Three Trickle Down Bids for 16 and 17 Junior Nationals
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Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Virginia Juniors 17, Vienna Elite 16-L, and American 16 got trickle down bids to compete in the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis in late June/early July. Below are…
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Continue ReadingSometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Virginia Juniors 17, Vienna Elite 16-L, and American 16 got trickle down bids to compete in the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis in late June/early July. Below are some of the players to watch from these three teams.
Virginia Juniors 17
How They Earned Their Bid – The team had a disappointing fifth in the Chesapeake Regional Bid. In the Northeast Qualifier they finished sixth, putting them one spot away from the bid. When the Gulf Coast Regional Bid was reallocated Virginia Juniors got the call to play in the Freedom Division.
Major Tournament Results – In the Sunshine Qualifier they were 19th. The Mid Atlantic Power League in Raleigh and the Capital Hill Classic they finished ninth. Finished second in the National Harbor volleyball tournament.
Players to Watch – Last year the 6’2″ Grace Maria Grace Maria 6'2" | OH Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State #150 Nation VA passed and played defense like a libero, blocked well, but her hitting was inconsistent. She was still able to help Bishop O’Connell win their first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) title since 1995. This year she still passes and plays defense like a libero, blocks well, but her hitting is now terminal. She is rated the number two player in our Virginia class of 2023. If you watched her last year you need to check her out again to see the improvement in her game.
The 6’0″ Summer Campbell Summer Campbell 6'0" | MB Wilson (DC) | 2022 VA was a second team All Met selection, leading her Wilson High School team to a District of Columbia championship, the first public school in D.C. to ever win the championship. It also earned her the Gatorade player of the Year award for the District of Columbia. Summer is committed to Radford University.
Kelsey Holmes Kelsey Holmes 6'0" | S Reservoir (MD) | 2023 State VA is a 6’0″ right side who played a significant role in leading her Reservoir High School team to their first state title since 2007. She can also be called on to set.
The primary setter is the 5’7″ Ava Ray Ava Ray 5'7" | S Riverside | 2023 State VA , who started her volleyball career in Texas as a libero. If you have watched her movement on the court and the sweetness of her hands you can understand why any coach would want her as a setter.
Vienna Elite 16 – L
How They Earned Their Bid – They finished fourth in the Chesapeake Regional Bid. It was only a matter of time before Metro 16 received an Open Bid giving Vienna Elite 16 – L a trickle down American Bid.
Major Tournament Results – 49th in the Northeast Regional and 19th in Salt Lake Qualifier Liberty Division. 22nd in Capital Hill Classic.
Players to Watch – Ankita Kamath may not be the most dynamic player. If you only watch one game you may not notice her. But a coach is motivated to put her in the lineup because of her consistent play. She leads the team in aces with bullet serves that can find any area of the court. She contributes any way she can with her setting and stellar defensive play.
Isha Uppalli is the libero that allows the offense to run. She covers most of the court for serve receive and reads hitters well to make spectacular digs.
Their two middles Sam Ferguson and Taryn Stephenson provide much of the offense. They are not a tall team so they need the quick sets in the middle to open the outsides to one block. Sam also serves bullets that have a downward trajectory as they cross the net.
American 16
How They Earned Their Bid – They received a reallocated bid from the Bayou Region.
Major Tournament Results – They finished fifth in the Chesapeake Regional and third in the Northeast Qualifier in the American Division. They played in the Open Division in the Capital Hill Classic and finished 23rd.
Players to Watch – We did not watch a lot of American volleyball this year. Taelin Connolley provides the offense from the left side. The middles Brianna Washington and Ella Cassarino also contribute to the offense.
Libero Paula Sigurani has a vicious jump serve and keeps rallies alive by preventing balls from hitting the floor. The offense is controlled by setter Melorra Arthur.
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