Nike Steel City Boys Championships 2025

February 8–9 • Pittsburgh, PA

When temperatures drop in Pittsburgh, the energy inside the convention halls and gymnasiums rises—especially during the annual Nike Steel City Boys Championships. From February 8 to 9, teams from across the country descended upon the Steel City to battle for top honors in the 16 Open, 17 Open, and 18 Open divisions. Parents, coaches, and fans flocked to the courts, creating an electric environment that showcased the very best of boys’ club volleyball.

Pittsburgh, known for its iconic steel bridges and friendly local spirit, provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend of intense volleyball. While the winter chill lingered outside, inside the venue it was all about booming kills, spectacular digs, and the roars of supportive spectators. Teams that traveled far took advantage of the city’s vibrant downtown restaurants and took in skyline views along the three rivers, adding extra excitement to an already action‐packed tournament.

16 Open Division

Bright Futures with a Fierce Finish

A total of 32 teams competed in the 16 Open Division, and after a highly competitive weekend, C2 Attack Boys 16 Elite (SO) emerged as the Gold Bracket champions.

Quarterfinals & Semifinals

• C2 Attack continued their dominant play from pool rounds, dispatching Niagara Frontier 16 Gold (WE) and The St. James Boys 16 N (CH) in straight sets to reach the semifinal. There, they encountered Roch PaceBootlegger16 Blk (WE), who had survived a tough three‐set battle of their own. The semifinal clash went three sets, with C2 Attack prevailing 25–19, 25–27, 15–7.
• Venom Black Mambas 16u (CA) powered through their side of the bracket, toppling Adversity South 16 Adidas (GL) before edging out Phoenix 16 Jennings (OV) in a high-drama semifinal (23–25, 25–15, 15–8).

Championship Match

In the final, C2 Attack 16 Elite showcased steady passing, a strong service game, and timely attacks to secure the title in two sets over Venom Black Mambas 16u. Although Venom pushed C2 Attack deep into extra points in Set 2, the Tennessee-based squad (SO) held on for a 25–18, 27–25 victory—finishing the tournament at 7–0.

Podium & Top Finishers

• 1st: C2 Attack Boys 16 Elite (SO)
• 2nd: Venom Black Mambas 16u (CA)
• 3rd: Phoenix 16 Jennings (OV)
• 4th: Roch PaceBootlegger16 Blk (WE)
• T-5th: Adversity VBC 16 Adidas (GL), CInci Attack 16 Black (NK), M18R 16 Boys Black (CH)

This division perfectly illustrated the rising talent in boys’ volleyball, with several matches decided by razor-thin margins. Expect many of these players to make waves in the 17 Open bracket next season.

17 Open Division

Tournament Brackets and Rising Tensions

The 17 Open bracket featured 44 teams battling it out, but the final Sunday Gold Bracket saw the best of the best square off for the title.

Quarterfinal & Semifinal Highlights

• Triangle Boys 17 Black (CR) entered bracket play with a strong pool record and continued to dominate in the quarterfinals (beating Adversity South 17 Adidas in two sets). They then faced PVC Sandlot 17-Blue (KE) in the semis—another team that had posted an impressive 5–0 record entering Sunday. Triangle’s balanced offense and precise serving saw them advance, setting up a gold-medal match.
• C2 Attack Boys 17-1 Elite (SO) showed depth and resilience throughout the tournament. After a tight quarterfinal win, they fought off Adidas KIVA 17B Red (PR) in the semifinal. KIVA’s powerful outside hitting wasn’t enough to stop C2 Attack’s disciplined block-defense system and clutch serving runs.

Championship Thriller

The title bout between Triangle Boys 17 Black (CR) and C2 Attack Boys 17-1 Elite (SO) lived up to its billing:

• Set 1: Triangle jumped out early with strong passing and quick transitions, eventually holding off a late surge from C2 Attack to take it 25–23.
• Set 2: C2 Attack brought plenty of energy but struggled to contain Triangle’s relentless offense. Triangle pulled away in the final points, securing a 25–21 victory and the Gold Medal.

Triangle Boys 17 Black finished a perfect 7–0 on the weekend, dropping no sets (14–0 in total) and proving why they’re a force to watch this season. C2 Attack Boys 17-1 Elite earned a well-deserved second place, showcasing impressive teamwork and hustle.

Final Standings (Top 5)

1. Triangle Boys 17 Black (CR) – 7-0 (14-0 sets)
2. C2 Attack Boys 17-1 Elite (SO) – 6-1 (12-3 sets)
3. Adidas KIVA 17B Red (PR) – 5-1 (10-4 sets)
4. PVC Sandlot 17-Blue (KE) – 5-1 (10-4 sets)
5. Adversity South 17 Adidas (GL) – 6-1 (12-4 sets)
6. Roch PaceBootlegger17 Blk (WE) – 5-2 (??? sets)

18 Open Division

A Final Showcase Before College

For many senior athletes, the 18 Open championship represented the last major club event before they embark on collegiate careers. Forty‐eight teams took the court, but it was SMASH Boys 18-1 (NE) who claimed gold in a dramatic final.

1. SMASH Boys 18-1 (NE) – Champion (6–0)
2. Adversity South 18 Adidas (GL) – Runner‐Up
3. Adversity VBC 18 Adidas (GL)
4. Vanguard 18 Gold Webb (OV)
   T-5. PREVAIL Boys 18 Platinum (KP), Yorktowne 18 Blue (KE)

Road to the Final

• Adversity South 18 Adidas emerged from a loaded bracket section, defeating their sister club, Adversity VBC 18 Adidas, in the semifinals.
• SMASH Boys 18-1 toppled Vanguard 18 Gold Webb (OV) in straight sets, employing strong serves and dynamic hitting to punch their ticket to the championship.

Championship Match

• Adversity South took the opening set, capitalizing on SMASH’s early unforced errors. But SMASH found their rhythm in Set 2, riding a wave of powerful kills to even the match at one set apiece.
• In the decisive third, SMASH stayed aggressive at the service line and outlasted Adversity South in a tense finish, securing the 18 Open title and capping a perfect 6–0 weekend.

The Pittsburgh Experience

Off the court, teams and families explored Pittsburgh’s lively downtown and iconic riverfront. The city’s winter chill was offset by hearty local cuisine and a friendly spirit that made out‐of‐town visitors feel right at home. It’s no wonder the Nike Steel City Boys Championships is quickly becoming a must‐attend annual tradition for clubs looking to face high‐caliber competition.

Key Takeaways

1. 16 Open Thrills – C2 Attack’s narrow final victory over Venom Black Mambas underscored just how deep the younger age groups are becoming.
2. 17 Open Dominance – Triangle Boys 17 Black’s flawless run (14–0 in sets) signals they’ll be major contenders in any national tournament.
3. 18 Open Emotions – Seniors left everything on the court. SMASH Boys 18-1’s three‐set triumph demonstrated the passion and skill these athletes will bring to college programs.
4. Community Spirit – From spectators to local businesses, Pittsburgh proved once again it’s an ideal host city, blending top‐notch sports facilities with a warm, energetic vibe.

As the dust settles on another Nike Steel City Boys Championships, one thing is certain: the level of boys’ volleyball is on a rapid rise. Whether you’re a coach plotting next season, a scout eyeing new recruits, or a fan excited to follow future stars, this tournament offered a thrilling preview of what’s to come. Mark your calendars for next year, because if this year’s showdowns were any indication, you won’t want to miss the next round of volleyball action in the Steel City.