The Tickets to Nationals from Big South & Windy City Qualifiers
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The clubs from the Chesapeake region competed at Big South and Windy City and were represented by Metro Travel 16s, VA Juniors 15s, and Paramount 15s. These teams were able to earn their bid to Nationals from two of the…
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Continue ReadingThe clubs from the Chesapeake region competed at Big South and Windy City and were represented by Metro Travel 16s, VA Juniors 15s, and Paramount 15s. These teams were able to earn their bid to Nationals from two of the high competitive qualifiers.
VA Juniors 15s
VA Juniors 15s team was able to earn their 2nd American bid to Nationals at Big South. The team had a great tournament after staying undefeated on the first and second day. They had one of their outstanding performances of the season. The following players played a big role in helping the team secure another bid. Leni Stanton-Parker Leni Stanton-Parker 6'0" | OH Langley | 2025 State #116 Nation VA was unstoppable, as she dominated the net both in blocking and hitting. She is very explosive and has a fast arm that allows her to beat any blocker she faces across the net. Alayna Harper is a six rotation player with great ball control. Her ability to attack the ball from the back row or front row allowed the team to score some decisive points. Another outstanding player Alexis Ewing Alexis Ewing 6'3" | OH Bullis | 2025 State VA is the go-to player when the team is in trouble. One of the rising setters and 8th grader Megan Phan is the starting 5-1 setter. The 8th-grade setter had control of her game and ran it the way she wanted. Megan was able to help her team offensively and defensively both with blocking and behind the service line.
Metro 16s Travel
The success of the Metro travel 16s team is not a surprise. At Sunshine, the team fell short of earning their first open bid to Nationals due to the absence of some of their key players. However, it was not the same story when the team went to compete at Windy City in Chicago. They finished 3rd with an open bid to Nationals. Having a healthy full roster gave the coach a lot of options to choose from. Without a doubt having Emmerson Sellman on the team gave them hope and confidence to compete against any team. Emmi has the ability to hit the ball at any location on the court, and even her back-row attack was unstoppable. When teams play against her, they always have to have a plan for her. Having Ryla Jones Ryla Jones 6'4" | MB Flint Hill | 2024 State #80 Nation VA back from an injury gave the team a huge help in the middle offensively and defensively. This caused a lot of trouble for their opponents, especially when Madison Bowser Madison Bowser 6'2" | MB Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State VA was in the front row. Both middles did a great job closing the block and running some offense when the setter Erin Debiec Erin Debiec 6'1" | S Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #92 Nation VA chose to vary her offense. Mailinh Godschall Mailinh Godschall 5'7" | DS/L Centennial (MD) | 2024 State #183 Nation VA did an amazing job running the back row. She is a great hustler and took control in the back row.
Paramount 15’s
Paramount 15’s had one of their best volleyball performances of the season at Big South. This success did not come easy. They had to defeat the #1 seed in the tournament to advance to the semi-final. Then, they had to beat a team they lost to on day two to secure a USA bid to Nationals this summer.
Another 8th-grade setter Claire Mo had a fantastic tournament by running the offense throughout the weekend. The coach trusted her to run 5-1 and she was capable of keeping up with other experienced setters. With help from six rotation OH Adriana Perodin Adriana Perodin 5'9" | OH Riverside | 2024 State VA , the team relied on Adriana when finishing the game. She acted as her team’s insurance in the back row and front row. As her coach described, “she was terminal offensively and was one of our best passers.” With Her opposite, Skyler Tennant Skyler Tennant 5'11" | RS Battlefield | 2025 State VA , is another key player on the left front who did a great job of putting the ball down. Kaitlyn Demitz was a great weapon on the right side. She made some big plays when her team needed her. A lot of credit goes to Makenzie Dvorznak, as she helped her team to stay in system. She was one of the best passers all weekend. Middle blockers Simone Schaefer and Brianna Holladay Brianna Holladay 6'2" | MB Riverside | 2025 State VA had a great blocking weekend too, especially when they were facing talented hitters.