There is no question that there are some talented senior volleyball players in the area, including 2024 first team All Area selections Rowan Kage of Gainesville High, Jailyn Simmons of Union County (Lake Butler), and Sinei Wood of Columbia (Lake City), just to name a few.
But how about some up-and-coming players?
They will be on display on Saturday at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center in Alachua (15400 Peggy Rd.).
Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc. is proud to present the Rising Stars Classic, an action-packed JV girls volleyball tournament that promises a full day of competition, energy and community spirit.
“This tournament is all about opportunity,” said Brandon “Coach B” Wilson, president of Crafty Gemini Youth Development. “The Rising Stars Classic gives young athletes a chance to shine, grow in the game, and showcase their talents in front of their families, schools, and community. We’re excited to host this event and celebrate the bright future of high school volleyball.”
This exciting event will showcase 11 talented JV teams from across the region, including Buchholz, Columbia, Gainesville High, Keystone Heights, Newberry, Oak Hall, Saint Francis Catholic Academy, The Rock, Union County, Williston and the GHS freshman team.
“It’s really, it’s really neat,” said Gainesville JV coach Michelle Stalbaum, who was the 2003 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Volleyball. “I’m excited that the girls get to have an opportunity to play in a tournament. A lot of them play club and are used to that, but some of these girls do not play club, so this is a big deal for them. We’re really excited.”
The GHS JV team defeated Forest (Ocala), 2-1, on Tuesday at The Purple Palace to complete a sweep with the varsity team, which rallied from a 1-0 deficit.
“We are a group with players that are pretty skilled, and then we’ve got some that are working on getting better, playing together,” Stalbaum said. “We’re learning each other, I’m learning them, and we’re just excited.”
Newberry volleyball varsity coach Hank Rone has been assisting “Coach B” in organizing the teams to participate in the one-day event.
“Great opportunity for our rising stars in all these programs to get to play in a great venue and against great competition,” Rone said. “I really want to thank Coach Brandon Wilson and Crafty Gemini for putting this on. Their foundation gets the proceeds, and they do wonderful things for our community, which I live in (Alachua).”
Rone and Wilson also collaborated on the 2nd Annual Crafty Gemini Preseason Showdown, a preseason tournament won by Santa Fe and Lafayette (Mayo), plus last year’s All Star game.
“It’s a great partnership that he and I have, and hopefully this will be the first of many to come,” Rone said. “I look forward to an awesome Saturday afternoon and watching these rising stars get their opportunity to shine.”
Rone’s daughter, Hayley, is the JV head coach at Union County.
“We are excited to come to the tournament this weekend,” she said. “We get to play some of the teams in our surrounding areas that we don’t necessarily see throughout the season, so it’ll be fun competing with them.”
Each team is guaranteed four games.
The Rising Stars Classic is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and the next generation of volleyball standouts. Fans can expect exciting
rallies, enthusiastic crowds and an atmosphere full of energy and support.
The doors open at 7:30 a.m. for teams and 7:50 a.m. for spectators. The games begin at 8:30 a.m.
Admission is $7 for students and $10 for adults. There will be a full concession stand, and to celebrate student support, each student with a paid entry will receive a free slice of pizza and a drink.
“A lot of them play together with club, and they know each other, so it’s going to be a fun tournament, I think, for everybody,” Stalbaum said.
For more information, contact: Brandon Wilson at Brandon@craftygeminiyouth.org.