The 40th Annual AAU Girls Junior Volleyball National Championships are in the books! The 8 day event was split between two great venues the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Over 1,900 Volleyball teams from all over the US and Puerto Rico flooded their way into Orlando to compete in the amateur volleyball tournament holding the record for largest in the WORLD!

The tournament kicked off to a rather wet start when rain poured down on the Opening Ceremonies in Championship Stadium. Rain could not stop the fun, as thousands of athletes, coaches and parents were relocated to the HP Fieldhouse where a dryer version of Opening Ceremonies could begin! The AAU Volleyball committee members were in attendance lead by AAU Volleyball Chairman Dr. Roger Goudy as well as AAU President Henry Forrest who opened the ceremony with a quick hello and good luck to the teams competing. The ceremony excitement reached an all-time high when special guest Mickey Mouse escorted in an even MORE special guest: Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh! Walsh spoke to the crowd about her journey from her time competing (and winning) the AAU Girls Jr. Volleyball National Championships to her time at the Olympics and answered a few questions from players.  The opening ceremonies concluded with an amazing fireworks display in true Disney fashion over Champion Stadium.

For Photos of Opening Ceremonies CLICK HERE!

 For Photos from Around The Courts GIRLS  CLICK HERE!

The action really got heated up when competition began on Wednesday June 19th. ESPN Wide World of Sports had volleyball on all courts while an astounding  175 courts had teams facing off simultaneously at the Orange County Convention Center north and south concourses! The Girls 10U through 14U divisions began on the 19th and wrapped up with championship finals at Disney on the 22nd.  AAU Boys Volleyball played their nationals at the Orlando Sports Center with Championships at OCCC from the 20th through the 23rd.  Just the younger girls and the boys finished up, the 16 and 17 girls Open divisions began playing from June 22-25 with championships on the 25th.  15U through 18U competed from the 23rd through the conclusion of the tournament on the 26th with championships and award ceremonies. Special guest  Mickey Mouse was present for awards ceremonies on championship days at ESPN Wide World of Sports and many of the championships were broadcast on ESPN3.com making it an extra special experience for athletes, coaches, and parents alike!

Congratulations to all of the athletes who took home the All American And MVP Honors! 
To see who the recipients were 
10-14's CLICK HERE 
15-18's CLICK HERE

For Photos from Around The Courts BOYS CLICK HERE!

For Photos of the GIRLS Awards Ceremonies CLICK HERE!

For Photos of the BOYS Awards Ceremonies CLICK HERE!

It's a wrap for the 2013 Volleyball National Championships! 40 was a great year! Until next year, keep your sets high, your digs low, and you spikes hard! Congratulations to all of our new AAU Volleyball National Champions!