Columbia Juniors U-18 Black headed to USA Junior Nationals volleyball tournament

The Columbia Juniors U-18 Black team, coached by Southridge head coach John Lengphounpraseut, earned a spot in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships from June 28-July 5 in Dallas, Texas.

The team is made up of some of the area’s top players, including Kimberly Brinkworth of Southridge, Tori Crawford of Walla Walla, Nikki Eldred of Hanford, Andrea Kappelman of Hermiston, Amanda Miller of Kamiakinn, Gracelyn Smith of Richland and Jamie Steach of Chiawana.

The team won five tournament championships since December, including the Eastern Washington Classic in May. This is also the same team that qualified for the USA Junior Nationals three years ago in Reno, Nev., finishing in the top 16.

The Columbia Juniors U-18 squad will hold its final weeknight practice today and hold a final exhibition at Southridge High School on Monday before departing June 27.

This story was originally published June 18, 2013 at 11:53 PM with the headline "Columbia Juniors U-18 Black headed to USA Junior Nationals volleyball tournament."