This story was submitted by Nathaniel Steeg, grade 9, and Aydin Mesic, grade 10.

In June and July, 15 Harker students and three 2025 graduates competed at two major volleyball tournaments, with several Harker competitors taking top spots in their respective divisions. The SoCal Cup Showcase, held June 14-16 in Los Angeles, and the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, held June 30-July 7, both attracted hundreds of competitors from across the country as well as countries such as Brazil, Puerto Rico and Guam. Notable results from both events are as follows, with each competitor’s placement, division, team and overall record:

SoCal Cup Showcase:

Jacob Smith ’25: Fifth in 18 Club division with team 18 Black, 12-6 overall

Topaz Lee and Kairui Sun, both grade 12: Second in 17 Open division with team 17 Red, 16-5 overall

Gary Xu (All-Tournament team selection) and Ayden Mesic, both grade 10: Third in 15 Club division with team 15 Club, 14-5 overall

Nathanel Steeg, grade 9: First in 14 Club division with team 14 Premier, 9-0 overall

Ryan Lin, grade 8: Fifth in 13 Open division with team 13 Red, 9-5 overall

Liam Shackelford, grade 8: Fifth 13 Open division with team 13 Premier, 10-4 overall

AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships

Jacob Smith ’25: Third in 18 Elite division with team 18 Black, 10-2 overall

Topaz Lee and Kairui Sun: Second in 17 Open division with team 17 Red, 9-2 overall

Gary Xu and Ayden Mesic (MVP Award): First in 15 Elite division with team 15 Club, 11-2 overall

Weston Smith, grade 10 and Kyle Chun, grade 9: First in 14 Club division with team 14 Club, 10-1 overall

Nathaniel Steeg, grade 9: Second in 14 premier division with team 14 premier, 11-1 overall

Steven Li, grade 8: Fifth in 13 Club division with team 13 Black, 5-4 overall

Liam Shackelford, grade 8: Fifth in 13 Club division with team 13 Premier, 8-1 overall.