleyball’s 16U team was finally able to string together wins, going 3-2 on their final two days. Although it was not enough to get them any medals, the Union Volleyball 16U team was able to end the season on a high note.
Lakas Volleyball Club – Hayward
Lakas Volleyball Club sent seven teams, ranging from 14U-17U. Similar to Union Volleyball Academy, none of the seven teams were able to get a medal at the tournament. However, Lakas’s 14U team was able to get into the silver bracket and finish 17th in their age group, while the 17U team finished with an 8-1 record and placed 19th in their age group. While none of Lakas’s teams secured a medal, the 14U team’s placement in the silver bracket and the 17U team’s great record highlighted significant achievements for the club.
Boys’ volleyball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. According to the American Volleyball Coaches Association, “Over the past five years, boys’ high school volleyball continues to be the fastest growing team sport by percentage in the country.”
Tournaments like the SoCal Cup give a chance for young athletes in California to showcase their talent on a big stage. Beyond the medals and rankings, these tournaments give athletes opportunities to develop teamwork, resilience and a passion for the game. As the sport gains more visibility and support, competitions like this will continue to serve as a critical platform for developing the next generation of players and ensuring the sport’s growth and success at the next level.
